This tag was originally created by Jes Reads Books on YouTube and I found it over at Misty’s Book Space. Misty’s a great blogger, if you’re not already reading her stuff then you should check it out. 🙂

Hopelessly Devoted: Name two characters that you ship…but nobody else does

Going with Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson for this one, although I’m breaking the rules because it’s not two characters. I kind of ship Elisabeth/Nathaniel/Silas. Welp, now that you all know how much of a weirdo I am…moving on.

Damsel In Distress: Name a female MC who didn’t need a man to complete her

 

I loved Goewin in The Winter Prince by Elizabeth Wein, so I was excited when she was the protagonist of the next book, A Coalition of Lions. Although this DOES have a romance in it, our main character proves over and over that she’s more than capable of taking care of things on her own. I really need to read the rest of the books in this series.

Love at first sight: Name a book that made instalove work for you.

Oh, instalove. I’m not sure I’m ever a huge fan of instalove, but I guess in some cases I don’t mind it? This is a tough one to think of because generally the only time I recognize this trope is when it’s annoying me, any other time I happily overlook, LOL. If I’m remembering right, Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl had a pretty strong instalove in it, still enjoyed those books for the most part.

Mental Illness As A Quirk: Name a book that represented mental illness well

I don’t really love the idea of mental illness as a ‘quirk’, especially as someone with mental illness issues–it’s not a quirk, it’s not cute, and it’s just part of who we are. But anyway. I really love the way The Poppy War and The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang show Rin experiencing PTSD. It’s also clear from the beginning of the story that she may already have some…other mental health issues. I don’t think her way of dealing with things is healthy, but it feels super realistic. Also, I’m sick of stories showing people going through literal hellscapes and having them come out the other side virtually undamaged, mentally.

The Chosen One: Name a main character that did (or almost did) ruin a series for you

I really, really, really disliked the main protagonist of Mage Against the Machine by Shaun Barger. There were some other things about the book that made it not work for me as well, but the protagonist was one of the things I had a hard time moving past.

Friends to Lovers: Name a duo that went from friendship goals to relationship goals

Ooh, ooh, I know this one! 😀  Recently read this delightful little fantasy romance novella by Stephanie Burgis, The Art of Deception. It’s a wonderful story about a two adults, one an innkeep, and the other a retired swordsman, who are friends (with benefits) who eventually realize what they mean to each other. Okay, wait, so maybe this is cheating a bit since technically they were already lovers, but I’m using it here anyway.

Amnesia: Name a book you would forget for one reason or another

 

I really didn’t like Exile by Anne Logston. At all. Nothing about this one worked for me, the characters had terrible arcs and weren’t all that likable to begin with. The setting felt generic. Yes, I will tell you how I really feel. 🙂  I’d like to burn this one from my memory .

Bad Boys: Name your favorite villain or anti-hero

I love a villain that you can hate. And I hate the villain of Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey with the burning passion of ten thousand suns. The worst is because of Phedre’s history with them, and how Phedre is like ‘I just can’t quit you’ after EVERYTHING. lololololol

Missing Parents or Adults: Name a book that could have benefited from a bit of parental guidance or adult supervision

I’m not sure what this one is asking LOL. I’m going to go with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling though. Even though Dumbledore does help them out now and then he largely leaves things up to Harry and his gang to solve, and in the beginning they’re still super young and dealing with really dangerous stuff. I’m glad that as they got older they started working alongside the adults, but they sure could have used some more adults helping out when they first started.

Girl\Guy Gang: Best rag tag group of characters

I’m going to have to agree with Misty’s pick here and go with Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. I LOVE these characters. The gang here is damn near perfect and I was incredibly sad when we had to say good bye to this group. Plus, these books have some sweet heist action!

That’s it for this tag. What did you think of my answers? Not tagging anyone in this, but if you feel like filling it out then consider yourself tagged. 😀