I have to assume Maas’ popularity is not coming from the first book. It’s incredibly mid and I had zero investment in the love story. I was like “eh, whatever, I bought them all, may as well keep going.” The second book is a complete 180. The books don’t improve much writing wise, but you end up with a bunch of likable characters that don’t show up until the second book and the characters make the books a lot more fun to read. Suddenly it’s campy enjoyable sexy bad and not just mediocre bad. The second book is metaphorically (and kinda literally) night and day from the first book. For what it’s worth.
I have to assume Maas’ popularity is not coming from the first book. It’s incredibly mid and I had zero investment in the love story. I was like “eh, whatever, I bought them all, may as well keep going.” The second book is a complete 180. The books don’t improve much writing wise, but you end up with a bunch of likable characters that don’t show up until the second book and the characters make the books a lot more fun to read. Suddenly it’s campy enjoyable sexy bad and not just mediocre bad. The second book is metaphorically (and kinda literally) night and day from the first book. For what it’s worth.