Me: has a ton of posts I was tagged to do and haven’t done yet.
Also me: does a post that nobody tagged me for.
In my defense, I feel like the Unpopular Opinions Book Tag is a quintessential book tag that everyone has to do at some point, and it feels wrong that I haven’t done it yet. The original tag was created by TheBookArcher on Youtube.
Now let’s get into my controversial opinions!
What is a popular book or series that you didn’t like?
The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic
This isn’t exactly a widely popular book/series in the broader world, but I see a ton of people on the internet who love it, whereas I hated it. I don’t even remember why specifically, since I read it almost two years ago. I just remember that I spent the entire book absolutely loathing every character and everything that happened. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ It’s frustrating to me that people always compare this to The Raven Cycle because I NEVER want it to be associated with one of my favorite series!
What is a popular book or series that everyone else seems to hate but you love?
It’s hard to think of something that fits this question, since it’s hard to think of a book that everyone hates. The best thing I can think of is Allegiant by Veronica Roth.
People pretty universally hate the last book in the Divergent trilogy, and I kind of do too at this point. However, when I first read it the day it came out, I actually liked it. Now I realize that the thing that happened at the end of that book was just a bad choice that basically invalidated everything else that happened in the series, whereas then I thought that anything that could make me cry was good.
There are also a lot of other books that people have, for some reason, decided that they hate now (usually because they got too popular) which I still really like, such as The Fault in Our Stars and The Hunger Games.
What is a love triangle in a book or series where the main character ended up with the person you did not want them to end up with?
⚠️⚠️⚠️ spoilers for the Grisha trilogy ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Alina and Mal from Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo...because I didn’t want Alina to end up with anyone.
Alina has several romantic options in this series, and I was not on board for any of them. Not the Darkling because I hate him, not Nikolai because he’s way too good for her, and not Mal because he and Alina the two most boring characters ever. But of course she ended up with Mal, even though I would have been fine with him staying dead at the end of Ruin and Rising.
What is a popular book genre that you hardly reach for?
I rarely read mysteries and thrillers, and when I do, I don’t tend to enjoy them. The only exception is Agatha Christie’s books, of which I’ve read two and thought were amazing. Other than that, though, no thanks.
What is a popular or beloved character that you do not like?
The Darkling from Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Back to this series again! I don’t understand why everyone loves this character!!! Sure, I can understand liking the complex character motivations and thinking he’s a great villain, but sympathizing with him?? Wanting him to have a redemption arc???
There’s a character in King of Scars who (mild spoilers) worships the Darkling and does/says terrible things because of it, and I thought it was an amusing reflection on the people who love the Darkling. But then I saw people talking about how relatable that character was! I! Don’t! Get it!!
To be fair, I don’t usually understand when people love the villains in books, and I know there are a lot of people out there who do.
Who is a popular author that you can’t seem to get into?
Cassandra Clare
I read The Mortal Instruments series (or most of it) when I was in middle school, but I never got fully into it like a lot of people. Now, there are just WAY too many books and series for me to even think about ever catching up, which I have basically no interest in doing anyway.
What is a popular book trope that you are tired of seeing?
INSTA-LOVE.
I’m so tired of this trope that it will significantly lower my enjoyment of a book if it happens. Is it that hard to write relationships that actually develop in a believable way??
What is a popular book or series that you have no interest in reading?
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
It seems like everyone and their cat has read this series – either loving it or hating it – but I never have and I probably never will. I know that these are super popular and beloved in the YA community, but after everything I’ve heard, I think I’d just rather steer clear. Plus, it kind of sounds like everything I hate in YA fantasy so…no thanks.
What is a movie or TV show adaption of a book or series that you like more than the book/s?
Stardust (book by Neil Gaiman)
I liked the Stardust book just fine, but the movie is one of my favorite movies ever, so there’s no comparison. Plus, the two are so different, even just in terms of tone, so I think it’s fine to like them both as separate things.
What are your unpopular bookish opinions? Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts?
x Margaret
I DNF’ed Allegiant like two chapters in because I couldn’t stand the writing, but I actually have no problem with the ending. In the first place, it’s just a bold choice because I think one of the reasons people were mad is because that…doesn’t happen in YA. Endings are generally so happy. Even if they’re not, nothing majorly bad happens. (HP might be an example: lots of people die, but obviously not the IMPORTANT ones. Hermione or Ron would never die!) I also think the ending fits in really well thematically with a lot of what happened in the book, and I believe my co-blogger actually predicted that ending based on the other events in the series. I’ve also seen arguments that the series has Christian undertones (I think just the fact there’s an Abnegation faction might suggest that, since that’s really not a secular value in today’s society), and the main character as the ultimate sacrifice would fit in really well with that, too.
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I can definitely understand that! When I first read Allegiant, I definitely agreed with the fact that it was a really bold choice in a YA field that favors happy or at least bittersweet endings. Now, I don’t think I’d want to read a trilogy that ended like that. Partly is that my tastes have changed since then, I think!
