I figured it was time to do another DNF post, and both of these hurt! I do want to say that a lot of readers love both books, so do keep that in mind as you’re reading my personal opinions. Both books were gifted to me by the publishers (Titan Books and Orbit Books), and I appreciate the review copies.
Startup Hell by Caitlin Rozakis
This was an especially sad DNF, because I really enjoyed the author’s last book. I gave Start up Hell a good shot and read to page 162 before giving up. This is a fantasy revolving around an entry level sales rep working for a tech start-up company, who finds herself in an odd situation after her boss summons a demon and the demon ends up getting stuck on our plane. Morgan must work with the demon—Luke—who is also in sales and is very attractive to boot. In order for Luke to return to his realm, he has to legitimately claim a soul.
There’s a lot more going on, but the first half of the story is so “sales jargon” heavy that I was bored to tears. Rozakis is trying to set the scene—this is a familiar, corporate world that many readers will recognize—but with the inclusion of supernatural creatures like demons. Had the corporate speak ended earlier in the story—really, it didn’t take me long to understand what the author was going for—I might have continued. As it was, I was forcing myself to pick up the book, so ultimately I decided to end my torment. The dialog was quite funny, which didn’t surprise me at all, but it wasn’t enough to keep the boredom away.
Hopeless Necromantic by Shiloh Briar
I so wanted to love this! I mean look at the adorable cover! This is a story about a necromancer, a trope I usually love, but honestly, I couldn’t even begin to tell you what this is about. Even the blurb on Goodreads doesn’t make much sense.
I believe Hopeless Necromantic was self published prior to being picked up by Orbit, and while I understand that’s not a reason to dislike it, many books in this category fail for me, simply because the editing by the traditional publisher doesn’t necessarily improve on the original. And along those lines, I think this didn’t work for me because the author started the story in the wrong place. I felt like I was dumped into a story that was already well off the ground, and I never found my footing. I was never charmed by the cute characters on the cover, and nothing in the 60 pages I read compelled me to keep reading.
Hmmm…too much “sales jargon” would probably bore me as well. As for Hopeless Necromantic, what you said about starting the story in the wrong place is interesting. I’ve never had that experience, but it must be potentially jarring.
I just felt “dumped” into the story with very little context. When I’m confused in the very beginning, I feel like it’s for that reason, the story started in the wrong place.
Dang, that’s too bad about Startup Hell. I’m way down the audiobook wait-list for it. Hopefully I’ll get into it a little more, it we’ll find out.
Maybe the audio will work better???
I still need to read Hopeless Necromantic that I got a copy of recently so I’m really crossing my fingers that I will enjoy it more than you did. But you never know… sometimes we read a book that doesn’t end up to being one for us.
I do hope you love it!
I hate when books I think will be good disappoint.
Me too, so sad…
Sorry to hear about your two recent DNFs, its always so disappointing when a book doesnt work for you. I can see the sale jargon feeling a bit OTT and grating on me too. I may still give Hopeless Necromantic a try though. I actually overlooked it at first but I keep seeing it mentioned and have grown curious.
I’d love to read more reviews for Hopeless Necromantic, so if you do read it, I’ll definitely check out your review.
Darn and they both look and sound so promising. I may give them a try but the sales jargon one will definitely be on audio so I can speed it up if I need to.
Today must be a good to post the DNF’s because I did too, haha! I hope all of your reads this week are excellent.
I’m headed over to check out your post!
Oof, sorry these fell a bit flat for you. Your description of the new Rozakis book reminds me a bit of another fantasy book that also incorporated some business jargon. I DNF that one as well I was bored.
Maybe because I am stuck in the corporate world, I just didn’t want to be reminded of work in my free time.
Thankfully neither of these were on my radar. Always sorry to see someone DNF, but better that then waste precious time slogging through something that just isn’t working for us when there’s so much more out there to try (something I’m always trying to remind myself to do, as I find it very difficult to DNF even though I think it’s a good thing to do).
I am trying to DNF more for that very reason. It’s hard though, when you think “it might get better.”
Sorry to hear these didn’t work for you. I’d seen some other good reviews, so don’t know if I’ll get to them. You got quite a ways before DNFing though, so you gave it a good shot! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2026/07/08/truman-26-27-review-2-bye-forever-i-guess-by-jodi-meadows/
I really tried to finish it, but my mind kept wandering so I finally gave up.
Aw, shame these didn’t work out for you! I’ve been curious about Startup Hell, especially as I have contracted for several startups!
You might really love it then!
Robin reviewed Startup Hell.
I will check out her review:-)
Aw, sadness, they both have cute covers and interesting premises, but I am definitely with you on the reasons you stopped! Sales jargon would absolutely bore me to tears too, and I (unfortunately) have to agree about the self-pub thing- like they sometimes do need more than just a regular editing before heading back out there! Sorry these didn’t work for you!
It’s also sad because I’ve seen glowing reviews for both books!
Aww, sorry these didn’t work out, especially Hopeless Necromantic. Love that cover.
I know! The covers screams “read me,” so sad.
I think I’m growing more and more tepid on how traditional publishing houses are handling the more campy side of cozy and romantasy genres. In general, I’ve found a much higher hit rate amongst self-published works. Sometimes it feels like I’m walking through a theme park with the big publishers, where I’m reading the book and everything feels artificial. Maybe I’m just picking up the wrong ones though.
I just finished reading Startup Hell…and there were several times I almost quit on it because of all the sales jargon and how slowly the plot seemed to drag especially in the middle….but I did manage to finish it. I liked Luke and Morgan, but this one was definitely nowhere as good as her two previous novels. I gave it 3 stars, but for me it was a disappointing read.
It’s too bad but good for you on DNF’ing. I have a bad habit of sticking with it and giving myself a headache…lol. It makes me hesitant to try new authors.
I really dislike dnf’ing a book but these days it does happen – I used to be a lot more strict about completing books but I find it puts me off reading if I force myself to read something I’m not enjoying, and sometimes a book just doesn’t work for you even though it works for others.
Sad but true.
Lynn 😀
I am sorry Hopeless Necromantic didn’t work for you! I have started Startup Hell but something is not working for me so it’s on hold at the moment.
I need to get my review up for Hopeless Necromantic soon. I completely understand the DNF. I finished it and enjoyed it in the end but think I’m only giving it a 3 star. I really liked Ben, the skeleton and he kind of kept me going. There is a second book but don’t know if I will pick it up but I am curious enough I probably will. Sorry these didn’t work for you but best to move on when you get that feeling!
Glad to see you doing DNF posts, I find them very helpful. Startup Hell was one I was curious about but I don’t like the sound of that beginning jargon, I would have been bored to tears too! I’ll have to do a DNF post of my own soon, just came back from a vacation and there were quite a few I put aside because I was just not feeling them while I was on my trip.