Do you start on a trilogy knowing the last book is not out! - Page 6

NVash · 11-18-2010, 05:09 PM

I usually never wait and I regret it every time. Problem is when you dont wait you end up with massive To Read lists which have many books in each series. You might read one book in one series, go on to the next series, keep on like that and by the time you get back around to the original series you forgot just about everything you had just read. Rarely do I read books in the same series back to back but Im seriously considering doing that for Harry Potter. Then again, JK has hinted at a possible eighth book, maybe I should leave that one as is.

Bittybye · 11-18-2010, 07:13 PM

No, I've started a few trilogies and series before it was finished. Boy was I sorry I did that. I am in impatient person by nature and waiting months (usually years) between books drives me nuts.

Right now I'm waiting for the last Fever book by Karen Marie Moning to be published. But after that I'm waiting for every book to be out before I even try.

Rumpelteazer · 11-19-2010, 06:00 AM

Yes, only once or twice it happened that the series wasn't finished or that I simply couldn't get one or more of the books in the Netherlands.

There are enough books to read whilst waiting for the next book in the series. I put the author on my list and regularly check if they are releasing anything new and if possible I subscribe to their newsletter.

jehane · 11-19-2010, 01:44 PM

There's a difference between ongoing series which has more or less standalone novels set in the same setting and with some of the same characters versus the trilogy (or however many volumes) which is one big story split up into several volumes. Eg The Lord of the Rings is a single story which was originally written as six volumes, but is usually published in three volumes. The Hobbit and a lot of his other works are part of the Middle Earth series, but are separate stories and you don't need to read all of them to complete any given story, whereas you do need to read all 3/6 volumes of TLOTR to finish the story.

I haven't got the discipline to not start trilogies, although having been burnt several times I try to only start with reliable authors (yes, there are several around). If it's a new author I'm unlikely to be buying anyway - I usually discover new authors through the library and then if I like it enough I will buy my own copy to re-read.

The main ones that have burnt me:
Melanie Rawn - Exiles - I check back at the site occasionally but it doesn't look like it will ever be written.
Isobelle Carmody - Obernewtyn -the first book came out in 1987 and the final (sixth) book is yet to be written.

I started WoT and ASoIaF but neither held my interest for long, thank goodness!

There's a few others that I started as a kid (borrowed from library) and was never able to find the rest of the series, although that's not the author's fault. One trilogy I found book 3 in a 2nd hand bookshop a decade or so later just by chance, but I'm sorry to say that on re-reading the story didn't live up to my memories of it.

sabredog · 11-19-2010, 07:25 PM

The best example I can come up with was Michael McCollum's Antares series.

Waaaay back in 1988, a friend lent me the first book in the trilogy "Antares Dawn". I enjoyed the book so much, I sourced a second-hand copy of the second book "Antares Passage" and a copy of the first book I had just read.

I then started to source the last book in the trilogy and back before the internet, this was done by contacted bookstores and asking if it can be ordered.

Alas, nothing. I tried for 5 years before being told by an astute staff member at Angus and Robertson that Michael McCollum had never written the final book. It was a further 10 years before that same mate of mine found Mike's website and the fact he had just self published all his books including Antares Victory.

Sadly, though, my wife and I were down and out financially. Both second time arounders, we were struggling because her ex husband was not paying maintenance and I still was. Tough times and no purchases of books. Those years from 2001 - 2003 were hard.

I finally got an ebook copy in 2007, close to a 20 year wait for that third and final book.

It was worth it

Falbe Publishing · 11-19-2010, 10:19 PM

I tend to be a reader who picks up a book and may not realize it is a series. If I enjoy the book, I will get the next part in the series and keep reading. If it's not available I find something else and maybe pick up with the series when the next book comes out.

Sometimes, when I'm enjoying a series, I intentionally wait before getting the next book just because I want to stretch out the enjoyment or save something good for the future. I read a lot of nonfiction, but when I need a break, I like to have a fiction book I'm looking forward to ready to grab. I've been doing this over the years with the Earth's Children series by Jean M. Auel. Shelters of Stone is the next one I have to read. I'll be bumping it up the list since I heard another book is coming out.

I share the frustration expressed by some of you regarding George R.R. Martin's fantastic series that has fizzled. I'm still hoping Book 5 shows up and redeems the series from the strange mess that was Book 4.

