MiddleBookSyndrome

An Instruction in Shadow | Benedict Jacka

so-so

Second book in #UrbanFantasy series. It ends with a cliffhanger.

I'm not quite sure what happened in this book. I mean, things happened, but it all feels like it was world-building and preparation for the big finish.

#MiddleBookSyndrome

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65

TheSpineView Great job! 2mo

49 likes1 comment

julesG

Elusive | GENEVIEVE. COGMAN

so-so

Second book in the Scarlet Revolution series suffers from #MiddleBookSyndrome

The plot dragged on. It was too much about Eleanor being in her own head and asking the same questions over and over. The second half of the novel picks up the pace a bit, but by that point I was tired of reading "What would Sir Percy do?" or "If only Sir Percy was here," as well as reading about Eleanor getting into trouble just to prove her point.

#NetGalley #ARC

julesG #SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65 8mo

TheSpineView Fantastic! 8mo

TrishB Oh no! Loved the first one. 8mo

julesG @TrishB I am hoping book 3 is going to be stronger. As for Elusive, it has Mont St Michel and magic and vampires with more than one agenda. 8mo

56 likes4 comments

RaeLovesToRead

The Dark Volume | Gordon Dahlquist

so-so

Re-read this unnecessary sequel so that I can finally finish the series.

I'd forgotten most of what happened and - to be honest - it was so confusing and long winded that I struggled to follow what was going on a lot of the time.

I'd struggle to truly hate any book set in this world (the aesthetic is just so 😍😍😍), but this is for die-hard fans only!

I hope the 3rd book is better, but I'm not holding out much hope...

julesG #MiddleBookSyndrome perhaps 1y

Bookwomble I'm in the same position. Loved the first book (despite a degree of creepy ickyness), was "meh" about this sequel, and have the third book, because I do like the concept, but haven't mustered up the enthusiasm. I'll be interested to see what you think I'd you manage the final installment. 1y

RaeLovesToRead @julesG Let's hope so!! 1y

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RaeLovesToRead @Bookwomble I adored #1, this was 😐... I think part of the reason why I haven't finished the series is because then I will have no more of it to read 😢 Also... as long as I don't read it, I don't have to face the possibility of it being rubbish! 🤣 1y

Branwen Is that hot chocolate?! 😋💕 1y

RaeLovesToRead @Branwen You bet!! 😁 1y

68 likes6 comments

julesG

The Shadow Cabinet: A Novel | Juno Dawson

pick

That escalated quickly.

It was weird. And there were more deaths and explicit 🛌 scenes than I expected.

Did not see the twist at the end coming. And now I need to wait for the next book because of the cliffhanger ending.

#SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView @Andrew65

TheSpineView Fantastic! 1y

PirateJenny It's hard to say a lot about this one without spoiling the first! Also Juno does cliffhangers beautifully. (I haven't finished just yet) 1y

Hooked_on_books There was a lot of darkness and violence in this one. I liked the first one better, though I still enjoyed this. 1y

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julesG @PirateJenny It is hard to say much more than "I liked it" without putting spoilers out there. You're right. 1y

julesG @Hooked_on_books Yes, I liked the first one better, too. I didn't want to write the second has #MiddleBookSyndrome, because it doesn't, but it was darker than I had expected. 1y

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 1y

80 likes1 stack add6 comments

julesG

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun | Elle Cosimano

pick

Enjoyed this, but it's my least favourite of the three books in the series. It has #MiddleBookSyndrome, builds up the stage for book 4, but nothing much new happens. And just when you think Finlay manages to take a step forward in the right direction the ending makes you wonder whether she's just stepped back two steps.

I agree w/ some other reviews: it's time to wrap this up.

#SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView @Andrew65
#MarvellousMarch

TheSpineView Great job! 2y

Andrew65 Well done on competing it 👏👏👏 2y

72 likes1 stack add2 comments

julesG

Dispatcher: Murder by Other Means | John Scalzi

pick

#SeriesLove2023 #JoyousJanuary #readathon

Not as strong as the first book in the series, #MiddleBookSyndrome?

Tony does a few odd jobs and all of a sudden he's implicated in a bank robbery and has to fear for his own life.

@TheSpineView @Andrew65