Many of us bookworms find ourselves both loving and hating book series that are incomplete. We live in a world of rapid release where delayed gratification lies untapped while drones bring us our next favorite book. But, what if we find ourselves falling in love with a book series that hasn’t been completed yet? Should we even risk it?
Let’s be honest, some people refuse to pick up a book that is part of a series because they simply don’t want to make that commitment. They aren’t sure they have the wherewithal to get attached to a certain group of characters and travel with them through a new world for thousands of pages. But many of us are not only ready to make that commitment, but we are also eagerly searching for the right one.
Book Series and Nurturing Anticipation
Does this sound familiar? You are reading through a book, either savoring it at an easy pace, or turning the pages as fast you can, and then you get to the end only to discover . . . you have to wait till the next book for the resolution you NEED now! And, what??? It will be at least a year before the next book comes out, maybe two or three or {Jesus, come quickly!} longer???
It reminds me of back in the day when I was watching a favorite television show and the season finale literally left the main character stranded in the middle of an ocean. All summer long, there he was in my mind, just bobbing in the waters and about to drown.
Why We Can Wait
Okay, so not everyone is as dramatic as me {praise God!}, but you get the point, right? Why put yourself through the heartache if you are going to wait f o r e v e r for the next installment in a beloved story? Maybe we should just wait till the entire series is written before we pick it up.
Weren’t you thrilled when Marissa Myers (of The Lunar Chronicles) came out with her third and final book in her Renegades series? Yes! Just pop over, buy the whole set, and read them all without having to wait for years .
But if everyone did that, then Jessica Townsend (of the Nevermoor series) would not have just landed her 6-book contract deal. Her third book is out in just a couple of months, and those pre-orders count, readers! They encourage traditional publishers that these are the types of books we want. Pre-orders count for indie-authors, too, because they tell online retailers and indie bookstores what to highlight.
Book Series and Character Growth
I discovered book series that were incomplete over this last year, but I wanted to invest. My criteria were simple and I only needed one to really push me to give the series a chance:
- Was at least the first book easy-to-access?
- Did I know and trust the author?
- Had I heard something promising about the series from a trusted source?
I’m not going to lie and say it always worked out. Several books disappointed me for various reasons {but that’s a different blog post}. I want to talk about the ones I find worth waiting for. For me, the most important thing in any book series is character growth and a redemptive story arc.
There is something satisfying about following characters around and seeing them make gradual changes, for better or worse, as a series progresses. I want a book full of characters who are real, flawed, and quirky. If they learn hard truths, make mistakes, pick themselves up, and eventually find their way–I’m a happy reader!
When you keep searching for the release date of the next book, then you know you found your series. I found this to be true for me after Jessica Townsend’s Nevermoor and Jennifer A. Neilson’s The Traitor’s Game, both of which have a third book coming out this spring {think pre-orders, friends!}
My Own Semi-Complete Book Series
I realize that you are probably in a similar place. You want a fun adventure with characters you love to see develop. You also long for some type of semi-resolution so you can sleep at night. I write what I like to read. When I was developing The Journey Series, I decided to write the entire series in three sets of trilogies. This provides enough story arc over the course of each trilogy that readers will feel satisfied {though still wanting more according to several reviews}. You can find the first three books (updated in 2020 to include the fourth book) in Rapunzel’s Journey here on Amazon, or find the first book for free here on all online stores.
About JacQueline
As the author of The Journey series, a young adult fantasy retelling Rapunzel’s misadventures, JacQueline also wrote Memoirs of a Headcase: Held by the God of Hope, to share hope in the battle against chronic pain and depression. Currently she lives in North Alabama with her karate husband and three book-crazy kids. All opinions expressed on this website come from her own experience. Do not substitute it for professional therapy or medical advice. Any affiliate links used on this website will provide additional income to JacQueline’s family at no additional cost to you.
If you are a reader wanting to connect with JacQueline, you can get a free book here. Each month you will receive book recommendations and other booknerd fun.
Are you a writer or an author looking for help? JacQueline has been writing all her life and loves meeting others who think writing is living. As an author coach, helping other writers on their journey gives her joy. Schedule your free coaching call to learn what steps you should take next now.
photography: Alan Lin, Ben White, Anthony Tran, Jessica “Kess” Vaughn, and Kinga Cichewicz
