I read my worst book of 2023 and two of the best

Рет қаралды 5,031

Күн бұрын

Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro
00:40 Senlin Ascends
03:35 Silver Nitrate
05:32 The Helm of Midnight
07:15 The Deep Sky
08:57 Starsight
10:34 Shades of Magic Trilogy
14:54 The Grace of Kings
Booktubers mentioned:
Elliot: / @ebnovels
Jessi: / @thebookishmom
Roger: / @rodgersreads
Kristin: / @merrilykristin
Steph: / @stephaniebookish
Shades of Magic Livestream: • SHADES OF MAGIC TRILOG...
The Fragile Threads of Power Livestream: • THREADS OF POWER ~ spo...
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Equipment Used:
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Пікірлер: 93

@NotSoAverageJo 8 ай бұрын

I LOVE Schwab’s ideas but I don’t tend to love the actual execution of them… I’ve read 6 Schwab books and I always feel like something is missing🙃

@Yesica1993 8 ай бұрын

I read the first one and couldn't tell you a darned thing about it!

@NotSoAverageJo 8 ай бұрын

@@Yesica1993 I read the first two & quit because I disliked GOS so much🤣 I was B-O-R-E-D

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

I hear this sentiment a lot when it comes to her work! That's a bummer you've gotten through 6 though 🤣 Was one of them Addie LaRue?? That's actually my favorite of hers!

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

@@Yesica1993 😅

@NotSoAverageJo 8 ай бұрын

@@ToriMorrow I actually bopped out of there before Addie LaRue was even announced🤣🫣

@merphynapierreviews 8 ай бұрын

The Dandelion Dynasty is SO GOOD! I'm so glad you loved it! Wall of Storms is even better - I can't wait to hear your thoughts on book two!

@SarahAsYouWish 8 ай бұрын

Our reading tastes don’t overlap much, but I always love your videos. I loved the writing/prose in Senlin Ascends and thought the character work in that series is really nuanced and well done. Glad you found some 5 ⭐️ books.

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

Aw thank you! And it’s nice to see your different take on Senlin! I’m glad you enjoyed it ❤️

@ariannaelene1 8 ай бұрын

This is my first video of yours and I’ll definitely be back! I love how you describe why a book wasn’t for you instead of revealing the entire plot line and/or bashing the author. I’ve recently got back into reading after a verrryyyy long hiatus and i’m making it a goal to read much more going into 2024. I’ll be starting here to make a list of books I want to look into and hopefully be able to chat about them with you soon ♥️ thank you for an awesome and inspiring video.

@availandco 8 ай бұрын

:/ the premise of Senlin Ascends sounds so intriguing

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

It is! That’s why I can’t believe how much I ended up disliking it 😭

@gkrawiecgkrawiec4864 8 ай бұрын

I loved the Dandelion Dynasty and the entire trilogy. I would really like Ken Liu to get more recognition for this trilogy than he is currently given.

@sharihoutman 8 ай бұрын

THANK YOU! So many people on Booktube have been singing Senlin Ascends' praises that I felt like I must have read the wrong book. I had a hard time empathizing with Senlin and the overall story didn't hold my interest. I've read the first book in the Shades of Magic trilogy and I have the other 2. I keep meaning to read them but there are always more interesting books that get in the way. Which I guess is my long-winded way of saying I agree with you. Currently, I'm on book 6 of the Expanse series which has become my new favorite comfort read. I'm so in love with these characters! I'm hoping to finish the series this year but at the same time I don't want it to end. I know that's never happened to you. LOL

@ThatsSoPoe 8 ай бұрын

Yay that you had some great reads to balance out the mediocre ones. The premise of Senlin Ascends always annoys me (why is the story not from the wife's perspective...?). Also, cute pony tail & cute fall decorations!

@abetterjulie 7 ай бұрын

I probably should wait to the end of the video to comment, but I need to say how much I agree with your take on Senlin Ascends. I was pulled in by the cover and concept, but ended up just drifting away and never finishing the book.

@PeachyKeen10 8 ай бұрын

Completely agree about Senlin Ascends. I expected it to be good but the writing was dull, MC was dumb, and the setting of awful people made me anxious. I recently read a Darker Shade of Magic and it was so meh. You convinced me not to continue with the series. ;)

@lmac3869 8 ай бұрын

I read the first Darker Shade book but wasn't compelled to continue. I just borrowed The Grace of Kings from Libby.

@caprisbookisland 3 ай бұрын

I’m about to start the grace of kings audiobook but I haven’t heard anyone describe it like that love the way you broke it down

@jennychasteen 8 ай бұрын

I agree with your thoughts on the Skyward series--I'm really interested to hear what you think of Cytonic when you read it! 😃

@JaneTheBrain. 8 ай бұрын

yes more hype for Helm of Midnight!!!

