Maybe it's just me but have you noticed how almost every new book you pick up is part of a series. Of the last 30 books I read 8 of them were stand alone stories. I am not complaining I am just wondering if it is me or a trend I had not noticed.
We can all agree that we have read plenty of amazing series such as Harry Potter by J.K Rowling and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I cannot imagine these stories being as great if they would have been a stand alone book. It took more than one book to develop the wonderful characters and to allow us to get to know their incredible world.Yet, tonight as I finished Nevermore by Kelly Creagh I was left wondering why lately I have not been able to finish a book and be done with the story. I am always left waiting sometimes more than a year to see what happens next to the characters. It's even worst when the author decides to end the book in an OMG! cliff-hanger ending.
I just can't help but wonder if all of these books really need to be a series or if the publisher or author have just decided to milk the cow for all it's worth. Some book series get better with every installment such as The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. Cassandra's ability to keep the reader engulfed in the world of shadow-hunters is amazing. After four book I am anxiously awaiting the 5th with as much, if not more anticipation as I did the 2nd.Then there are those series where the author just seems to make the story longer by taking the main characters on a journey of random struggles to that in the end seem pointless because the story could have been amazing if you would have just compacted it into one book.
In my opinion, there are two types of series. Those that you read because you enjoy and will be sad when you will have to say good bye to the characters and those that you read because you have read two or three in the series and you just want to see how it all ends.
What are your thought on this topic? Have you noticed the same trend in the books you read?
I have actually had the same thoughts recently. As much as there are books where I hate that it's over and can't wait for the next in the series. There are also times when I think, why can't I just be done with this at the end of this book. It's okay to end here. So I agree with you here.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. I've read a few books recently that ended on a cliff-hanger & when you get the next ones there's no reason it couldn't have all been one book instead of 5. Some series are great, but others just seem like the story was slowed down & drug out just to make it a series. Personally I love a good stand-alone. Companions can be nice too. Where it's kind of similar, but you don't have to read all of the books because they aren't exactly a series.
ReplyDeleteGood points and I totally agree with you - not every book needs to be (or even deserves to be) part of a series.
ReplyDeleteI'm usually not a fan of series. I really have no qualms about not reading beyond the first book. I especially hate it when the romance is basically resolved by the end of the first book--romantic tension is what keeps me reading half the time, so when it's been resolved, I don't really have any motivation to read the rest of the series. I think that's why I love contemporary YA so much--they're usually stand alone books. I am really getting into the Vampire Academy series. And I really want to try Mortal Instruments. Great post!
ReplyDeletei enjoy series - IF they are good. usually there's always one in the series in that's awesome and one that kinda sucks but all-in-all sometimes you need more than one book esp if it's well written and if the characters are well developed. I'm currently reading City of Bones. I'm glad that you enjoyed them and are awaiting the 5th book. I hope to like them as much as you do!
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