Redeeming a disappointing book

 This post title sounds rather lofty, but what I mean is to redeem a book that didn't meet expectations or hopes by talking or writing about it (note, this can be done with other forms of culture too, but I'm trying to be specific!). The idea for this arose from the fact that I started reading the recently-released second book of a trilogy. Now, I had read the first book whenever it was (2022? 2023?) and while I enjoyed it, I remember being left with a distinct sense of unease. I didn't think too much of it and forgot, until I discovered that my partner had started reading the first book in the trilogy while I was possibly around 50% through the second book. 

Now, I will freely admit that when 2 authors cover very similar territory, and I have read both, I am absolutely going to compare them. Book 1 had suffered for me in comparison with the Daevabad trilogy which is simply fantastic. I particularly objected to what felt like very unsubtle implication that 2 characters would enter into a romantic relationship because... that's what happens in myths? However, I told myself, this is the first book. Don't finalize judgement yet!

Into book 2, imagine my dismay to see that YES, these 2 characters would be forced together AND that this forced romantic connection was taking the place of meaningful character development almost entirely for one of them. There were other issues for me, foremost among which was a main character who became nigh-on interminable to the point that I almost couldn't pay attention to her perspective, but you can read the review linked above for more detail on the problems with the book.

To make matters more awkward, my partner enjoyed the first book a great deal, leading me to feel I couldn't discuss the 2nd too much with him. However, this became something to be turned to advantage, as I asked him to read the 2nd book and provide his thoughts as someone who was transitioning straight from book 1 to 2. I feared that I was souring him on the entire series, but when he mentioned that he had reached halfway through the 2nd book and very little had happened... It was validating indeed! 

We subsequently chatted a lot about the books, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Another person can provide such insight and nuance that may never have occurred to you; when you are ahead of them, you can drop oblique hints about certain plot developments and then either discuss them or wait till they've got there... It's difficult to express the why of liking or disliking almost anything, and a compatriot helps us to define this. Sometimes, having given your time to something that disappoints as you were expecting it to do, is intensely frustrating. You wonder why you bothered at all. Having someone to 'break it down' with redeems that disappointment considerably, as it creates a site of shared interest and opportunities to laugh or cringe at particular moments.