Books You Have Trouble Getting *Into* or Finishing

I don't know if it's just me, or perhaps my ability (DIS-ability) to concentrate is the issue ... but there have been several books, of late, that I'm struggling with.

You know how it goes, by the 3rd chapter your interest is waning, or the plot is so glaringly obvious that you already know what's going to happen. This is especially disappointing when the book in question received gallons of high praise across three major continents.

Then again, there are days I can't write my way out of a paper bag, so who am I to judge? But here follows a few (purportedly) great books that either I had trouble with, or currently do. Caution, the following DOES CONTAIN SPOILERS:

The Death Cure by James Dashner:

Though I gobbled up the first two novels in this exciting series, so far this one comes across as chaotic and messy. It doesn't feel *linear*, and I'm having trouble making sense out of all the fights/battles that keep springing up. Basically everyone's running around yelling without much purpose. Plus, there's no way in hell these kids should have successfully navigated their through the first few chapters, so ... once again ... it's probably a set up by Wicked. The problem is, will I care?

Divergent by Veronica Roth:

It seems almost sacrilegious to cast aspersions on this epically-praised novel, but there you have it. I'm going to hell. Anyway, the first half of the book I loved, loved, loved. The world building was unique, and the idea of society being parceled out into factions was a minor stroke of genius. But, by the final quarter of the book everything just went to shit. For me. The fights seemed surrealistic, and ... again ... I don't think the kids should have fared nearly so well as the author had them do. Additionally, near the end, having Beatrice/Tris lose not one but both parents in such a short amount of time came across as an afterthought. There was literally no time, for Tris or the reader, to emotionally process what should have been a monumental blow. Luckily, Tris was more concerned with her love interest, Four.

Partials by Dan Wells:

Here I want to stress that I am very much impressed with the world building, the descriptions, and the depth of character development. In fact, I would absolutely fan-girl this book were it not for the fact that, as soon as Kira became involved with her Partial/prisoner/medical lab-rat, the plot became clear as day from that point onward. While I could be wrong, the question is ... will I invest the reading time to find out? However, I predict that Kira will find herself increasingly sympathetic, curious, protective of her Partial, whilst her relationship with Marcus becomes a real drag. Eventually, I'm guessing, Kira and Partial will elope, take off, escape the evil adults yada yada, but will Marcus narc them out? Don't know, don't care.

Scored by Lauren McLaughlin:

I've got to come clean - I didn't like Imani from the get go.

She's prickly, deceitful, rude and I see no logical reason for non-scored, rich boy Diago's unflagging devotion/infatuation with her. He could do so much better. On the plus side, the author takes Orwell's 1984 *big brother's watching* to deliciously dangerous heights, and, damn if it isn't near plausible. One of these days I'll get around to finishing Scored, if only in the hopes that Diago will eventually tell Imani to go 'eff herself.

Well, that's it for now. Mind you, the above is merely one person's opinion. And, with opinions being ephemeral creatures, they may change for the better - once I get around to finishing the above mentioned books, or series.

Don't hold your breath. Better yet, go bake a batch of cookies and share with an elderly neighbor. Play catch with the dog/kids. Tell your significant other they're not nearly as annoying as usual. ;D