Friday, September 26, 2014

Random Fridays: Books I Wanted to Throw Against a Wall

http://bookworm716.blogspot.com
Hullo, everyone! I'm sure everyone's read at least one of those books, the sort that make even the gentlest soul want to hurl them against the nearest wall. Maybe the main character annoys you, a plot twist nearly drove you mad, or your favorite character died, or maybe your motivation is something else completely different. It might not be a bad book- it might even be one of your favorites- but the desire is still there. This week's Random Friday is about the books that do it for me.

1. Eragon and Eldest by Christopher Paolini.
 I mostly blame Eragon (the character) for this. He annoyed me for a very long time. I don't remember specific reasons (I haven't read the books in a while), but I do recall thinking that he made a lot of idiotic decisions . . . particularly concerning Arya in book two. I mean, yes, I shipped them, but I still thought that Eragon could've gone about things a little better. Thankfully, he shaped up a bit in time for Brisingr.

2. The Star Wars novelizations
Episodes II and Episode III were the worst . . . Anakin is in my top five favorite Star Wars characters because he has some pretty good lines (particularly in Episode III) and because you can't help feeling sorry for him in some ways, but I also want to smack him across the face and talk some sense into him. The original trilogy was somewhat better, but Luke still bugged me. And then there's Episode V, in which everyone bugs me. And there's Yoda, who I kind of don't like. Call me weird, but I don't.
3. The Elite by Kiera Cass
 If your romantic relationship is forbidden on pain of death, end said romantic relationship. Do not continue it in secret, especially not when you're staying in the royal castle, and especially especially not when you're a much better match for the other guy in the love triangle. It will end in trouble and heartbreak and all sorts of messiness.

Now for some books which contained entirely too much angst (but are otherwise pretty awesome):
4. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
5. The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
Vin. Elend. Seriously. You fell in love with each other because of who you are. Stop freaking out about it.
6. To Darkness Fled (and the first half of From Darkness Won) by Jill Williamson.
Achen, stop complaining about being king and having to get married to someone who's not Gren or Tara. Done? Thank you. Vrell, stop being in denial. You and Achen are made for each other and you know it. Your stubbornness is not amusing.

7. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
 Everyone knows how I feel about Mockingjay by now, probably. I won't repeat it. (If you actually don't know and you want to, ask me and I'll tell you in the comments.) 

Not all these books are bad- in fact, I really like most of them. But that doesn't stop me from getting aggravated- usually because of characters and their bad decisions. Or their angst. (Maybe this post should've been about characters I'd like to talk some sense into instead.) 
What about you? What books give you an urge to introduce them to the nearest wall? Please tell me in the comments!

Tschau!

-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)

Want to join in the Random Fridays fun? Feel free to make a post of your own on the week's topic! Please just be sure to use the Random Fridays banner, link back to Awkwordly Emma, and post the link to your post on the Awkwordly Emma blog so other participants can check out your post. For a list of future Random Friday topics, click here

14 comments:

  1. ... I'm kind of scared to ask, but... what do you think about Mockingjay?

    I feel like that was a loaded question. : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Possibly.

      *SPOILER WARNING FOR MOCKINGJAY*
      1. Almost everyone dies. Including most of my favorite characters. WHY.
      2. It's hard to root for one side or the other. President Snow is obviously a nasty piece of work. President Coin isn't much better; in fact, I almost dislike her more than Snow. At least with Snow you know where you stand. >.< And yeah, I want the rebellion to win, but it feels like there's no real good guys. If that makes sense.
      3. Katniss. Seriously. I get that she's been through a lot, and I can understand why she'd feel depressed, especially at the end of the book. But I feel like she overdoes it. And seriously, wanting to commit suicide after so many people have died to keep her alive? No. Just no.
      4. A final Hunger Games with Capital children. What the black-burnt, dragon-blasted pumpernickel, people?
      5. It was just a depressing book in general . . . I mean, it kind of had to be, considering the previous two books. But I think it was more depressing than it needed to be.

      All the same, there were some things I liked. Like the part with Katniss and Finnick and their squad when they were attacking the Capital, before everyone started dying. And the part in the middle of the book when they visit District 12. And Annie and Finnick's wedding. And Finnick in general, really. If there'd been more of those bright spots and less of "Everyone's dying or depressed. What is this hope you speak of?", I would've liked the book much more.

      Delete
    2. Haha, I couldn't remember where I'd read this review! Having much better knowledge of the book now, this makes me laugh (because you're so right).

      Delete
    3. You do realize though that there never was a Hunger Games with the Capitol children, right? Katniss stopped that with her...er...unexpected move.

      Delete
    4. I realize that, but the fact that they'd even consider it- and that Katniss and others would actually support it- makes me sick. :P Again, what the black-burnt, dragon-blasted pumpernickel, people?!?

      Delete
  2. Haha! I'm curious to hear the answer! I've heard several similar reactions I bet, but I don't think I read yours! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmm. I know I've mentioned that I don't like Mockingjay before. Maybe I just didn't fully expound on why. Thanks for reading!

      Delete
  3. Yeah I agree that after finishing Mockingjay I wanted to throw it against a wall (well after I cried buckets of tears it felt like)!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I usually yell rather than crying . . . but yeah. Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  4. I haven't read any of these, but I have Jill Williamson's Blood of Kings trilogy on my list of books to get. I found it interesting that Yoda bugs you. What do you dislike about him?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You should definitely read the Blood of Kings trilogy and the Mistborn trilogy. As for what bugs me about Yoda . . . I feel like he could've handled a lot of stuff better, let's put it that way.

      Delete
    2. Aside from Blood of Kings, I think the Mistborn trilogy appeals to me most out of this list, from what I've heard about it. As do the Divergent/Insurgent/Allegiant covers, especially Insurgent's cover.
      Hmm. I don't think I've noticed that about Yoda. But I haven't watched Episode II or Episode III, and I haven't watched I, IV, V or VI for a long time, so that could be the reason.

      Delete
  5. Finally had time to check out your post, and what a great list! Thanks for participating, Sarah. :)

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to hear your thoughts! But remember: it pays to be polite to dragons.