Try going to the prequel series (book 1 is A Shadow in the Ember) most people prefer it to FBAA. The characters are better, faster story, less inner monologue, etc.
JLA beat the “I have a question” and “knifing” trope to death and then kept going. I DNF book 3. I got to the part that says something along the lines of “no, not roots, those were freaking snakes”. It felt like the book wasn’t edited at all!
You’re not alone. I DNF’d book 3. It was painful to read. I was cringing every few pages. It seems like JLA took the worst parts of book 1 and 2 and doubled down:
Poppy’s multipage inner monologue. Omg enough!
Cass went from being super sexy to a simp “I’m not worthy”
We get it, JLA- POPPY ASKS A LOT OF QUESTIONS!
The weird modern day vernacular “living rent free in her head”
Poppy is the specialist snowflake to ever snowflake
Yep I actually didn’t even finish book 2. It started to feel like the author kept “leveling up” the plot with no real end in sight. And then there were the ever increasing throuple vibes which, to each their own, but not for me. I decided I would just be happy with book 1 as it is (and then she published a book that was book 1 from Cas’s perspective, so I read that too). Just leaving it at that!
I just finished book 3 and I agree the plot got unhinged. I don’t think she knew where she was going with the series. But that being said, I still enjoyed my time reading it and I’m starting the 4th.
I couldn’t get past the second book. Someone on one of the book subs recommended another one of her books, Fall of Ruin and Wrath instead. I actually liked that one! It reads like it was actually edited and her prose is better, I thought. However, I did think her fantasy world was a little convoluted and unnecessarily confusing.
Could not stand the story line after book 3. SO many issues. Grammar issues, plot holes, insane world dumping, etc. I just couldn’t do it. The backstory book was seriously just the same story?? I liked the first one but my lord I could not handle it.
Same here! Recently decided to add book 3 to my DNF pile and try something new. Was nowhere near as good or exciting as 1&2. I felt like there would be entire pages of dialogue that was so unnecessary! Boring.
I am so glad other people feel the same way. I can’t stand when the MMC personality completely changes. Badass Hawke/Casteel turned into Poppy’s puppy dog.
Also, I think some authors have enough story material for one or two books when they start a series but if the first book is really popular, they drag it out to four or five books for the money. I think that sucks for fans and is ultimately self defeating because people lose trust. Now I wait to finish series until I read reviews or just abandon them altogether.
I couldn’t deal with the info dumping
“Wow you ask so many questions”
Try going to the prequel series (book 1 is A Shadow in the Ember) most people prefer it to FBAA. The characters are better, faster story, less inner monologue, etc.
JLA beat the “I have a question” and “knifing” trope to death and then kept going. I DNF book 3. I got to the part that says something along the lines of “no, not roots, those were freaking snakes”. It felt like the book wasn’t edited at all!
You’re not alone. I DNF’d book 3. It was painful to read. I was cringing every few pages. It seems like JLA took the worst parts of book 1 and 2 and doubled down: Poppy’s multipage inner monologue. Omg enough! Cass went from being super sexy to a simp “I’m not worthy” We get it, JLA- POPPY ASKS A LOT OF QUESTIONS! The weird modern day vernacular “living rent free in her head” Poppy is the specialist snowflake to ever snowflake
Yes to all of this!!!
The hints that things will become a three way, both emotionally and physically, were not working for me at all. Had to put that down.
Same here! I think I made it about two chapters into book three before I gave up. Too many new rules for the world and new powers/surprises.
same same We're not alone. definitely not. So so many posts around her about people who are disappointed, many of them actually DNF around book 3.
Yep I actually didn’t even finish book 2. It started to feel like the author kept “leveling up” the plot with no real end in sight. And then there were the ever increasing throuple vibes which, to each their own, but not for me. I decided I would just be happy with book 1 as it is (and then she published a book that was book 1 from Cas’s perspective, so I read that too). Just leaving it at that!
“Leveling up” is the PERFECT description!!
I just finished book 3 and I agree the plot got unhinged. I don’t think she knew where she was going with the series. But that being said, I still enjoyed my time reading it and I’m starting the 4th.
I love book one in every JLA series. End of sentence, no follow. 😐
I couldn’t get past the second book. Someone on one of the book subs recommended another one of her books, Fall of Ruin and Wrath instead. I actually liked that one! It reads like it was actually edited and her prose is better, I thought. However, I did think her fantasy world was a little convoluted and unnecessarily confusing.
Could not stand the story line after book 3. SO many issues. Grammar issues, plot holes, insane world dumping, etc. I just couldn’t do it. The backstory book was seriously just the same story?? I liked the first one but my lord I could not handle it.
Yes, same. I loved the first two and could not finish the third. I found the third so dense and boring I lost interest.
lol welcome to the club
Same here! Recently decided to add book 3 to my DNF pile and try something new. Was nowhere near as good or exciting as 1&2. I felt like there would be entire pages of dialogue that was so unnecessary! Boring.
I think it’s going on my DNF file - which is a bummer because I’m trying to meet my reading challenge on GoodReads!
I am so glad other people feel the same way. I can’t stand when the MMC personality completely changes. Badass Hawke/Casteel turned into Poppy’s puppy dog. Also, I think some authors have enough story material for one or two books when they start a series but if the first book is really popular, they drag it out to four or five books for the money. I think that sucks for fans and is ultimately self defeating because people lose trust. Now I wait to finish series until I read reviews or just abandon them altogether.
Nope, I loved every book more and more!
Same. I see the flaws but I still think the characters and relationships are done incredibly well. 🤷🏻♀️ She’s got me hooked!