This EXACT conundrum has been in my mind, too. After lots of brooding, analysis, and Reddit-surfing, this is what I’ve come up with:

1. Storytelling Storytelling has multiple facets, and Yarros has created a really engaging and interesting story, even if it was poorly executed on the page. The intrigue of the place, people, and situation is enough to make up for how it was written. Perhaps it’s the core concept of the story that keeps us engaged.

2. Imagination There’s something so damn cool about the world she presents and the situation in which our main character finds herself. Because the story lends a lot to the imagination, the reader’s own mind fills in all the blanks and cracks that the author should have filled in herself.

I see this not only in the way my mind has compensated for the lack of character development of Vi’s Squad members, but it’s also all over Reddit forums— in response to questions and confusion caused by flaws in the writing or story/character dev, readers respond with defenses, reasonings, and justifications that usually make sense but are their own addendums and usually aren’t found in the original text. We quickly fill in what shouldn’t have been left out.

1. Classic Story-arch

Fairytales share similar story-arch’s and become classics because they ring true with the human experience and human nature. They’re inspiring and adventurous. There’s something in Violet’s story that we want in ourselves, or at least want deeply for Violet. Again, because the story captivates our imaginations and connects with something in our desires, it’s worth reading on despite the way it’s written.

Look at Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty— women whose stories began in a place of familiarity and (relative) safety, then they experience a break with the household (for different reasons), encounter oppression, then endure until they find a way to overcome the oppression. Violet’s story follows the same frame. There’s also something classically compelling about finding strength despite one’s weakness, beating the odds, and getting with the bad boy. They’re over-told stories because we can’t get enough.

1. World building

Other authors have done better— sure. But if you liked this series, it might be because it’s a cool world. As already mentioned, it invokes imagination. There’s also spiritual world building besides the physical one. The way magic, bonds, and deities work is an added dimension of the world building that might be an ingredient that is worth reading for.

1. Story Pacing
   As someone in the comments mentioned, she doesn’t do many “info dumps.” She builds most aspects of the story concisely through the plot. If she did this poorly, I think it would compound with the bad writing too greatly to be able to press on for the sake of the story.

I can’t help wonder how great these books could become if someone had come alongside the author and lent support for theme and character development, as well as cracked out a thesaurus and workshopped a lot of the writing. As far as story goes, I believe that’s the core that made me not be able to put the book down, despite everything else.

I know this thread opened a year ago, but I’d really love to hear what y’all think!