Top Five Wednesday Archives - Page 5 of 5

T5W: Favorite Angsty Romances

Welcome to another T5W. This week’s topic is favorite angsty romances. Before we begin, I have to say that this prompt gives me LIFE. I am all for angst and love, because the FEELS.

Oh hang on. Before I get too excited, let me link the Goodreads group. Top 5 Wednesday is a group where topics are suggested every week of the month on a Wednesday. In them, you list 5 bookish answers relating to the prompt.

Now. Back to the romance and angst combination. I wanted to mention an honorary one before we begin. Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy, our resident grumpy cat.

ALSO, Hades and Persephone are the most excellent template for romances. I feel like people sometimes take away Persephone’s agency. Dude, she knew the fruit would make her stay. She ate it willingly. Hades is not abusive. He’s just an awkward person.

5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

This is the real OG of angst and relationships. I don’t know if it was my depression and overall emo nature that drew me to the couple in this story, but I loved it. Heathcliffe was complicated and mysterious, angry and moody.

Cathy was equally as moody and spoiled.

I loved their love and the setting was extra brooding. I had to mention this book because it definitely started me on the path towards finding my ultimate trope: darkness and light attracting each other.

4. The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

I feel like the Darkling was misrepresented in this series so far. Anyway, I can already tell that his romance with Alina could have brought out a certain strength in her. I am all about self-discovery. Mal represents a past, and I don’t want Alina going back to pre-sun summoning days. She pushed down her power for him before, and she’ll do it again, I am sure.

3. Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkowski

Arin and Kestrel are complicated. The politics of their home affects their relationship enormously and the chances for miscommunication are high. Loyalty and honor confuse the interpretation of actions and intentions, too. And, it is wonderful to read such complications.

But, they better end up together.

Dang it.

2.Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead

Rose and Dimitri are very high up on this list, because their relationship gives me all the feels. I am trying not to give away spoilers, but, you know, things are complicated and angst happens a lot in this relationship.

I loved every second of their tension.

1 . The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Any of Cassandra Clare’s ships go through a certain amount of angst. But, here are some of my favorites: Jace/Clary probably went through the most intense angst I have ever encountered. Lots of tension between them.

Another couple that I felt a lot of angst with is Will/Tessa/Jem. They’re my special babies and my love for them knows no bounds.

Finally: Emma/Julian. I want to explain, but it’s all spoilers.

Me: Here’s my heart.

Cassandra Clare: *Stomps on it and sets it on fire*

Me: Can we do that again for two more books?

Your Turn!

Share your top angst-filled ships in the comment section.

T5W: Books You Felt Betrayed By

Welcome to another Top 5 Wednesday (T5W!). Before I get to the exciting stuff, I want to link the Goodreads group here. This week’s topic is the top 5 books that betrayed me.

5. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

In particular, Mockingjay was not what I was expecting. Katniss had PTSD and it was hard to keep up with her without it being triggering. In fact, I have struggled with this series because I find it rather difficult and uncomfortable. It’s also why I like it so much. But, Mockingjay was just so different and heavy.

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Look, I just feel like Rowling couldn’t decide between the horcruxes and the deathly hallows. Like, what’s the point in introducing this plot line if it was not going to be relevant? Let’s not even discuss the epilogue, which included the worst kid names ever. There’s no need for it.

3. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

I tried reading David Levithan’s books and I know that he’s just not the author for me. But, man, John Green couldn’t pull off this book at all. I hate Tiny Cooper. And, I felt so betrayed by this book because it could have been nuanced, clever, and funny. It’s just forced and awkward.

2. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

As a fan of her Mortal Instruments series, I was obviously aware that these books are also going to rock. They didn’t just rock, they blew me away. I seriously can’t even fathom a world with no Jem, Will, or Tessa. I wasn’t betrayed in a bad way. It was awesome kind of betrayal, because I thought the love triangle was going to go one way and it didn’t.

1. The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

The pretty covers of this series, the charm of magic and Victorian times, all didn’t prepare me to the awful finale. While I am all for including LGBT+ in stories, but not as a plot twist. Also, this book is huge and I don’t remember anything in this book other than annoyance on my part.

Your Turn:

Have you read any of these books? Did they (un)pleasantly surprise you? Share your top 5 in the comments!

T5W: Favorite Fantasy Reads

Before I begin, let me link the Goodreads group for T5W. T5W’s topic for this week is top fantasy (and science fiction) reads. Because I have been recently reading again, I don’t have the most awesome answers ever. I am not really well-read (not happy about it. Look at my face, it’s a sad face). But, I’ll try to answer this question with what I do know so far.

5. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Oh, you should have known I was going to recommend this fantasy book. Rowell does fantasy well, and she creates a complex world. The characters are charming and fun.

4. The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

A horned fae prince sleeping in a glass casket. A boy with a talent for music. A female knight. Come on. This is SO good. Holly Black is brilliant and she writes fantastic characters, politics, and humor really well.

3. A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab

I don’t remember a world where I didn’t fangirl about this series. I’m on book 2, and just living for this world. I am enjoying every second of it. Read it for Kell, and Rhy, and magic, and Lila, and HOLLAND.

2. The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

A seemingly ordinary world, until you realize some people are born with something called a Godstone. Starting the next book in the trilogy soon, I hope!

1. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Surprise! (You’re not really surprised, are you?) I just love how Clare balances fantasy with the ordinary. Simon and Clary bring so much realness and depth to this world of Shadowhunters and Idris. I highly recommend this series.

T5W: Fictional Jobs

This is my first time participating in T5Wed (Top 5 Wednesday, but I’m abbreviating to maintain short titles).

Here is a link to the group.

5. Uprooted

I’d like to be the Dragon, please and thank you. I’m not done with this book, but I want to be him or Neishka. Or both. Their job sounds awful and amazing. I’d enjoy it though.

4. Darker Shade of Magic

Kell

Can you imagine traveling between different universes of the same town? Kell, I’d be better at your job, because I wouldn’t steal trinkets. My conscience wouldn’t allow me to do that.
Plus, I get to have a cool coat. Also: Rhy, Holland, and Lila. Enough said.

3. Demon Summoner in Demon’s Lexicon trilogy

What demon summoners do is draw circles, eat this fruit that makes you kind of feverish, and then dance to summon the demons. I like dancing and I am a fan of food. As long as the demons don’t trick me, I should be okay.

2. Lost Boy in Peter Pan

Growing up is overrated. While I am afraid of heights, I’d want to hang out with Peter and the rest of the gang forever. I’d never get sick of them, honestly. Also: I don’t like Wendy Darling. So, my goal would be to tell Peter not to go to her home.

1. Cheshire Cat or anyone in Alice in Wonderland

I would enjoy being a jerk to people visiting my town. It’s the ultimate goal to be clever and charming, all while rhyming. Excellent job to aim for.