5 Reasons Why I DNF... Becoming Jinn by Lori Goldstein

Friday, April 17, 2015

If you know me at all, you know I hate DNF-ing books, especially when it's an ARC that I received for reviewing purposes, because I feel obligated to review it fully. Okay, and books that I purchased too, because I paid money for that and I feel like I wasted the money if I don't read the whole book. BUT, here lately, I've been overwhelmed with books. Some of which are too EPIC for words, and then some are.......well, they bore me to tears, so much so that I will stop reading altogether rather than DNF it. That seems so ridiculous when I think about it. I want to read, because I love to, and if I can't get into a book, then I should be able to not finish it and not feel bad about it. *lightbulb* So a new feature was born! I may have DNF, but that doesn't mean I can't name a few reasons why.

Today, I'm giving 5 reasons why I DNF'd...

Becoming Jinn by Lori Goldstein
Published by: Feiwel & Friends on April 21st, 2015
Series: Becoming Jinn #1
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback ARC 
Genre: Fantasy
Source: For Review (Thanks Macmillan!)
Rating: DNF
BUY THE BOOK or ADD IT TO GOODREADS!

From Goodreads: Forget everything you thought you knew about genies!

Azra has just turned sixteen, and overnight her body lengthens, her olive skin deepens, and her eyes glisten gold thanks to the brand-new silver bangle that locks around her wrist. As she always knew it would, her Jinn ancestry brings not just magical powers but the reality of a life of servitude, as her wish granting is controlled by a remote ruling class of Jinn known as the Afrit.

To the humans she lives among, she's just the girl working at the snack bar at the beach, navigating the fryer and her first crush. But behind closed doors, she's learning how to harness her powers and fulfill the obligations of her destiny.

Mentored by her mother and her Zar "sisters", Azra discovers she may not be quite like the rest of her circle of female Jinn... and that her powers could endanger them all. As Azra uncovers the darker world of becoming Jinn, she realizes when genies and wishes are involved, there's always a trick. 

My Reasons:

(For the record, I seriously thought I was going to L-O-V-E you. I mean, that synopsis and cover? Totes hooked me.) I stopped at page 73, because...

1. Just those 73 pages are devoted to ONE 24 hour period. Yup. ONE. One very incredibly boredom-enducing set of twenty-four hours. Head meet desk.

2. So many characters. So many little specific names for each. I could barely keep up with who was who. Too much way too fast. Heck I want to get to know the M.C. in those first 100 pages, not her mom, her mom's best friend, their 3 or 4 other friends, the M.C.'s best friend, her 4 neighbors, her dead best friend, 3 or 4 more of their friends, and I can't even remember if that's all of them. 

3. Azra, the M.C. just in case you're already confused, hates everything. I mean, she hates everything so much, she practically has to state it every other sentence. Might be a bit of an exaggeration, but for reals, I get it, girl. You hate everything. Chillax. Have a drink. Oh, and please quit saying how much you hate everything, we get it. I got it so much that I quit caring.

4. Oh, Azra's Zar sisters are completely stereotypical, especially the one who was a major booty head, but then shows moments of almost-niceness? I can't even remember this character's name, because there were so many names and characters just in these 73 pages. (See reason #2) Then, you have the two fluffer Zar sisters that are just there for reasons unknown. And last but not least, the shy, super sweet best friend. But of course, Azra doesn't like any of these 'sisters' of hers, even though she calls one her best friend? Color me confuzzled. 

5. Do I really need to name another? Where was the plot? There wasn't any indication of one with how much I read. Honestly, I had to go reread the synopsis to even remember what the entire book was supposed to be about, other than Azra hating EVERYTHING.

Have you read Becoming Jinn? Did you DNF? Or finish it? What did you think? Is it worth picking up again in the future? 

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5 comments:

  1. I did finish this one and enjoyed it. But in my review I mentioned a few of your problems too. It take about half way through before anything exciting happens. Very slow start. I had trouble keeping the characters straight -- too many too fast. And I also mentioned the repetition of "if we don't obey we will be punished" theme. Over and over. I think if you can get through the beginning, though, it's and interesting premise.

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  2. I've never read it and it was never on my radar to begin with. I read another book with jinni in it last year and it was so bad that it turned me off them for a while. Like non-stop talk about one thing, kind of like this book by the sounds of it!
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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  3. I wasn't too keen on this one to begin with and with other 2 star reviews and your DNF review... I really am sure I'll be skipping this one!

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  4. Love this new feature, and I agree with you wholeheartedly re. Not finishing a book you're not into. Life's too short to waste valuable reading time! It's great that you've thought to list your reasons in point form, makes for a great review even if you didn't finish.

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  5. Amazing DNF review Becca. <3 SO MUCH LOVE FOR YOU. I'm so glad you DNFed this book, lol. I wish I could have read it, though. I got the eARC. But yeah. Not a book for me either. BUT SO GORGEOUS. But yeah. I read so many bad reviews, all saying what you said just after these few pages. Ugh. Sounds like an awful book :( and those are no fun to read. I'm sorry it was so disappointing. But you are awesome. <3 Thank you for sharing sweetie :)

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