The Series Series: Part 2
Last week I posted Part 1 of The Series Series, discussing series I’ve read from start to finish and whether I’d recommend them to other readers. It was a lot of fun taking a deeper look at the series I’ve read.
Series can be daunting especially when they have a ton of books in them (e.g. The Wheel of Time series, Harry Potter, Outlander). If the whole series hasn’t been written, you agree to wait years before there’s any closure. And, sometimes the ending is horrible and you get mad for investing so much time into the story.
Despite the time, effort, and possible unhappy outcome of series, I still love reading them. I love being able to stay with some of my favorite characters longer than just one book. I love how much we learn about those characters and the worlds they are a part of.
Part 2: Series I’ve Started
Let’s get started with Part 2 of The Series Series. Today I’ll be discussing series I’ve started but haven’t finished.
Alex Stern Series by Leigh Bardugo
Books Read: NINTH HOUSE
Books Currently Released: 2 out of 3+ books
Current Feeling: I love the dark, creepy, paranormal atmosphere of this series.
Continue: Yes.
Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer
Books Read: ARTEMIS FOWL, THE ARCTIC INCIDENT
Books Currently Released: all, 8 books
Current Feeling: I liked but didn’t love Artemis Fowl. I thought it needed more character and story development. I’ve heard each subsequent book is better than the last.
Continue: Probably.
Ascendance Series by Jennifer A Nielsen
Books Read: THE FALSE PRINCE
Books Currently Released: all, 5 books
Current Feeling: I really enjoyed THE FALSE PRINCE and I’d like to know what happens.
Continue: Yes.
Burning Glass Trilogy by Kathryn Purdie
Books Read: BURNING GLASS
Books Currently Released: all, 3 books
Current Feeling: This trilogy reminded me a little bit of Katherine Arden’s Winternight trilogy. I love the Russian-esque setting and I’d like to see what happens.
Continue: Yes.
Defy Trilogy by Sara B Larson
Books Read: DEFY, IGNITE
Books Currently Released: all, 3 books
Current Feeling: I loved the first two books in this trilogy. I honestly have no idea why I haven’t read ENDURE yet.
Continue: Yes.
The Diviners Series by Libba Bray
Books Read: THE DIVINERS
Books Currently Released: all, 4 books
Current Feeling: I loved THE DIVINERS. I loved its creepy 1920s feel. At the time I read it, the other books in the series hadn’t been released yet and I just haven’t picked the series back up yet.
Continue: Yes.
Dread Nation Duology by Justina Ireland
Books Read: DREAD NATION
Books Currently Released: all, 2 books
Current Feeling: I thought the alternate history of the Civil War with zombies was fascinating. I thought Justina Ireland did an excellent job of showing how systemic racism hurts people of color.
Continue: Yes.
Dune Chronicles by Frank Herbert
Books Read: DUNE
Books Currently Released: all, 6 books
Current Feeling: DUNE is my all-time favorite book. I love it so much. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the rest of the series and I’m afraid that if I hate the other books, then I’ll not love DUNE as much as I do. Fortunately, DUNE ends in a way that I don’t have to continue the series if I don’t want to.
Continue:
Elements of Cadence Duology by Rebecca Ross
Books Read: A RIVER ENCHANTED
Books Currently Released: all, 2 books
Current Feeling: I adored A RIVER ENCHANTED. I meant to read A FIRE ENDLESS last year, but I didn’t get to it. I definitely will this year.
Continue: Yes.
The Glamourist Histories Series by Mary Robinette Kowal
Books Read: SHADES OF MILK AND HONEY
Books Currently Released: all, 5 books
Current Feeling: I thought the first book was only okay. I really liked the concept of glamours; I just couldn’t connect with the characters.
Continue: I might read one more book to see if I like the series more.
Graceling Realm Series by Kristin Cashore
Books Read: GRACELING, FIRE, BITTERBLUE
Books Currently Released: 5 out 6+ books
Current Feeling: I loved the first three books. When I finished reading BITTERBLUE, I wanted more books in this world and I’m so glad Kristin Cashore has written more.
Continue: Yes.
Han Solo Trilogy by AC Crispin
Books Read: THE PARADISE SNARE
Books Currently Released: all, 3 books
Current Feeling: I really enjoyed the first book in the trilogy. I thought it was a good backstory for Han Solo. Even though it’s not cannon anymore, I look forward to reading more.
Continue: Yes.
Heist Society Series by Ally Carter
Books Read: HEIST SOCIETY, UNCOMMON CRIMINALS, PERFECT SCOUNDRELS
Books Currently Released: ?
Current Feeling: Depending on what Ally Carter decides to do with this series, it could be complete. She has said, though, that if a new idea comes to her, she’ll write another book. Anyway, I do love this series. I love Kat and Hale and I need more in this world.
Continue: Yes.
Into the Dark Trilogy by Bree Despain
Books Read: THE SHADOW PRINCE, THE ETERNITY KEY
Books Currently Released: all, 3 books
Current Feeling: I’m a huge fan of Greek mythology and I love the world Bree Despain created. It’s one of my favorite Persephone and Hades retellings. I don’t know why I haven’t read THE IMMORTAL THRONE yet.
Continue: Yes.