On a personal note, I am an author of a series. It is complete. I am also writing another series and do not intend to publish any of it until every novel is written. So, no one who enjoys my fiction need ever wait to continue or wonder when the next book is coming. I don't invite people over for dinner, serve appetizers, and then tell everyone I'll be out grocery shopping.

BlackVoid · 11-20-2010, 07:38 AM

No.

Any unfinished series is in the "don't touch" category. GRRM might be good, but he will probably die before he finishes his series.

DiapDealer · 11-20-2010, 07:53 AM

Quote:

I am also writing another series and do not intend to publish any of it until every novel is written.

You are my hero. If only more authors would take this approach.

Although I must admit, it's not the wait for the next book that peeves me the most. It's the fact that the publishing industry allows unknown (untried, untested) authors to release a debut novel that leaves readers in the lurch. **cough, Pat Rothfuss, cough** The cliff-hanger isn't a literary tool -- it's a marketing tool. And it ticks me off to no end that my favorite genre (speculative fiction) seems to think this is acceptable behavior, while in all other genres, this tactic is the exception rather than the rule. Grrr.

frostschutz · 11-20-2010, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkpadx

How do you relate to reading books that comes in a trilogy, do you wait for all the books to be published or do you start right away?

While I prefer finished trilogy (or comic series for that matter), I also read them as they come out. Depends whether it's something you really want to read or not. For example, no, I couldn't've waited for the last Harry Potter book to come out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falbe Publishing

I am also writing another series and do not intend to publish any of it until every novel is written.

But that also means you won't be getting any feedback from readers until it's complete. What if nobody likes the first book of the series...

Gwen Morse · 11-20-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkpadx

How do you relate to reading books that comes in a trilogy, do you wait for all the books to be published or do you start right away?

I tend to want to wait before all books is out and then start to read.

I guess this is not how the author would want it, but for me this is what works best.
This is especially true if the first book doesn't give any form of closure and you know it's a long time before the next one will be out.

Rarely. Robert Jordan ruined it for me, with the Wheel of Time books. The original series was supposed to be 3 books...and still isn't complete now that he's dead. The last "book" is being released as three volumes and co-written/cleaned up by a second author. When the last book is published the series will have 15 volumes.

I've been waiting for closure to this series since I was given the first two books for Christmas, 1990. Well, that's not quite fair, obviously I didn't expect the series to be finished in 1990. But, I was gifted with the first two books of a "great new trilogy" and I still don't have my ending.

Maggie May · 11-20-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

Martin's series is fantastic. Perhaps give it a try after the last volume comes out (in 20 years or so

- Just kidding. I imagine the upcoming HBO series based on his books will help force him to speed the series along.) All joking aside, I really enjoy Martin's series and I have recommended it to many people, including my very picky husband, who thought the books were amazing.

Hi,
I have to admit I hadn't heard of George R.R. Martin before I saw both your post and post by Lemurion. His books wouldn't have been my genre choice at all. However, between you, you both managed to pique my interest. Did a quick search at Fictionwise and others and having been very impressed with his style of writing after reading a chapter, I was ready to purchase the four books on offer, only to discover I was unable to do so due to the dreaded Geographic Restrictions.

When I read the first excerpt of A Game Of Thrones I was completely hooked. I just had to start the series even though it's not complete YET. Since I could'nt purchase eBooks due to GR. I had to buy the first four books in Paperback, which I did this morning. I'm looking forward to starting the first book. So thank you for the intro to G.R.R.Martin.

Mag.

mrscoach · 11-20-2010, 12:05 PM

I don't wait for final books, generally. There was even one trilogy I started after all books were out, only because I hadn't heard of it before, and when I got to the final book I HATED it. I've heard others loved it, but I couldn't get into it. It was the "His Dark Materials" series. I know there is no way to know if you will like ALL of a series before reading them, but I learned to just enjoy the books you have, and not worry about future volumes.

Lady Fitzgerald · 11-20-2010, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrscoach

I don't wait for final books, generally. There was even one trilogy I started after all books were out, only because I hadn't heard of it before, and when I got to the final book I HATED it. I've heard others loved it, but I couldn't get into it. It was the "His Dark Materials" series. I know there is no way to know if you will like ALL of a series before reading them, but I learned to just enjoy the books you have, and not worry about future volumes.

