Comments on Book Binge: Larissa Ione: The Appeal of the Series

I bought this book, read the first chapter, and I'...

2008-08-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

I bought this book, read the first chapter, and I'll I can say is WOW, it's HOT! It looks like a fabulous read, and I'm excited to have discovered a new author. I'm waiting for the other two books to come out before reading it, because I like the continuity of reading a series back to back.

By the way, I love series. I've recently gotten into paranormal, which is really great when done as a series, i.e., Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter, Jacquelyn Frank, et al.

Thanks Larissa, for writing what I know will be a great series!

Another series fan here, although I would qualify ...

2008-06-25T04:56:00.000-07:00

Another series fan here, although I would qualify that by saying that it depends on the series.

I am quite happy with trilogies or even slightly longer books as long as the quality of the stories are such that they keep my interest. Sometimes you begin to see the same story over again, and then there are those books in a series which trot out all the characters for their time in the limelight in all the books. And please, no unresolved plots running through a dozen books!

I do prefer finite series, and probably 5 books is enough, but then again two of my favourite series are much longer than that, being the In Death series by J D Robb and the Amelia Peabody mysteries by Elizabeth Peters.

Gosh, series are so addicting! I love looking forw...

2008-06-24T22:30:00.000-07:00

Gosh, series are so addicting! I love looking forward to the next read (but not waiting). I think its because with many series, there's a 'world' that the author creates and it deserves to have many stories told with in it. When there's other characters, I just don't want it to end til I know each of them has a HEA! I love now that alot put the series name on the book and makes it easier to find the rest. I do bump into series late and sometimes takes a long time to catch up so I like to read the first in the series then go to the one thats out and go back to read more. Thats happening with Robb's and Kenyon's series and a way for me to get into the series. Most make them stand alone. I used to be so obsessed to read all the books in order but I was missing out alot of what was out and enjoy doing it this way too if i can!

I usually enjoy series that re-introduce couples f...

2008-06-24T21:05:00.000-07:00

I usually enjoy series that re-introduce couples from the first story and bring them to the next books. It's a good way of seeing their future without a short epilogue. I think 3 or 4 is a good number to stop at, if the series is the type where the stories need to connect to each other in chronological order. For a series that COULD be read out of order, I guess it's possible to keep going on and on. It's just not my preference.

I like series, but I also appreciate authors who r...

2008-06-24T20:41:00.000-07:00

I like series, but I also appreciate authors who realize they need a clear cut ending. I think of Colleen Gleason when I say that. She's written a total of 5 books for her Gardella series...and that's it.

There are series that just go on and on and on (Sherrilyn Kenyon comes to mind). Her books are good, but come on already! And especially when you read her website and find out that Acheron's book is the end of the first wave (or whatever term she uses) and that there are 2 more waves planned. My head hurts just thinking about it. :)

I love series, although they're hell on my wallet ...

2008-06-24T18:00:00.000-07:00

I love series, although they're hell on my wallet (and spare room on my bookshelves). About whether or not there should be a set number, I'm torn. If I love the characters and a world, I don't want to think it's ever going to end. Unfortunately, there's always a point where the series turns sour or simply loses its freshness and/or direction. So far, to the exception of Jim Butcher's Dresden files, every single long series (more than 4 books) I've read has ended up disappointing me, even those I was most passionate about at first. It's a very sad thing when you realize that series is never again going to bring you the pleasure, or even satisfaction, it once did. I try not to let that spoil the enjoyment I feel in re-reading older books of said series, though.

I love reading series. I get to revisit my favori...

2008-06-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

I love reading series. I get to revisit my favorite characters and meet some new characters too. I prefer not knowing when it will end. I think as long as it's a great series, it can keep going.

Oh, wow--looks like series are winners! :)But yes,...

2008-06-24T17:30:00.000-07:00

Oh, wow--looks like series are winners! :)

But yes, I do like stand-alones sometimes...seems like they're getting harder to find, though! Authors are writing more and more connected and series books set in the same world or around the same organization/family/etc.

The bad thing about that is that if I don't like the first book, I might not be as willing to try the next.

Thanks for stopping by, everyone, and thanks again, Book Binge ladies, for having me!!!

I like the idea of books set in the same universe,...

2008-06-24T17:11:00.000-07:00

I like the idea of books set in the same universe, whether stand alones or tied to a couple or more books--but it's all in the execution.

I love Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters books, and I think that most of them can be read alone without the overarching subplot overshadowing the main plot of a particular book--but you can also group the books according to different characters' storyarcs, with Sam and Alyssa's being the first one and longest to date, but not by any means the only one.

A different way of having a series is what JD Robb's does with the In Death series--a core cast of characters in a complex and self consistent universe, with new characters coming and some others leaving.

Thanks for sharing, Larissa!

I definitely see the appeal of a series. Personal...

2008-06-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

I definitely see the appeal of a series. Personally, I like trilogies. That way you know the conflict will be resolved within three books.

There are some series that work going longer than 3 books, but I really don't like dragging out a secondary storyline forever. It's really discouraging to a reader.

I'm w/ Holly though. Sometimes I just love a good stand alone.

Great interview! Wow, Larissa really has a lot goi...

2008-06-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

Great interview! Wow, Larissa really has a lot going on. I love the concept of an underworld hospital!

I really enjoy series, but sometimes I crave a goo...

2008-06-24T12:42:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy series, but sometimes I crave a good standalone.

As for having a set number, it depends on the series. I think ones that focus on one character/couple can continue indefinitely, but ones that focus on a group where each individual get a story should stop after a certain number.

Larissa,
Thanks so much for being with us this week.

I need my series to go on. If Robb ever ended her ...

2008-06-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

I need my series to go on. If Robb ever ended her In Death series, I would go into a comma.
Well, if the series did end my pocketbook would be much more heavier. :P

I'm a fan of series. But I often become disinteres...

2008-06-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

I'm a fan of series. But I often become disinterested when they stretch out for too long. I like to know there is an end in sight.

Ilove series...especially when I discover them aft...

2008-06-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

Ilove series...especially when I discover them after several have been published. That way I can satisfy my instant gratification issues! :)

I love series. As long as the story is good and th...

2008-06-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

I love series. As long as the story is good and the characters keep you interested I prefer the series to continue. Which is most of the time. LOL