Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly blog meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.
This week’s theme was “auto-buy authors”, but you all know by now that I love to put my own spin on the theme, so instead, I’m going to talk about authors I’m giving a second chance! These are authors who I’ve read one book by (and gave 3 stars or less), but want to try another title from.
* disclaimer: don’t get me wrong, 3 stars isn’t a negative rating! I just mean that these are authors who didn’t “wow” me on my first time reading their works.
1. Danielle Vega
first book read from this author: The Merciless
rating I gave it: ⭐ — I hated the narrator so much!
second chance title I’ll read: The Haunted
2. Karen M. McManus
first book read from this author: One of Us is Lying
rating I gave it: ⭐⭐ — I thought this was reeeaaaally problematic, tbh.
second chance title I’ll read: One of Us is Next
3. Laura Silverman
first book read from this author: Girl Out of Water
rating I gave it: ⭐⭐ — another narrator I found unbearable.
second chance title I’ll read: You Asked for Perfect
4. Ashley Poston
first book read from this author: Heart of Iron
rating I gave it: ⭐⭐ — Everything about this was just, sadly, vaguely disappointing.
second chance title I’ll read: Geekerella
5. Madeleine Roux
first book read from this author: Asylum
rating I gave it: ⭐⭐.5 — so predictable and bland!
second chance title I’ll read: House of Furies
6. Hillary Monahan
first book read from this author: MARY: The Summoning
rating I gave it: ⭐⭐⭐ — the narrative voice in this was really obnoxious and, for Hillary to be an own-voice plus-size author, the fat rep was shockingly BAD.
second chance title I’ll read: The Hollow Girl OR Belly Up (pseudonym)
7. Penelope Douglas
first book read from this author: Birthday Girl
rating I gave it: ⭐⭐⭐ — I feel like the only person in the world who thought the sex in this book was SO CRINGE-WORTHY and laughable, but… yeah.
second chance title I’ll read: Corrupt
8. Stephanie Garber
first book read from this author: Caraval
rating I gave it: ⭐⭐⭐ — The whole thing was just a little meh.
second chance title I’ll read: Legendary
9. Carolyn Lee Adams
first book read from this author: Ruthless
rating I gave it: ⭐⭐⭐ — I honestly don’t remember why this didn’t get a higher rating, I think it was just overall not great?
second chance title I’ll read: The Book of Ezra (which, sadly, has no release date yet…)
10. Penny Reid
first book read from this author: Truth or Beard
rating I gave it: ⭐⭐⭐ — the characters didn’t really “click” with me and I thought the MC’s sense of humor was really awkward and a little… childish? But out of everything on this list, it was probably the most lovable one!
second chance title I’ll read: Grin and Beard It
devouringbooks2017
July 16, 2019I absolutely LOVE your twist on the theme! I am planning on reading The Haunted, but haven’t read any of Danielle Vega’s previous books. I do have a copy of Survive the Night that I really want to read as well though. I also heard that she also writes as Danielle Rollins, and have a copy of Stolen Time that I am going to read.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 21, 2019Thank you! I heard Survive the Night was pretty okay. I always forget that she writes under another name, though!
devouringbooks2017
July 21, 2019It’s hard to remember every single authors pen names! I basically remember hers and Seanan McGuire also writes as Mira Crest or something
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 21, 2019Mira Grant, yup! 🙂
devouringbooks2017
July 22, 2019Hahah okay good!
ChrissiReads
July 16, 2019I need to read Stephanie Garber, but I’m kind of hesitant for some reason.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 21, 2019Caraval was one of those books I fully expected to become a favorite and then it was just kinda meh… but I hear sooo much good about the rest of the series!
