most disappointing books of the year // 2020

TL;DR

Reviews of the most disappointing books of 2020 with critical insights and analysis.

Transcript

hello and welcome my friends the time has come to talk about the worst books of the year well that's a little dramatic really these are like just my most disappointing reads of the year for my most disappointing books i have eight to talk about and the very first one is a daughter of the burning city by amanda foody i read this book in a 24-hour re... Read More

Key Insights

• 🖤 Character development lacking in "A Daughter of the Burning City" leads to a lack of emotional engagement.
• 😥 "The Phoenix Empress" disappoints with overdramatic elements and a focus on superficial romance over substance.
• 😡 "The Rage of Dragons" suffers from repetitive storytelling, monotonous character perspectives, and missed opportunities for diverse viewpoints.
• 🫓 "The City in the Middle of the Night" struggles with unresolved conflicts, flat characters, and ineffective world-building.
• 🖤 "Bent Heavens" fails to create empathetic characters, predictable plot twists, and a lack of depth in narrative.
• 😚 "Infinity Sun" loses impact with flat characterizations, poor world-building, and predictable plot elements.
• 🧑‍⚕️ "The Wives" relies on stereotypes, cheap plot twists, and insensitive treatment of mental health and infertility.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was the general theme of the book "A Daughter of the Burning City" by Amanda Foody?

"A Daughter of the Burning City" is a YA fantasy novel following Serina, a 16-year-old illusion worker in a circus, whose illusions become real. When one of her illusions is murdered, she faces questions about reality and identity.

Q: What were the main disappointments in "The Phoenix Empress" by K. Arsenault Rivera?

"The Phoenix Empress" disappoints with a lackluster plot structure, overdramatic character interactions, and no substantial character development, focusing solely on a romantic relationship without depth or growth.

Q: How did "The Rage of Dragons" by Evan Winter fail to meet expectations?

Despite promising elements such as war, military tactics, and dragons, "The Rage of Dragons" fell short with a monotonous, repetitive plot, lack of character growth, and missed opportunities for world-building and diverse perspectives.

Q: What were the major shortcomings of "The City in the Middle of the Night" by Charlie Jane Anders?

"The City in the Middle of the Night" lacked a coherent narrative, with unresolved conflicts, flat characters, poor world-building, and uneventful plot progression, leaving readers with a sense of confusion and disappointment.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A critical review of the most disappointing reads of 2020, covering eight books in detail.

• Each book discussed, highlighting key plot points, character analysis, and critical opinions.

• Detailed insights on the shortcomings of each book, including plot predictability, character development, and writing style.