Talking About The Series…
Written by: Larissa on October 27, 2009Okay, it’s no secret that I like to write romances that are connected in a series. I also like to read them. I don’t mind a stand-alone now and then, but I’m one of those people who likes to get really comfortable in a world…and then stay there. It’s why I like movies with sequels. Granted, the sequels often suck, but I still watch them. (Not sure what that says about me.)
Anyway, I’ve noticed something lately — namely, that in a book series, the fourth book is often the weak link. I’m not sure why, and this isn’t always true. But many times, when I’ve read ongoing series’ with several books, either things go bad at book 4, or book 4 is a bump in the road before book 5 gets things going again.
Even in my own writing, the book 4’s have been the hardest. I hope they don’t suck, but I do know that both book 4’s that I’ve written have been incredibly challenging. (Probably should be a hint that I should stick with trilogies!)
Then there are the series that go on forever, series that make it hard for a new reader to jump in. If I hadn’t started reading Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series a long time ago, I think I’d be too intimidated to start now. (Which isn’t to say that you shouldn’t give it a shot — it’s a great series. But do try to read one of the first books first!)
But I’ve definitely found that with most of the long-running series, there’s a jumping off point for me, a point where the stories start to run together, and if not for the world arc in the background to keep me interested in what’s going to happen ultimately in the story world, I don’t know that I’d keep reading some of these series.
So what about you? Do you find that a lot of series have a weak spot/speedbump, or a place where you eventually jump off? What series have kept you reading? Inquiring minds and all that… 
October 27th, 2009 at 10:03 am
There are definitely books which are not as riveting as others, but I usually hang in there for the next book. Sometimes the weaker book is actually setting things up for the next story and without the one book the next would not work as well.
Some of my favorite series - Lora Leigh’s Breeds, Jaci Burton’s Demon Hunters, Shiloh Walker’s Hunters, Nalini Singh’s Psy Changeling, and Larissa Ione’s Demonica books.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:15 am
I have found, some authors tend to lose their muse if they take the series too far. I havent specifically paid attention to when that happens and I certainly dont believe that it affects all series. The Breeds series by Lora Leigh is up in the 20’s now and still going strong. My absolute favorite happens to be the third, and hmmm, the fourth was probably the one I liked the least. I thought in that series because she had talked about this couple in all of the previous books, so maybe they were a little worn out for me.
I have noticed that it is popular to write trilogies. Maybe that is why.
Patty
October 27th, 2009 at 11:00 am
I too love series. Some I have stayed with and can’t wait for the next one and others I quit after they all started running together.
I don’t like to name authors who I have quit reading, so I’ll just say that some should have stayed with trilogies or maybe not written them at all.
October 27th, 2009 at 11:16 am
I’m more into trilogies and stand-alones than series. I do enjoy reading series, but like you said, unless I started from the very beginning, like with yours, it can be a bit intimidating.
October 27th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I guess that right now I am big time into two different series: 1. Maya’s Sweet series and 2. Loreli James’s Rough Rider series. I really look for a good beginning, a good progression and then a wrap up of the plot lines. Right now the former, Sweet Series, just released the 3rd book, and there is at least two more to go. Maya gave us some good updates on the couples from the first two books and now she is moving us toward end of the series. The just released Sweet Seduction rocks, everyone. Go pick it up. As for the latter, Ms. James, in just about to release the last book, via ebook format, in that series and it has been wonderful watching it progress from the beginning. There are 8 in all and each one moves the story along and gives us updates on everyone that we have met in the past. That is kinda what I look for in a good series and these two are my favorites!!
October 27th, 2009 at 11:49 am
I like to read series, I’ve been reading Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series and that series alone has had 17 books so far and she’s not done. I also like her Meredith Gentry series and I think the one that’s coming out at the end of the year is #8 in that series, I like the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs and the next book is #5. I think it has to do with the author and what is going on. Sometimes I think that an author gets tired of the world they’ve created and just doesn’t realize that they need a break.
October 27th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
5 or 6 seems to be the happy numbers for me. After that–unless the series is just heating up–I’m done.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I love a good series and am never intimidated by the size of the series. I started reading Laurell K Hamilton’s Anita books when book 10 came out. Normally if I find an author I really like then I end up reading every thing they’ve written so long series are just a plus. If I could have a job that allowed me to read the books I wanted all day long then I’d have boo-koo over time I swear.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I know what you mean about long series. I haven’t been able to get myself to read the J.D. Robb books because of the intimidating back list.
October 27th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I’m a series reader. And I have a habit of pouting when a series ends. I don’t want to leave that world! I’d never really considered the book 4 thing until you mentioned it, but looking back at the series I read, you’re right. A lot of them do that. J.R. Ward is the first that comes to mind. I reread the first 3 often, but after that, meh. Didn’t like book 4, didn’t like 5, hated book 6, but she seems to be getting back on track with Rehv’s. There is a few other series like that too.
On the other hand, Jaci’s fourth Demon Hunter book is my favorite.
I don’t think I really have a jumping off point. I’m still buying most of my favorite series, even when I don’t like the previous one. The last Laurell K Hamilton was a wall-banger for me but I will be at the bookstore the day that the next one comes out. What can I say? I’m sheep.
Oh, wait! I did stop reading Kim Harrison’s The Hollows. But she had to do the unforgivable for that to happen :(
October 27th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Robyn Carr’s Virgin River books are awesome and she has 3 more coming out in 2010, there were 6 previous ones I beleive. They are ALL wonderful.
Susan Mallery writes wonderful series books and Book 4 of the Buchanans was wonderful, complete turnaround of a wicked character and looks like book 4 of the Titans will be the same. Just picked it up; cannot wait to read it.
October 27th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
For Harry Potter, I found the 4th book the best and the 5th book long and drawn out. But when the 6th book came out, the action was back.
For Romance, I love Shayla Black, Maya Banks and Lauren Dane’s series. I also simply love Cherry Adair’s TFLAC series.
Oh my I could go on. I love series books.
October 28th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Hi Larissa
Funny you should post about this. With the exception Of Lord Of The Rings, movie sequels for me tend to not be so great as they go along. I don’t find that with the books I’ve read. I’ve read 4 series where the last one was my fave. Susan Mallery’s Bakery Sisters, Cindy Gerard’s Bodyguards & the again with her Black Ops. I just finished Hot On Her Heels by Susan Mallery & again it was my fave of the 4. For the author they may be the hardest but maybe that’s when you do the best work LOL.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
The only type of series that I find a “bump” in are the ones that revolve around one character through the entire series. For these there are always the books that leave you hanging and thinking that there is no possible way for the character to achieve a happy end.
Since I am addicted to HEAs, these series drive me crazy. I tried a few and although I really loved the writing in two of them I ultimately decided to just wait until the series ends before I pick them back up and I won’t even do that if the end fails to provide my required dose of HEA.
I’ve not really found a series that I’ve gotten bored with. The longer they go on the more bound up in them I become. Especially those that stick to the original “rules” of the world.The continuity comforts me.
October 29th, 2009 at 8:41 pm