Thursday, June 20, 2013

Highlights & Lowlights: Sequels


Lowlight: I cannot remember anything that happened. Who are you people? What is going on? When did they start dating? So and so died?! This is definitely a biased issue, but I hate it when I can't remember those small (or big) details from book one. It'd be nice if every sequel came with a quick one-page recap. This is one of the reasons why I was glad that Veronica Roth created the "But I Read DIVERGENT a Year Ago" guide - very helpful. 

Highlight: More time with old and new characters! More of the awesome characters that I love? This is, undeniably, one of my favorite parts about series. There's nothing quite like curling up with a sequel and getting the chance to see all of your favorite characters again. Plus, then there are the newbies! Scarlet. Thorne. Sturmhond. And so, so many more. I love new awesome characters.

Lowlight: New love interest or love triangle. Very few writers can actually pull off a well-written love triangle/square/whatever, so I rarely find a love triangle to be fun or interesting. They can be especially annoying when, after all of that struggle to get together in book one, the MC finds a new love interest to swoon over. No thanks. 

Highlight: New and intriguing revelations. I love it when a sequel reveals new secrets, especially when it ties into the first novel. Because then I can be all "WHY DIDN'T I NOTICE THAT IN THE FIRST BOOK? OMG!"

Lowlight: The novel ends on a cliffhanger. And I want to cry, because that is just cruel. This is one of the many reasons why I'm a fan of JK Rowling's HP series - she wrapped up each novel's story arc, perhaps with one or two lingering questions, but never left her reader's with a big cliffhanger.


Highlight: Character development. Elisa and Alina, I'm looking at both of you. There's nothing better than watching a character grow, change, and evolve over multiple novels. 

Lowlight: Nothing happens. And I mean nothing. Just random and meaningless wanderings. Throughout the entire story, nothing significant occurs because it's a filler book. Who wants to read a book where the only obvious goal is to get to the third novel? What a waste of time. 

Highlight: More amazing settings. Like Hogwarts. I want to live at Hogwarts. Plus, sequels give readers a chance to view different settings. SIEGE AND STORM begins in a completely different area than the first story left off, and INSURGENT introduces readers to different factions and their homes. It's interesting to read about different settings, especially for fantasy or futuristic novels. 

Lowlight: The MC or Love Interest change from awesome to annoying. Which is always a shame. Character development works both ways, and sometimes, they develop in all of the wrong ways. I loved Four in DIVERGENT, but I really wanted to slap him (and Tris) by the time I was done reading INSURGENT. It drives me crazy whenever characters I loved in the first novel start acting like idiots in the sequel. 

Highlight: New perspectives. I loved BITTERBLUE, a sequel / companion novel to GRACELING, so much because it gave me insight into a different character and part of that world. The title character in SCARLET was a fantastic addition the cast of main characters, even though I was wary at first. 

What do you love and hate about sequels? 

24 comments:

  1. I agree that it can be frustrating if you don't remember things that happened in the earlier books. Sometimes I reread the earlier books before I pick up the new one so everything is fresh in my mind. At other times when I start to reread, I just give up and never finish the series...

    My favorite sequels are those that move the story along, show growth, and improve on previous books. That doesn't happen very often but it certainly did in the Harry Potter books!

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    1. I always try to reread earlier books, but sometimes it's just too difficult to find the time!

      "My favorite sequels are those that move the story along, show growth, and improve on previous books. That doesn't happen very often but it certainly did in the Harry Potter books!" - Yes! The HP books are the perfect example of how to write good sequels. Each had a compelling story and growth.

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  2. Sequels (and series) are a hot button topic with me. I love series. I really do...but so many of them simply lag on the second book and just bide their time for the next installment. I always want to see more development, more intrigue, more mystery and, generally, MORE. Harry Potter was definitely one of those series that did that for me :)

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    1. I love series/sequels, but I also have issues with them sometimes (which is why I'm very glad that the last few sequels I've read recently have rocked, because I'm usually very disappointed in them).

      "I always want to see more development, more intrigue, more mystery and, generally, MORE." - Agreed! Otherwise, it's just not as fun to read. Thank goodness for the HP series - Rowling gave all of that and more! :)

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  3. YES! The "I can't remember what happened" happens to me all the time. Usually, I have to just power on through and hope that the story finally clicks and I remember. Most of the time it happens. When it doesn't...well, I guess that first book didn't leave much of an impression.

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    1. I usually keep pushing on through the story too, and usually manage to remember a few important details. I still wish that sequels came with a one-page recap for what happened in the last novel - if TV shows can do it, why not books? ;)

      "When it doesn't...well, I guess that first book didn't leave much of an impression." Yup. Only the books you truly enjoy and love will stick in your memory!

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  4. Oooo love this feature Lea! I agree with pretty much everything you said, mainly the can't remember aspect and the introduction of a new love interest aspect. I always put off a sequel in favor of picking up the first book in a new series even though I desperately want to know what happens in the sequel, and it's strictly because I hate the confusion in the first few chapters when I can't remember those little details you mentioned. And I of course fear a love triangle. Like you said, they typically work so hard to be together in the first book and then BAM new guy (or girl) enters the picture and drama ensues. Even with all that though, I'm a series girl, and I will start a series over a stand alone book every time. I love getting to spend so much time with the same set of characters!