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

It was so good!! 😩

@xYuusu 7 ай бұрын

Girl how am I just finding your channel?? We have such similar tastes, The Grace of Kings was also one of my top reads this year! Subscribed, excited to hear more from you 💕

@ToriMorrow 7 ай бұрын

Yay, welcome to the channel! 🥰❤️

@tine272 8 ай бұрын

i do not need another series going for me atm but damn you just convinced me to pick up Grace of Kings now 😭

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

YES!! I really hope you enjoy it!

@jennychasteen 8 ай бұрын

Same here! I was already convinced by one of Tori's previous videos... but where to put it on the TBR??? 😂

@haley5803 8 ай бұрын

I read The Helm of Midnight based on your update video a few weeks ago. It was soooo good! 5/5 😍

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

Yes!! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it 🙌🏽

@MaedBetweenthePages 8 ай бұрын

I started The Helm of Midnight last year thinking it was a quick who dunnit but I quickly realized it was much more complex so I put it down for later. This is probably my sign to finally pick it back up! 👀 Completely agree about The Darker Shades of Magic series! The only Book I actually still remember is A Gathering of Shadows and that’s because Lila was the main focus… YESSS I love hearing other people get on the Dandelion Dynasty train 😍 so excited for you to read The Wall of Storms…one of the best sequels I’ve ever read.

@christin4605 8 ай бұрын

🙌🏼 You did a great job of describing The Helm of Midnight. It’s so difficult to summarize, and your excitement definitely came through. I hope more people will pick the series up. I can’t wait for your reaction to book 2! Also, I finished Starsight and continued with the first two novellas. They were fine. I’m nervous for the rest of the series though. 😅

@stormeyedselkie 7 ай бұрын

The Helm of Midnight sounds so interesting and I do love a unique plot so I will definitely be picking it up.

@tysbookcorner 8 ай бұрын

I’ve had Senlin Ascends on my TBR for a long time, I was always hesitant to pick it because I never knew if I was going to actually like it. After your review it just got moved farther down my TBR 🤭 I’m glad you enjoyed The Deep Sky, that one didn’t work for me, I just couldn’t get into it but great review!!

@Johanna_reads 8 ай бұрын

I have a copy of Senlin Ascends, but I’m tempted to unhaul it because I’m so scared I’ll find it boring as well. 😅 Glad to hear you had some really awesome reads to balance that out. I’m excited to get to the Dandelion Dynasty!

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

I’m so excited for you to start the dandelion dynasty 🙌🏽 And give Senlin a try if it’s already on your tbr! If it’s not grabbing you after that 2nd level, then you can put it down 😂

@protagonistspub 8 ай бұрын

Senlin was beautifully written but beyond dull. Congrats on finishing it, I DNF'd and never thought about it again. Bancroft can compose amazing prose that says nothing and goes nowhere.

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

I should've DNFd it! 😭 I kept hanging on thinking each floor was going to get better smh

@protagonistspub 8 ай бұрын

@@ToriMorrow I think you aren't a think far too many readers get sucked into the hype for this book and are left frustrated and unsatisfied by the end. 😐🙂

@devlyn873 8 ай бұрын

I really loved The Deep Sky! I'm excited to see someone else read it too! 🌌🚀

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

Yeah it was a good read! Looking forward to more of Kitasei’s work in the future!

@aden.e 8 ай бұрын

i tried to read the helm of midnight in 2021 and set it down but your excitement has me really ready to revisit it!!

@aden.e 8 ай бұрын

also i’m so excited for the grace of kings your enthusiasm is contagious i want it to read it asap

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

I really hope you do soon! It’s so good 😩

@jacsYT 8 ай бұрын

you put into words how i felt about senlin ascends. i didn’t want to dnf the series so started arm of sphinx and… it didn’t get better after the first few chapters. i put it down one day and never picked it back up

@Yesica1993 8 ай бұрын

That really is a disappointment. It's been on my radar for a long time because the premise sounded different and cool!

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

I’m sorry it didn’t work for you either! And it’s so disappointing becuase the premise is amazing 😩

@MacKenzieM24 8 ай бұрын

Not book related but I love the leaf decor for fall you have on your shelves. 🍁🍁🍁

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

Thank you!! 🍁❤️

@OnefortheBooks 8 ай бұрын

I just read Silver Nitrate and thought the same thing. I actually have a video going up on my channel tomorrow where I review and tier-rank seven Silvia Moreno-Garcia books. (Spoiler: if you've already read Certain Dark Things, you've read her best work). Right now I'm reading the Daevabad Trilogy and it's one of my favorites of the year.

@katieamarsh 8 ай бұрын

I finally dnf’ed Senlin after trying to push through for months. I wanted to love it but it just didn’t do anything for me. Dandelion Dynasty sounds amazing. I have meant to read it for years!

