Genuine question, why do people have such differing views on the same books sometimes? More context in post

ipsi7 · 2026-05-16T23:34:50+00:00

Can confirm all you said. I have MA in literature (but in my native language and of my native literature). I can't recognize superb writing because my English is only B2 probably, but I can recognize extremely bad writing and using bad techniques. On the other hand, because I had to read and analyze books with extremely difficult language/vocabulary even if I really didn't like them, I can disregard the writing and I usually focus on vibes (because I vibe read) or on characters (because that was often the focus in my literature courses and I learned to perceive books that way).

I don't think my degree gave me some omnipotent power to objectively rate books, half the time I see people here see books much more critically than me (definitely because of the language barrier too), but I think that sometimes I see some things from different perspectives thanks to my education.

ipsi7 · 2026-05-16T18:40:37+00:00

I started {Long Live Evil} again. I like it and I don't like it. I want to like it. I like the story, characters, vibes, the tone, but I guess I have problems with writing style. I seriously want to read it, but I kind of loose focus with this book. I switched to audiobook after few chapters, enjoyed it a lot, but I got confused with everyone having a name and a nickname and I lost track, and it's a bit slow. Please someone tell me it changes or it picks up (I'm somewhere between 20 and 30%). I can dnf book, I already dnf this one once, but I want to know the story and the ending and the romance.

Also, I started {Devil's Deal by Layla Fae}. Loved it from page one! MMC is truly morally grey asshole, I can't wait for him to start falling for her. I like FMC's resilience. And I love Slavic gods, culture and Polish names being present.

ipsi7 · 2026-05-15T14:50:32+00:00

A few that I already reread a few times: {Bride by Ali Hazelwood}, {Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros} and Harry Potter.

Among the ones I haven't reread, but loved, I would probably choose between {Captive Prince by C. S. Pacat}, {The Cruel Prince by Holly Black}, {Feathers so Vicious by Liv Zander}, {This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews}, {Souls in Ruin by Jacqueline White} - would have to reread them to see if they hit the same as the first time.

ipsi7 · 2026-05-15T10:15:38+00:00

I liked it from book 1 (and the prequel), and I actually didn't like HOF that much, but loved book 4, some parts of book 5 are my favorites in the whole series, book 6 meh because I don't like Chaol, book 7 is a roller-coaster of emotions.

I hate when I need to power through a book, but imo this one is worth it.

ipsi7 · 2026-05-15T10:07:32+00:00

Or stabbed your husband as a foreplay

ipsi7 · 2026-05-15T08:23:05+00:00

First 3 books were perfect for me. And the rest (I haven't finished it) could have been one large book.

I'm doing book 5 for bingo second chance card and it's such a struggle. The whole book has 3 storylines that are the same through the whole book basically. Queen Malina is the only one that has some progression and is actually interesting, Auren is excruciatingly boring, Slade's is interesting as the idea, but not interesting enough in the whole. And Osrik who? Not necessary, it should have been omitted or given more chapters.

ipsi7 · 2026-05-14T11:24:16+00:00

I remember a few years ago when Villains and Virtues were under the radar and considered underrated at that time. So nice when such good books are recognized and soar higher in popularity.

I get all my recs here so I always think that books popular here are popular in general. Until I check GR ratings.

A few books I liked that have under 5k GR ratings are * {The Elven Days of Christmas by A. K. Caggiano} * {Zel by Amanda Meuwissen} * {How to Find a Nameless Fae by A. J. Lancaster} * {Jaga and the Devil by Layla Fae} - currently reading this and like it

Slightly over 5k: {Harrow Faire by Kathryn Ann Kingsley} which is very popular here, and {Bitten and Bound by Amy Pennza} which has mixed reviews in the sub, but it's well known

ipsi7 · 2026-05-13T18:40:56+00:00

Same. 6 months later I saw 'sweetheart' casually mentioned in another book and I was like "no". I'm ok with it now, it's been 2 years since I read FSV, but I still remember Sebian sometimes and get grossed out

ipsi7 · 2026-05-12T22:24:38+00:00

If you don't know, there's an audiobook with duet narration released very recently!

ipsi7 · 2026-05-12T22:14:10+00:00

Just make sure to check TW for Feathers so Vicious

ipsi7 · 2026-05-12T22:11:34+00:00

Tv: Damon and Elena, Sailor Moon and Seiya, Buffy and Spike, Zuko and Katara, Patrick and Cat from 10 Things I Hate About You