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    1. I put off sequels in favor for the first book sometimes too. And, the dreaded new-love-interest aspect. *sighs*

      Still, I agree, I love series. Most of my favorite novels are a part of a series. "I love getting to spend so much time with the same set of characters!" - YES! It's so nice to stick with a familiar cast of characters. It's easier to enjoy and fall in love with characters over multiple books :)

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  5. Agree with every single one of your highlights and lowlights.

    At one time I counted over 40 series on my bookshelves and realized I couldn't remember characters/plots from over half of them so I gave them up.

    I really hate when the author convinces us that a couple is destined for each other and they fight so hard to be together (as you mentioned) and then book two rolls around - enter new hot boy and poof - love triangle! lol

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    1. "I really hate when the author convinces us that a couple is destined for each other and they fight so hard to be together (as you mentioned) and then book two rolls around - enter new hot boy and poof - love triangle!" - I know, right? It's like 'thanks for getting us readers all excited about the original love interest, only to break our hearts by bringing in some random new guy!' ;)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. In counter to "can't remember anything that happened," I hate it when you pick up the sequel right after finishing the first book, and the author does a REALLY good job of filling people in on stuff from the previous book within the first few chapters, and you're like, "I know all of this already. Get to the point." Ha! It's hard to keep readers happy, I guess.

    Fantastic post! :)

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    1. "I hate it when you pick up the sequel right after finishing the first book, and the author does a REALLY good job of filling people in on stuff from the previous book within the first few chapters, and you're like, 'I know all of this already. Get to the point.'" - Yes! I cannot believe I forgot about that, because you're so right. There's a fine line between too little and too much recap.

      Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  7. I love this post! In the past I would read book 1 and for some reason book 2, 3, etc. was already published. I didnt have my finger on the pulse of book releases like I do now. So the wait was as long as it took to finish book 1. Now? My goodness I waited almost 2 years for Unwind part 2! I sometimes have to re-read book 1 or skim it to get UTD again.
    I think I'll read your Divergent guide. I need to finish Insurgent.
    I received Scarlet from a giveaway on a blog & I bought hardcover Cinder (listening to it now because it was sent to me to review on audiobook form) I am LOVING the story. I am happy I have Scarlet to slip seamlessly into.
    Sometimes the wait makes the 2nd book sweeter.
    Sadly I am quite impatient when I love a story and will sky write the publisher to receive an ARC if my book-obsession gets that bad. I think it only happened once ;)
    Glad to be a new follower. Cant wait to read more awesome posts!

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    1. I kind of miss those days of being able to read an entire series back to back - whereas now, I read books so early that the wait is even longer for the next book!

      "Sometimes the wait makes the 2nd book sweeter." - true, the wait can sometimes be a good thing. It makes me appreciate a sequel more as I read it!

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  8. Great list.

    I love the first one. It's why I'm so grateful for The Recaptains now (http://recaptains.blogspot.com/p/the-recaptains.html).

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    1. Thanks! And agreed about Recaptains - they are such a lifesaver!

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  9. Oh this is brilliant. I basically agree with you on everything, especially when the sequel introduces a new love interest - ugh! It's so annoying! I am getting fed up of love triangles, I really am. I also have a tendency not to remember anything that happened...especially if the wait for the sequel has been a long one. I end up staring at the page trying to remember who the characters are :P.

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    1. "I end up staring at the page trying to remember who the characters are " - glad I'm not the only one who does that! It can be hard to remember everything that happens, especially as a book blogger (since we bloggers read so many books)!

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  10. There are so many ups and downs to sequels. I feel like with any series book I have a hard time remembering what the heck happened in the previous book or books. I find myself having to go back to my shelf to reread part of the first or previous book just so I can be up to date again and not wonder what on earth is going on during the first 50 pages of a sequel or series book.

    Great post!

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    1. "I feel like with any series book I have a hard time remembering what the heck happened in the previous book or books." - YES. I love sequels, but it can be a challenge to recall everything that happened in the last book! I sometimes have to reread bits and pieces of the first novel, too.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. I hate when sequels turn into opportunities for love triangles. It's like the author can't think of anything else to keep the romance interesting. They should either slow the romance waaaaaaaaaaaay down (I love slow burn!) so that it evolves over the whole series or write about what happens after two people decide to be together. Admitting mutual attraction does not a relationship make. There are other relationship hurdles besides another love interest.

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    1. "It's like the author can't think of anything else to keep the romance interesting." - true. And agreed about a slow burn romance - those can be fantastic!

      "Admitting mutual attraction does not a relationship make. There are other relationship hurdles besides another love interest." - Good point! It'd be nice to see the original relationship begin to form, strengthen, and develop, instead of throwing in another love interest.

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  12. I have so much trouble remembering plot points sometimes-I really appreciate authors who can weave in reminders in the second/third/etc. books without slowing down the plot and while still expanding our knowledge of the world.

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    1. "I really appreciate authors who can weave in reminders in the second/third/etc. books without slowing down the plot and while still expanding our knowledge of the world." - Agreed! It's very tricky to find the right balance when it comes to helping the readers remember the last book(s), but when it's done right, it's so helpful!

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