Lady Janies Trilogy by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
Books Read: MY LADY JANE
Books Currently Released: all, 3 books
Current Feeling: I adored MY LADY JANE. It’s hilarious, suspenseful, and romantic. I love the alternate history fantasy.
Continue: Yes.
Lumatere Chronicles by Melina Marchetta
Books Read: FINNIKIN OF THE ROCK
Books Currently Released: all, 3 books
Current Feeling: I really enjoyed reading Finnikin’s story. I thought the world-building in this one was fantastic and I’m curious about Froi’s and Quintana’s stories too.
Continue: Yes.
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
Books Read: CINDER
Books Currently Released: all, 4
Current Feeling: I loved CINDER. I thought it was a really interesting retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale. I love the science fiction feel to the story and all the characters.
Continue: Yes.
One of Us is Lying Series by Karen M McManus
Books Read: ONE OF US IS LYING
Books Currently Released: all, 4
Current Feeling: I don’t know why, but ONE OF US IS LYING rubbed me the wrong way. I’ll admit it was suspenseful and I wanted to know what was happening. But, when I found out I was really mad.
Continue: No.
Stalking Jack the Ripper Series by Kerri Maniscalco
Books Read: STALKING JACK THE RIPPER
Books Currently Released: all, 4 books
Current Feeling: I’ve always been fascinated by the history and stories of Jack the Ripper and the first book didn’t disappoint. I’m curious what the other books have in store as well.
Continue: Yes.
The Starry-Eyed Universe Trilogy by Alechia Dow
Books Read: THE SOUND OF STARS
Books Currently Released: all, 3
Current Feeling: I thought THE SOUND OF STARS was really interesting. I liked the science fiction world Alechia Dow built and I’m curious how the series resolves itself.
Continue: Yes.
Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J Maas
Books Read: THE THRONE OF GLASS
Books Currently Released: all, 8
Current Feeling: I really loved THRONE OF GLASS. I thought it was an interesting story and world. I also really loved the characters. I’m looking forward to reading more.
Continue: Yes.
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Trilogy by Jenny Han
Books Read: TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE
Books Currently Released: all, 3
Current Feeling: TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE frustrated me so much. I hated how Jenny Han ended (aka didn’t end) the book. Fortunately, I got an ending from the film. It wasn’t enough to get me to read the other two books, though.
Continue: No.
The Tudor Court Series by Philippa Gregory
Books Read: THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL
Books Currently Released: all, 6
Current Feeling: The Tudor Era is one of my favorite historical time periods. I think the story of Henry VIII and his wives is fascinating, even though he was a horrible human being. I read THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL before I knew it was part of a series. I’m excited to delve more into this era. (This series is now part of a larger 15-book series. I’ll have to decide after I read these if I want to read the others.)
Continue: Yes.
The Winner’s Curse Trilogy by Marie Rutkoski
Books Read: THE WINNER’S CURSE
Books Currently Released: all, 3
Current Feeling: It’s been a while since I’ve read THE WINNER’S CURSE but I loved the story, the world-building, and the characters. I look forward to finding out what happens.
Continue: Yes.
The Wolves of Mercy Falls by Maggie Stiefvater
Books Read: SHIVER, LINGER
Books Currently Released: all, 3
Current Feeling: I’m not a huge fan of shapeshifting lore (i.e. werewolves), but I really like Maggie Stiefvater’s take on it. I also love the characters. Again, I don’t know why I haven’t read FOREVER yet.
Continue: Yes.
Conclusions
I was right. There are a lot more series I’ve started and haven’t finished than ones I’ve read from start to end. I didn’t include all the series I’ve started and not finished either because this post would’ve been a lot longer. I might have to swear off starting new series until I finish the ones I want to continue.
Be sure to tune in next Wednesday for part 3 of The Series Series. I’ll be discussing series I’d like to start (if I hadn’t just sworn off starting new ones, lol).
What about you? Have you read any of these series? Do you agree with my comments? Are there series I don’t plan to continue you think I should? What are some series you’ve started but not finished? Do you plan to continue reading them?
I loved the Graceling and Cinder series although I didn’t realize there were more than the three I’ve already read. I don’t think I could into Winter though and may not have finished it.
Yes, the Graceling Realm series is one of my favorites. 😀 I was excited when I found out Cashore released more books in the series. I can’t wait to read them … Well, I guess I can since I am, lol.
I think I’ll really like the other books in the series with CINDER. I just need to take the time to read them. I’m sorry you couldn’t get into WINTER. That’s always disappointing. 🙁
Have you read the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series? I remember liking that one.
I have not yet. It’s on my TBR, though, and I even own the first two books, lol.
There are a few of these series I’ve started and not finished, but not because I don’t want to, just because I haven’t had time, or I got the first one as an ARC, but didn’t get any others in the series, etc. Some I did try, like I wasn’t a fan of the Cinder series, I didn’t quite get all the fuss personally. This would be a fun post for me to go through and see which series I need to finish all listed out!
I totally get it. That’s where I am for most of these–no time or haven’t gotten the other books. I have a friend who didn’t like CINDER either. When we talk about it, it makes for an interesting discussion. 😀 I’d love to see you do a post like this.