While I agree the first book was the best and the last the worst, I still enjoyed the book (I bought the version with all three books in one volume) even though I vehemently disagreed with the "message" Pullman was delivering. I was curious about the uproar the Christian community had raised about how unsuitable it was for children. Having now read it (something many detractors hadn't done, similar with the uproar raised over Harry Potter), I have to agree. However, it's mostly because the book is too intense, violent, and complex for most children. However, I do not believe in censoring children who actually are willing to wade through this monster. Shielding children from the world they will eventually have to face on their own does nothing to prepare them for it. It would be far better to read along with them and have discussions along the way.

Getting back to the ranch, I can see how waiting until all books of a series are out before starting the first is an advantage. You don't have to worrry about if the last book(s) will ever be written or not and you can always stop reading at any time. My problem is I'm impatient and, sometimes, I'm also concerned about a plot or ending being revealed if I don't read it right away (such as with the Harry Potter series).

mrscoach · 11-20-2010, 04:00 PM

I started Harry Potter after the fourth book came out, simply because I hadn't heard of it before. I am so glad I didn't wait for all 7, because I would have missed much enjoyment over the years by reading, rereading, and discussing plot clues with others. I am one of those who preordered and waited, in store, for the midnight releases of 5-7.

I might have been very upset if something had happened to Rowling before the final book, but she had so many notes that I'm sure we would have eventually found out what happened, even if it wasn't in her writing style. Heck, they could probably just copy all her notes, bind them and release them and it would be a hit because of all the people who will read every little tidbit of background.

GraceKrispy · 11-20-2010, 05:50 PM

I tend to grab books that are interesting to me, and then be delighted (if the book was good) that it is part of a series. The problem with as-yet incomplete series is that, by the time the next book is out I've forgotten everything that happened up to that point because I've read a gazillion other books in the meantime. When I hit on a series I like, I generally read every book available, and then I'm much less interested in the next book when it finally comes out because I'm moved on.

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11-18-2010, 05:09 PM	#76
NVash Wandering Vagabond Posts: 282 Karma: 350000 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: iPod Touch	I usually never wait and I regret it every time. Problem is when you dont wait you end up with massive To Read lists which have many books in each series. You might read one book in one series, go on to the next series, keep on like that and by the time you get back around to the original series you forgot just about everything you had just read. Rarely do I read books in the same series back to back but Im seriously considering doing that for Harry Potter. Then again, JK has hinted at a possible eighth book, maybe I should leave that one as is.

11-18-2010, 07:13 PM	#77
Bittybye Addict Posts: 262 Karma: 505124 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: PRS-T2	No, I've started a few trilogies and series before it was finished. Boy was I sorry I did that. I am in impatient person by nature and waiting months (usually years) between books drives me nuts. Right now I'm waiting for the last Fever book by Karen Marie Moning to be published. But after that I'm waiting for every book to be out before I even try.

11-19-2010, 06:00 AM	#78
Rumpelteazer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,331 Karma: 27919658 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands Device: Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition	Yes, only once or twice it happened that the series wasn't finished or that I simply couldn't get one or more of the books in the Netherlands. There are enough books to read whilst waiting for the next book in the series. I put the author on my list and regularly check if they are releasing anything new and if possible I subscribe to their newsletter.

11-19-2010, 01:44 PM	#79
jehane Book addict Posts: 441 Karma: 2650464 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Antarctica/Australia/Ohio Device: Sony PRS-300/T1/Asus TF101	There's a difference between ongoing series which has more or less standalone novels set in the same setting and with some of the same characters versus the trilogy (or however many volumes) which is one big story split up into several volumes. Eg The Lord of the Rings is a single story which was originally written as six volumes, but is usually published in three volumes. The Hobbit and a lot of his other works are part of the Middle Earth series, but are separate stories and you don't need to read all of them to complete any given story, whereas you do need to read all 3/6 volumes of TLOTR to finish the story. I haven't got the discipline to not start trilogies, although having been burnt several times I try to only start with reliable authors (yes, there are several around). If it's a new author I'm unlikely to be buying anyway - I usually discover new authors through the library and then if I like it enough I will buy my own copy to re-read. The main ones that have burnt me: Melanie Rawn - Exiles - I check back at the site occasionally but it doesn't look like it will ever be written. Isobelle Carmody - Obernewtyn -the first book came out in 1987 and the final (sixth) book is yet to be written. I started WoT and ASoIaF but neither held my interest for long, thank goodness! There's a few others that I started as a kid (borrowed from library) and was never able to find the rest of the series, although that's not the author's fault. One trilogy I found book 3 in a 2nd hand bookshop a decade or so later just by chance, but I'm sorry to say that on re-reading the story didn't live up to my memories of it.

