Eleanor: This is the second in the series of Six book tags, centred around a fantastic musical about the six wives of Henry VIII. Anne Boleyn is certainly the most popular wife to write about, from multitudes of books published about her, and you can take so many different perspectives on her life.
This tag was created by yerabooknerzoe (specifically the Anne Boleyn edition), JakeDoesBooks, Browsing For Books, Average Joe Reads, T. J Reads the Stars and emmanovella
1: Favourite group cast book
Eleanor: I love group cast books! There’s something so fun about reading from the perspective of lots of different characters and seeing their personalities. I feel like Six of Crows is the obvious book to go with here, and while I do love that book, I’m actually going to pick King of Scars! While this one might be less obviously a group cast book, I would still personally consider it as one, because it told from the POVs of Nikolai, Nina, Zoya and Isaak.
Alice: I agree that the book-nerd world would put Six of Crows but, personally I prefer Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo. The way they are all woven together wonderfully by the mastery of a true craftswomen is true breathtaking. The hopeless reader within me appreciates the suspense of seeing a romance from both sides which doesn’t normally happen. (Note: Eleanor’s choice is biased for professed love of Nikolai and a little bit Nina, I’m sure King of Scars is amazing but if anything involves Nikolai and Nina, then she is like a piranha to flesh)
2: A book with a disappointing ending
Eleanor: Both The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen (which I mentioned in the Catherine of Aragon Edition) and The Fallen Kingdom by Elizabeth May used a very similar plot device to end their series and I hated both of these endings. No spoilers, but they were such terrible ways to wrap things up.
Alice: This is a repeat rant from the Catherine of Aragon book tag and I’m sorry that I have sinned, people of the fandom. However, this book was so terrible that it deserves to be ranted about to warn others of it’s terribleness (<- not a word but who cares). Said book is called Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell and OMD what a bad, frustrating ending that tells you nothing about the fate of the characters. It just rushes to tie up the ends and leaves you on a non-cliffhanger so you feel frustrated and annoyed for the rest of the day (trust me, it’s not a good feeling). So second public announcement: don’t harm yourself by reading this gosh darn book
3: “Now I’m writing lyrics, with Shaksey P” – favourite Shakespeare retelling
Eleanor: This is a hard one…I really, really, really want to read The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton, because it’s going to be utterly beautiful, I just know it. But I really can’t think of one that I’ve actually read, so I guess I’m cheating a little here?
Alice: I think this is going to be If I’m Being Honest by Emily Wibberly and Austin Siegemund-Broka because it’s the only Shakespeare retelling I can remember. Also, it’s written in such a beautiful way and it was gifted to me by a very lovely friend ;). I think that Shakespeare retellings don’t get enough rep in the bookish world so *hint hint* maybe if famous authors got together like they did for DC then they would be more popular.
4: Favourite Love Triangle
Eleanor: If we are looking at traditional love triangles, I have to go with the love triangle in The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare, because that is the only love triangle that really works. But, I mean,*technically* a love triangle should be where all members are in love with one another, otherwise it’s just a love V. And if we are looking at that, it has to be Christina, Mark and Kieran from The Dark Artifices, also by Cassandra Clare.
Alice: I’m going to disagree with Eleanor her because the love triangle in the Infernal Devices is beautiful and A TRUE LOVE TRIANGLE!! Even if they aren’t all “lusty lusty” for each other, the bromance between Will and Jem is so sweet and endearing but the fight to stay friends yet have the same girl breaks me every time. 😦
5: Most ambitious character
Eleanor: I’d have to choose Evangeline Samos from the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard. She’s awesome, but totally only cares about herself and Elane. She’s definitely ambitious and will do whatever it takes to get what she wants.
Alice: This is hard as there are two I think are great contenders for this prize. Both come from great books so go check them out! The first one is Emika Chen from Warcross by Marie Lu (this is very hyped up on Goodreads but for a good reason). She will do anything to make sure that she and her flatmate Keira don’t get evicted. Many will probably disagree with me because this is probably filed under the persistence and determination category but oh well. The second is Mia Rose from Heart of Thorns by Bree Barton. Mia cares so much about her sister and her own ambition but all this is turn on its head when she finds out a secret… (go read it!!!)
6: “Sorry not sorry ’bout what I said” – an unpopular opinion
Eleanor: I really didn’t like The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I just felt that it was really pretentious. I don’t think that teens aren’t incapable of being deep and intelligent, but for me the way that they expressed their emotions in this book was so unrealistic and rehearsed. Plus it was super boring?
Alice: This is kind of off topic but I really dislike Lindt. It tastes great but just like some books on Goodreads, it’s so overhyped and so expensive for what it is. I also think that it has become sweeter because it’s catering to the general public more and more as more people recommend it, it might just me eating more dark chocolate. Go try and send me a comment about whether you agree or disagree! It’s not bad but it’s not as amazing as people make it out to me (in my opinion)
Thanks so much for reading, and we hope you enjoyed this tag! Feel free to do it if it looks fun to you.
The Bookish Courtier 