Annemieke
July 16, 2019I finished the caraval trilogy earlier and they all were kind of the same enjoyment wise for me (with not super high expectations). I do think you might like her sister who stars in the second book a little better. 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 21, 2019I hope so! 😀
BookerTalk
July 16, 2019I much prefer your choice of topic. It does generate a question though – how many chances would you give an author? If/when you get around to reading your second chance titles, you find them disappointing also, would you say “that’s it” and decide not to read the author ever again?
rachel @ typed truths
July 16, 2019i didn’t really like caraval much at all but i had a much better experience with legendary!! i liked tella & dante a lot more than scarlet and whathisname and i found it made a big difference ? i’m also definitely passing on one of us lying after hearing so many bad things but her newer book has a lot of praise and love so i’m tempted to give it a go. hope these authors surprise you!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 21, 2019I swear, these comments about Legendary are giving me life because I wanted SO BADLY to love Caraval and I legit NEED this series to be redeemed for me!!
evelynreads1
July 16, 2019Nice twist on the topic!
For Karen McManus I really recommend Two can keep a secret, I really liked that one, definitely better than one of us is lying!
And please read Legendary! I did enjoy Caraval, but Legendary was just sooo much better!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 21, 2019Oh good, I think we have Two Can Keep a Secret at work so I might have to borrow it! Thank you!!
Jess @ Jessticulates
July 16, 2019Great spin on this week’s topic! I really want to give Geekerella a try, and I’m looking forward to One of Us is Next. 🙂
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 21, 2019Thank you! I hear really good things about Geekerella!
Aimee (Aimee, Always)
July 16, 2019I’m sorry you didn’t like Laura’s first book, but I LOVED You Asked For Perfect so much! I thought it was realistic and very heartfelt, so I really hope you end up loving that one. I feel the same way about Stephanie Garber’s books — the first was fine, but I’m curious to see how the story will pan out.
❤ Aimee @ Aimee, Always
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 21, 2019Thank you! I’m glad You Asked for Perfect was so good. I felt like the only person in the world who didn’t like her first book so it’s had me nervous to try her work again but I feel like I have to!
Becca Leighanne (Bex)
July 16, 2019LOOK @ MY BOO COMING OUT HERE & MAKING SUCH A FUN TWIST ON A T10 TUESDAY.
I really hope you enjoy the cute fluff that is GEEKERELLA!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 21, 2019Bahaha thank you my darling <3
anovelglimpse
July 16, 2019I have so many comments!
I’m sad you didn’t like One of Us Is Lying. I loved that one. I also loved Two Can Keep a Secret. I hope you enjoy it more than the first book.
I just thought Caraval was okay. I liked Legendary more. Maybe you will feel the same.
Birthday Girl was kind of meh. I haven’t tried any of her other books yet. I hope Corrupt works out better for you.
I love Penny Reid’s books. I loved Truth or Beard, but my sister found it a little slow. She went on to read the rest and liked them. I especially liked Cletus’ book, so make sure you give that one a try! If this series doesn’t work out for you, I would recommend any of her others as well.
Malka @ Paper Procrastinators
July 16, 2019Oh, I loved this concept! I rarely give authors a second chance unless the synopsis of their next book sounds absolutely amazing! I really loved You Asked For Perfect, and I think the main character is very different from Girl Out of Water. And although I haven’t read the Caraval series, I’ve heard that it only gets better!
fictionnochaser
July 16, 2019Finally, someone else had issues with One of Us is Lying. I just really struggled with that book. I hope you enjoy the sequel and I will look out for your opinions because I just cannot get excited about One of Us is Next.
I also hope you like the rest of the Winston series. They are pretty cute and I think the second one will be more of a win.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 20, 2019I’m glad I’m not the only one! I feel like people always seem so stunned when I tell them I hated it. ? I’m really uncertain about the new one so I’m not going to request an ARC or anything, but the patrons at my branch are huge on mystery/thrillers, so her books are on our shelves and I’m sure I’ll cave and get the new one for our collection when it releases, and at least then I can just borrow it. 🙂
fictionnochaser
July 21, 2019I didn’t hate it, I was just incredibly underwhelmed. Good luck if you read it!