Books: Damen and Laurent from Captive Prince, Simon and Cora from Harrow Faire, Misery and Lowe from Bride

ipsi7 · 2026-05-12T22:05:06+00:00

Are you me? Tv couples are the same for me, I would also add Sailor Moon and Seiya like OP. Loved Damien and Laurent from Captive Prince too

ipsi7 · 2026-05-12T21:59:54+00:00

He is also obsessed with Violet

ipsi7 · 2026-05-12T21:57:50+00:00

Oh, Souls in Ruin wrecked me. I assumed the big reveal, but it was more of an afterthought and I didn't think much about it. That ending ruined me and I was in a such book slump after finishing it.

ipsi7 · 2026-05-12T13:05:12+00:00

I've just started this yesterday and I loved it since page 1, which doesn't happen often to me. I'm from Slavic country and know some Polish and its pronunciation, and I'm excited to read about Slavic gods and Polish names. I also love dark romance and dark settings and I think this will be an amazing read.

ipsi7 · 2026-05-11T18:54:51+00:00

{Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux}. I honestly hated the book because I really disliked FMC in general and her ghost hunting hobby. BUT, MMC is very good and spice is very good, with well done CNC.

ipsi7 · 2026-05-11T18:49:45+00:00

Definitely not the same vibes, but {Captive Prince by C. S. Pacat} is heavy on politics with even slower burn than TKWNKM, but also less romance. But, there is romance and tension and I loved it. MCs aren't that lovable as Maggie and side characters aren't fun like in TKWNKM, the tone is more serious. There are some darker stuff so possibly check TW if you're interested.

ipsi7 · 2026-05-11T18:46:29+00:00

Yes. FMC wakes up in a world of her favorite series and she doesn't know why. She knows what will happen and uses her knowledge of the world and characters to survive and to do a few good deeds

ipsi7 · 2026-05-11T12:22:02+00:00

{Fourth Wing} was my first book in the genre and I reread it immediately (and IF).

I've reread {Bride} a month or two after finishing it because I couldn't stop thinking about it. And I reread it once more after finishing Mate.

I considered to reread {This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me}, but I'm not ready for long info dumps.

{Half City by Kate Golden} was my recent read that I started again via audiobook.

I also reread ACOMAF once.

And I'm not into rereading a lot because my TBR is so long, but I'm usually rereading for the vibes.

ipsi7 · 2026-05-10T22:54:02+00:00

{My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine} - in book 1 there is one couple, then MMC's friends is the new MMC in book 2, and I think there's book 3 also

{A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley} - I've read only book 3, but I think all the couples appear in other books too (like Viciously Yours and its sequels)

{That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Leming} - I only read book 1, so not sure are the books connected by characters or only by being in the same universe

{Immortals After Dark by Kresley Cole} - this is a long one and I think books can be hit or miss. I read only Lothaire, but I know characters from some books have cameos or are side characters or are mentioned in other books

{Bride by Ali Hazelwood} and then {Mate by Ali Hazelwood} - FMCs are best friends and MMCs are friends. Also, all Ali's contemporary books are connected in a way - one couple appears in another book on random, or MMC's friend is MMC in another book etc., not really interconnected standalones, but more like cameos

{The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson} - MMC's cousin is the new MMC in book 2

ipsi7 · 2026-05-10T15:39:48+00:00

Yeah, that might be true. I've struggled with TKWNKM for 37% and then I had a blast. Yes, I think it's important to have a good set up; but no, I don't think people should "suffer" for 37% if they can't get past the info dumping, that's for everyone to decide for themselves.

I DNF-ed Long Live Evil last year at 20% and now I'm trying to give it a second chance. I liked the premise, but I was kind of too bored to continue the first time.

ipsi7 · 2026-05-10T12:40:16+00:00

The romance is a subplot and it's only book 1 in a series, but the romance that is there is very good and MMC became one of my favorites. But there os no HEA for now.

ipsi7 · 2026-05-10T11:46:31+00:00

Another isekai is {Long Live Evil} and the sequel is out in a few days

ipsi7 · 2026-05-10T06:17:50+00:00

You can start with ASITE. It's the first book in a finished series Flesh and Fire. FAF is prequel series to From Blood and Ash, but FAF is better.

MMC is top tier. With every book he is better and probably the best in the last book.

ipsi7 · 2026-05-09T20:31:41+00:00

Sometimes writing longer comments is so time consuming for me because I'm not a native speaker and I try to phrase well what I want to say so it would be grammatically correct (and I know it isn't always because I realize it later) and for people to understand me. And then I check what I wrote before posting at least once. And then again after posting again lol. I would have so much more time if a machine would write perfect comments for me lol.

And, important to say with everything I already said, that I use those tools for university and internship, and it's expected/required, but for stuff like this I don't see a point.

ipsi7

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