Laurens.Little.Library's Reviews > Assistant to the Villain
Assistant to the Villain
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DNF at 30%
Before we go any further, I need to remind you that every book I read receives the same degree of harsh scrutiny. I don't know Hannah, nor have I ever been mutuals with her. And honestly, I'm relieved for that last fact because I don't know how the hell I'd manage that conflict of interest. I promised to be 100% honest with all of you—always. No matter what. No matter how nervous it makes me that I'll receive backlash. Because at the end of the day: THIS ISN'T A PERSONAL ATTACK. It's a review of a particular piece of literature.
I'm sorry I don't have anything nice to say about this book. If it makes you feel any better, I'm mutuals with Ali Hazelwood and I said her latest novel was "seriously mediocre."
Here's why I bailed on Assistant to the Villain:
1. This book gave me the same cringe, uncomfy feeling as watching anything ChristianTok, much like the first half of this (decidedly hilarious) TikTok made by my friend Shaye.
2. It reads like Middle Grade, so much so that I almost gaslit myself into thinking that maybe it was YA. Nope. It's adult. Or at least, it's supposed to be.
3. Painfully unfunny. I never saw the original TikToks that inspired this book, and I believe the marketing when it says the series was "hilarious." Why then, did not an ounce of humour translate? Moreover, why instead of finding it even a little bit funny, did I make this face after every joke line was delivered: 🥴😵💫
4. Characters as flat as French crêpes. Do you really need me to explain this one? Fine. How's this: If the main character were an instrument, she'd be a cowbell.
5. Either the narrator's performance did the book zero favours, or vice versa. Either way, the narration was grating.
I hope I am in the tiny minority of people who don't like this book 😬 And for the love of god, do not send this to the author. In fact, do not send ANY negative reviews to ANY authors. That just makes you a c-nt. It's not a good look.
Many thanks to Tantor for providing me with the ALC and for Penguin UK for sending me an ARC
Before we go any further, I need to remind you that every book I read receives the same degree of harsh scrutiny. I don't know Hannah, nor have I ever been mutuals with her. And honestly, I'm relieved for that last fact because I don't know how the hell I'd manage that conflict of interest. I promised to be 100% honest with all of you—always. No matter what. No matter how nervous it makes me that I'll receive backlash. Because at the end of the day: THIS ISN'T A PERSONAL ATTACK. It's a review of a particular piece of literature.
I'm sorry I don't have anything nice to say about this book. If it makes you feel any better, I'm mutuals with Ali Hazelwood and I said her latest novel was "seriously mediocre."
Here's why I bailed on Assistant to the Villain:
1. This book gave me the same cringe, uncomfy feeling as watching anything ChristianTok, much like the first half of this (decidedly hilarious) TikTok made by my friend Shaye.
2. It reads like Middle Grade, so much so that I almost gaslit myself into thinking that maybe it was YA. Nope. It's adult. Or at least, it's supposed to be.
3. Painfully unfunny. I never saw the original TikToks that inspired this book, and I believe the marketing when it says the series was "hilarious." Why then, did not an ounce of humour translate? Moreover, why instead of finding it even a little bit funny, did I make this face after every joke line was delivered: 🥴😵💫
4. Characters as flat as French crêpes. Do you really need me to explain this one? Fine. How's this: If the main character were an instrument, she'd be a cowbell.
5. Either the narrator's performance did the book zero favours, or vice versa. Either way, the narration was grating.
I hope I am in the tiny minority of people who don't like this book 😬 And for the love of god, do not send this to the author. In fact, do not send ANY negative reviews to ANY authors. That just makes you a c-nt. It's not a good look.
Many thanks to Tantor for providing me with the ALC and for Penguin UK for sending me an ARC
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Reading Progress
August 12, 2023
–
Started Reading
August 12, 2023
– Shelved
August 12, 2023
–
2.0%
"Isn’t this supposed to be adult? Why is it reading like middle grade?
Why is it giving “Christian romance”? 😵💫
And. Why are there so many exclamation marks????"
Why is it giving “Christian romance”? 😵💫
And. Why are there so many exclamation marks????"
August 13, 2023
– Shelved as:
2023_reads
August 13, 2023
– Shelved as:
didnt_live_up_to_hype
August 13, 2023
– Shelved as:
dnf
August 13, 2023
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 51-100 of 143 (143 new)
message 51:
by
Threading Books
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added it
Oct 07, 2023 11:57AM
![Threading Books](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1659071413p1/86473695.jpg)
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![Maura Burns](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1231530515p1/1822641.jpg)
![Ashley](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1495822386p1/7216078.jpg)
![Booky_Lou_Who](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1664146887p1/140020583.jpg)
It might be entry level fantasy for some tho so I’d say it has worth. It’s was just really far too simplified for my liking. And yes. I almost died by cringe narration.
![Jade](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1684217146p1/37654359.jpg)
i also hate the whole “if you didn’t like it, don’t post a review” thing. like, negative reviews are incredibly important to other readers, especially reviews that are as well-written and well-explained as this. a negative review will help someone decide whether the book is for them or not. some negative reviews have listed elements of the book they didn’t like, but i enjoy the elements they dislike. so i ended up picking up the books and enjoying them. in the long run, they have helped me make an informed decision on whether or not to read the book.
people can review books however they want to. its no one’s place to tell another reviewer how they can or can’t review a book unless the review is racist, transphobic, sexist, or just in general bigoted and hateful beyond just not enjoying the work. negative reviews are necessary, and unless the reviewer gives explicit permission for the author to read it, review spaces are for reviewers only.
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It's just a cute time-waste, and currently, that is what I am in need of. :)
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LMAO this actually made me laugh out loud. Thank you 😂
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This should have definitely been marketed as YA.
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