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

I should've dnf'd senlin 😭 I came out of it thinking there's no way I just read the same book as everyone else lol

@LectoraEstherica 8 ай бұрын

The same for me with Silvia Moreno García: loved Mexican gothic, so so with Velvet was the night. I have to read Certain dark things, 🤞🏻

@mariareadsssf 8 ай бұрын

Ken Liu is brilliant. "The Dandelion Dynasty" is my favorite reading experience of the year and my favorite Fantasy series.

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

I can see why it’s your favorite series! Really hoping it’ll become mine too by the end

@crazybiogeek 7 ай бұрын

I keep hearing such mixed reviews of Senlin Ascends. Still too bad that you didn't enjoy it, cause we never start reading a book for fun expecting it to be boring. My question is- when you don't enjoy a book like that and already have the 2nd one, do you just unhaul them? What's the unhaul policy on books like that? I've been getting better about passing on books to new homes when I'm not interested in rereading it.

@AJennWhoReads 8 ай бұрын

Ken Lui is a must read for me in 2024 as well as the darker shades books!

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

I can’t wait for you to start reading Ken Liu!! He’s incredible

@andrewf7732 8 ай бұрын

Yes, The Grace of Kings is phenomenal. Happy you loved it. Just wait for the sequel. Your jaw is going to drop it’s so good.

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

The fact it gets better than book 1 is unreal! 😄 I'm so excited to keep reading this series!

@Yesica1993 8 ай бұрын

Oh, it's series? Do you know if it is complete? I'm hesitant to start on series until they're done. I've seen the suffering of the Game of Thrones fans. I don't want to be left hanging that way!

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

@@Yesica1993 yes! It’s complete

@Yesica1993 8 ай бұрын

Yay! This may be my first major read for 2024. Thanks again.@@ToriMorrow

@michellesreadingshelf 8 ай бұрын

I feel validated regarding Senlin ascends. I dnf’d pretty early on and have no regrets. So interesting what hits for different readers. Some of my favs are not necessarily popular. 📚👍

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

You were right to dnf it! I probably should have done that too lol

@Yesica1993 8 ай бұрын

I'm one of those people who rarely notices covers. (Though, watching Booktube, I am starting to notice them more.) But The Grace of Kings cover always caught me when I'd see it at the store. I may have to dive in maybe this coming year. I don't think I've heard a negative review yet!

@Yesica1993 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for the heads up that he is a short story writer. I think I'd heard that mentioned somewhere, but I had forgotten. This will help me if I start to read it and it feels that way. As long as there's some overarching narrative and some level of resolution, that's fine.

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

It’s an incredible read! I really hope you love it. And his short stories are fantastic! I highly recommend giving some of them a try as well ☺️

@ambernicoletv8189 8 ай бұрын

Great video! Will you be reading The Eleventh Cycle soon? I’m patiently waiting for your review 😅

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

Yes! It’s on my November tbr, so I’ll be starting it really soon ☺️

@stormeyedselkie 7 ай бұрын

Ooooh i loved that book! It introduced me to the grimdark genre and I'm excited to see more from the author!

@therealjojo6139 8 ай бұрын

"who's the sucker now" had me snorting 😂

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

🤡 me after I bought that book lol

@therealjojo6139 8 ай бұрын

@@ToriMorrow I'll be taking it off my TBR now so thanks your sacrifice was not in vain ✊ btw I felt the exact same about the darker shade of magic, I read the first one and did not understand the hype, totally felt like it was missing something

@caitlinl2750 8 ай бұрын

The dandelion dynasty only gets better!

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

I can’t believe it only gets better from here! I’m so excited 🙌🏽

@LaughingStockfarm1 8 ай бұрын

I just finished ‘The Daughter of Doctor Moreau’ and felt the same…it was ok, her writing is wonderful, the characters were interesting, but overall it felt more like a drawing room novel with the occasional chimera thrown in. And they weren’t even interesting chimeras. Hi, I’m half jaguar, would you like some tea? Definitely a slow burn writer.

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

She’s slow burn for sure! I’m really hoping the next read from her is a hit.

@ksiazkowisko 8 ай бұрын

I DNFed "Gods of Jade and Shadow" at about 45%... And I wanted to like it so much :( Oh man, I really couldn't stand Delilah, she annoyed me so much 😂 Grace of Kings is on my TBR!

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

It’s funny how everyone has such different opinions on Lila lol! I hope you love the grace of kings!

@eliotopian 8 ай бұрын

shades of magic... YES... its all about Lila... the rest of the book is background for HER... and it just wasn't ENUF to keep me reading, tho...

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

💯

@im4evatapin12 8 ай бұрын

I DNF’d the Darker Shades of Magic trilogy 100 pages into the 3rd book a couple of years ago. I just couldn’t care anymore and never felt the need to go back.

@ToriMorrow 8 ай бұрын

That’s real 😅 The ending was solid but you didn’t miss anything lol