Right, confession time. I nearly didn’t bother writing this blog today. I was ready to shove my guilty conscience under the rug, make a cup of tea, and pretend I didn’t promise myself (and you lot) I’d show up. But then my alter ego, Hannah-the-Bossy, piped up and said, “Stop being dramatic and get typing.” So, here we are.

This morning I finished my sixth book of the Throne of Glass series first thing after waking up, because obviously, priorities. And before you think I’m some saint of literature, let me tell you the real reason: I’m in a “not-a-competition-but-definitely-a-competition” with Dustin. We call it reading for the soul, but let’s be honest, it only counts if I’m ahead. Current score: Me, 27 books this year. Dustin, a measly 13.

Now, onto the real drama: Throne of Glass.

I started this fantasy series a few months ago. There are eight books, and I’ve got two left. And let me tell you I both love it and absolutely want to throw it into a volcano. Why?

I love it because it’s got everything: endless kingdoms, wyverns (basically dragon knock-offs), creepy creatures, light vs dark, good vs evil all that juicy fantasy nonsense we secretly live for. It’s sweeping, epic, and big enough to knock someone unconscious if you threw it at them.

But oh my god, the cringe. Some of the dialogue had me rolling my eyes so hard I nearly saw my own brain. The main characters are absurdly overpowered apparently invincible yet somehow still “so very human.” Make it make sense! And the romance… don’t get me started. Sometimes the author writes love scenes like: “Their kiss burned the world to ashes and rebuilt it again.” Excuse me? That’s not a kiss, that’s arson.

Can we not just have two people admit they love each other without a full-on apocalypse every time they snog? And don’t get me wrong, I like romance. I like mature romance. But what I don’t like is forced, overcooked “we fought, we made up, now let’s have dramatic sex” plotlines. The series is already so strong it didn’t need any of that nonsense, but alas.

Anyway, before I tackle the second-to-last book, I’m giving my brain a little holiday with Fareda McFaden’s Do Not Disturb. Nothing like a bit of crime and murder to cleanse the palate after fantasy characters rebuilding the universe with their saliva.

So have you read Throne of Glass? Did you swoon at the fiery kisses or, like me, wonder if everyone in this series needs therapy and a chill pill?

Loads of luv

Hannah

P.S. Don’t worry, I don’t feel guilty anymore. You were never abandoned…