MetalPhantasmReads
July 17, 2019Danielle Vega also wrote Stolen Time (under Danielle Rollins) and it’s a time travel sci-fi that’s actually really good so far 🙂 I’m not sure how I would like her horror books but I l do love this one. I also agree with giving Legendary a try after so many people say that it improved the series…
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 20, 2019Oh, neat! I always forget she also writes under another name. 🙂 And yeah, I’ve heard that a lot about Legendary, too! Fingers crossed. I think I’ll reread Caraval beforehand.
MetalPhantasmReads
July 25, 2019Good idea! I’m not sure if I will do that or not, but we’ll see. Yeah Stolen Time is really interesting so far
Kelly | Another Book in the Wall
July 17, 2019Awesome post, Destiny!!! I gave Carval 3 stars as well, and was overall pretty underwhelmed by it; however, I read Legendary last November and it was literally one of the best books I read that year! I can’t recommend it enough! Geekerella was a really sweet book, and although I haven’t read anything else by Poston, I truly enjoyed that Cinderella retelling. I found One of Us is Lying pretty problematic too, so I’m still a bit hesitant to read future works by the author, but perhaps I’ll give her another try some day!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 21, 2019Thank you! I’m so glad Legendary was so much better than Caraval. The fact that you didn’t love Caraval either makes me even more optimistic about Legendary. 🙂 And I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought One of Us is Lying was problematic! :/
gryphongirl2007
July 18, 2019I’ve been thinking of giving Legendary a chance, even though I was meh on Caraval, also. I really WANTED to love it – it seems like it SHOULD be my kind of thing and I’m sad I didn’t enjoy it 🙁 But I’ve heard the books get better, and I own both Legendary AND Finale so.. No excuses, haha.
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 21, 2019I hope we both like Legendary and Finale better! :/ I feel you, Caraval was the kind of book I SHOULD have loved and wanted to so badly!
Meeghan reads
July 20, 2019I’m so glad you’re giving Ashley Poston a second chance with Geekerella!! I hope you really love it!!
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
July 20, 2019Thank you, love! I’m looking forward to it. I just keep forgetting to finally pick it up!
Jenna @ Falling Letters
July 22, 2019I like your take on this T10T! I haven’t read any of these authors so I can’t comment on whether they’re deserving of a second chance. But I like this idea and might have to try it out. I know I have read a few books where I thought “Eh, well, that wasn’t so great but I still have hope for this author…”
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
August 29, 2019Thank you! I would love to see it if you did decide to do a “second chance” authors list 🙂
Ellyn
July 26, 2019*drops in to support Caraval*
*clears throat*
*pauses*
*waves emphatically* Hi Destiny! I haven’t talked to you in too long!
*clears throat again because I’m a dumb who forgot to drink water all day* (pls drink water it’s good for you)
Okay, here we go! Caraval, is, at least at this point in my life, one of my favourite books of all time! Admittedly, it’s not the best thing out there and it’s a biiiit insta-lovey but it is also incredibly detailed and beautifully written. It has its flaws but, to be fair, it is a debut novel and I can’t help but love it anyway. AND I would be totally open to buddy-reading the series with you if you needed a push to read it (this offer is open for eternity, I will drop any and all things to do this, I love this book… A LOT)
There’s also a big element of mystery in Caraval and in the second book too – also a big thing that a lot of reviewers have said, and I would agree with is this – if you didn’t like Caraval you will most likely enjoy Legendary. I’ve found that a lot of people that gave Caraval a higher rating, gave Legendary a slightly lower rating and vice versa. So, maybe Legendary is the book for you?
[aaaaaand rant over, sorry for the long comment, I just really love this series???]
Destiny @ Howling Libraries
August 29, 2019LMAO I love you and I love this comment! I want to reread Caraval before continuing with the series so I would LOVE to do a series buddy read with you! Maybe later this year?