Huh, I’ve never heard the argument that the series has Christian undertones, but I can see where that’s coming from!
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I’m not a huge fan of the Darkling oops (though I’ve read only Shadow and Bone so my opinion might change) like I appreciate his villainy but I don’t find him sexy or anything. I cared much more for the other characters ESPECIALLY Genya. She was my favorite and I will root for a happy ending for her.
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YEP, I definitely think the Darkling is a GREAT villain! But turning him as a sexy character that people love… nope 😬 Genya deserves the world!!!
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I finally caved and read Throne of Glass because you’re so right – it seemed like literally everyone has read it. I felt the pressure – and trust me, you are not missing anything. You will be so good for skipping past. I totally agree with your Grisha thoughts. I would have 20 more times respect if Alina had just gone off alone. Wonderful answers, Margaret! 🙂
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Glad to hear I’m not missing anything 😀 There definitely is a lot of pressure to read it, though! And yep, Alina totally should just have been single 🤷♀️
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ugh I hate Darkling I don’t even remotely understand how he murders thousands of innocent people and everyone still likes him?
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YEAH I don’t get it at all smh 😑
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Yes to the Stardust movie! It’s so good!
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That movie is a masterpiece 😀
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THANK YOU. I honestly don’t get how people love the Darkling and then proceed to call Mal the worst human being ever, who admittedly isn’t great either, but is still relatively an angel compared to The Darkling. It’s like, get your priorities straight. 😂 And yes, Alina should’ve just ended up alone, and Mal totally should’ve stayed dead (sorry Mal).
Oh and same, Sarah J. Maas I have refused to read any more of her books, though for Cassie Clare, I’m still intrigued to find out what the hype is (curiosity kills the cat I guess). But on the flip side, you’ve just convinced me to watch Stardust. Yay. 😉
Great answers btw! Doing a tag you’re not tagged for and ignoring the ones you *were* tagged for….such a mood. 😂
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I’m SO glad you agree about the Darkling!
Yeah, the hype for SJM and Cassie Clare certainly makes their books intriguing…but still not enough to get me to pick them up ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I hope you love Stardust!!!
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Haha more than agree, I am ferociously passionate on that subject! Darkling is super overhyped. 😉
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I love this post! And I agree with almost all of this. I’ve never understood the connection between The Raven Cycle and The Foxhole Court series! They have nothing in common! One is a weird and wonderful story about magic, mythical quests and friendship and the other one’s a story about sport and crime? I don’t see it. Maybe if I read the rest of the series, I would, but that’s not going to happen so 😂
The fact that I’ve finished the Mortal Instruments remains one of life’s mysteries. I never finish series and I didn’t even like that one. It must’ve been an easy read!
I do love my villains though, they’re just so much more entertaining! And the Darkling is an amazing villain!
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Yeah, I have no clue why TRC and The Foxhole Court are compared so often. Makes no sense to me. I’m also not planning to finish the series, so I guess I’ll never find out either!
I definitely think the Darkling is GREAT as a villain! I just don’t understand why he’s romanticized 😬
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I think the same about Insta-love, I’m tired of that trope, there’s nothing better than a slow-burn romance 😍😍
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I also don’t understand all the love for the Darkling! Yes, I thought he was a great villain, and before I figured out he was up to no good, I was definitely intrigued by him, but UGHHHHHH that ending in King of Scars made me SO MAD.
I also haven’t read a single thing by Maas, and after all the things I’ve heard–probably going to steer clear, as well.
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The Darkling is definitely intriguing as a villain and as a character, but that doesn’t mean I like him 🤷♀️ And yeah, everything I’ve heard about SJM’s books makes me want to read them even less.
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Okay but the way you started this post, I feel attacked haha this is so me, doing a tag no one tagged me for when I have tons of tags to get to hahahaha.
I’m glad you did this one, I loved reading your answers so much! 🙂 I’m glad you mentioned Cassandra Clare… I only read the first book in the series and kind of lost interest in continuing, at all, and I feel a little bit like a black sheep haha. SO happy I’m not the only one 🙂 and I also have no interest in reading the TOG series, not for me ahha 🙂
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Yeahhh, I’m not good about doing the tags that I was actually tagged for 😬
Haha, I feel like with this post I’m finding all the people who don’t like/haven’t read Cassandra Clare or TOG! Glad to hear I’m not the only one for those!
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Ahh so agree about Foxhole court- I hated it so much! The characters are awful. And people compare it to the Raven Cycle? REALLY?! That’s so wrong. I didn’t hate Allegiant at the time either (though I get people’s strong feelings on that score). So so agree about Mal and Alina- I agree she shouldn’t have ended up with anyone. I’m completely sick of instalove too. Definitely agree about Stardust as well- love that movie!!
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Ugh yeah, the fact that people compare TFC to TRC is a source of endless frustration to me. Glad to hear that I’m not the only one who didn’t originally hate Allegiant – that seems to be pretty rare!
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