11-19-2010, 07:25 PM	#80
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	The best example I can come up with was Michael McCollum's Antares series. Waaaay back in 1988, a friend lent me the first book in the trilogy "Antares Dawn". I enjoyed the book so much, I sourced a second-hand copy of the second book "Antares Passage" and a copy of the first book I had just read. I then started to source the last book in the trilogy and back before the internet, this was done by contacted bookstores and asking if it can be ordered. Alas, nothing. I tried for 5 years before being told by an astute staff member at Angus and Robertson that Michael McCollum had never written the final book. It was a further 10 years before that same mate of mine found Mike's website and the fact he had just self published all his books including Antares Victory. Sadly, though, my wife and I were down and out financially. Both second time arounders, we were struggling because her ex husband was not paying maintenance and I still was. Tough times and no purchases of books. Those years from 2001 - 2003 were hard. I finally got an ebook copy in 2007, close to a 20 year wait for that third and final book. It was worth it

11-19-2010, 10:19 PM	#81
Falbe Publishing Gadget Slave Posts: 264 Karma: 600001 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Battle Creek, Michigan Device: Sony PRS505SC	I tend to be a reader who picks up a book and may not realize it is a series. If I enjoy the book, I will get the next part in the series and keep reading. If it's not available I find something else and maybe pick up with the series when the next book comes out. Sometimes, when I'm enjoying a series, I intentionally wait before getting the next book just because I want to stretch out the enjoyment or save something good for the future. I read a lot of nonfiction, but when I need a break, I like to have a fiction book I'm looking forward to ready to grab. I've been doing this over the years with the Earth's Children series by Jean M. Auel. Shelters of Stone is the next one I have to read. I'll be bumping it up the list since I heard another book is coming out. I share the frustration expressed by some of you regarding George R.R. Martin's fantastic series that has fizzled. I'm still hoping Book 5 shows up and redeems the series from the strange mess that was Book 4. On a personal note, I am an author of a series. It is complete. I am also writing another series and do not intend to publish any of it until every novel is written. So, no one who enjoys my fiction need ever wait to continue or wonder when the next book is coming. I don't invite people over for dinner, serve appetizers, and then tell everyone I'll be out grocery shopping.

11-20-2010, 07:38 AM	#82
BlackVoid Evangelist Posts: 415 Karma: 510423 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Sony PRS-505	No. Any unfinished series is in the "don't touch" category. GRRM might be good, but he will probably die before he finishes his series.

11-20-2010, 12:05 PM	#87
mrscoach Guru Posts: 767 Karma: 4837659 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Angelo Texas Device: Samsung Galaxy tab	I don't wait for final books, generally. There was even one trilogy I started after all books were out, only because I hadn't heard of it before, and when I got to the final book I HATED it. I've heard others loved it, but I couldn't get into it. It was the "His Dark Materials" series. I know there is no way to know if you will like ALL of a series before reading them, but I learned to just enjoy the books you have, and not worry about future volumes.

11-20-2010, 04:00 PM	#89
mrscoach Guru Posts: 767 Karma: 4837659 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Angelo Texas Device: Samsung Galaxy tab	I started Harry Potter after the fourth book came out, simply because I hadn't heard of it before. I am so glad I didn't wait for all 7, because I would have missed much enjoyment over the years by reading, rereading, and discussing plot clues with others. I am one of those who preordered and waited, in store, for the midnight releases of 5-7. I might have been very upset if something had happened to Rowling before the final book, but she had so many notes that I'm sure we would have eventually found out what happened, even if it wasn't in her writing style. Heck, they could probably just copy all her notes, bind them and release them and it would be a hit because of all the people who will read every little tidbit of background.

11-20-2010, 05:50 PM	#90
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	I tend to grab books that are interesting to me, and then be delighted (if the book was good) that it is part of a series. The problem with as-yet incomplete series is that, by the time the next book is out I've forgotten everything that happened up to that point because I've read a gazillion other books in the meantime. When I hit on a series I like, I generally read every book available, and then I'm much less interested in the next book when it finally comes out because I'm moved on.