Happy Tuesday Bookworms!
Anybody else noticed that series are ALL THE RAGE these days? It seems like nobody feels like writing a stand alone book anymore… Or something. I’m a pretty big fan of series on the whole. Sometimes though, the last book in the series is truly a make or break moment. Today, the ladies of The Broke and the Bookish have asked us to list out our favorite and not so favorite series enders. Are you ready?!
My Favorites:
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling. I don’t know if I can properly describe the level of satisfaction I felt during that epilogue. It ended beautifully, and as desperately as I want more and more and more Harry Potter, I am pleased with the way things wrapped up.
2. MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood. I loved everything about this series. I loved the weird names for gene spliced animals, the screwy scary fast food joints, the trippy cults- everything. I waited a good 4 years for the final book and I was NOT disappointed. That Atwood. She knows what she’s doing.
3. The Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins. This ending wasn’t perfect because I wasn’t crazy about some of Katniss’s decisions. However, I liked that Collins emphasized the psychological implications of the horrors the characters endured. Plus, I’m a sucker for a “happy as circumstances will allow” ending.
4. Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris. This was the final book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. The series ran out of steam and started getting pretty random somewhere around book 7, so my expectations for the series wrap up weren’t too high. However, I was quite pleased because I’d been rooting for one particular romance since book one and it totally happened. Yay for that!
Not So Favorites:
5. Son by Lois Lowry. Okay, so The Giver is one of the most amazing books since ever. It’s complete awesomeness. The rest of the series, however? It’s a little odd and a tiny bit preachy. The final installment, Son, spent an inordinate amount of time discussing climbing a cliff and a really bizarre supernatural twist. It was okay, but I think The Giver would have been better off with an epilogue than an additional 3 books.
6. The Death Cure by James Dashner. I started out loving The Maze Runner books and they progressively got less awesome. I mean, the ending was okay, but it felt like a cop out. Like Dashner couldn’t come up with a really supremely awesome ending and just sort of threw one in? Eh. Just not fantastic.
7. Reached by Ally Condie. I should start this out by saying that this book was by far my favorite in the Matched trilogy. I was actually very pleased with the direction the series went in the end, but GAH. The series as a whole was just such a disappointment for me. Love triangle. Bits and pieces of other dysopias all over the place. Just… No.
Jury is Out
(These series are not yet finished, but I’m invested, so….)
8. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. It’s highly unlikely that I WON’T love the final installment of the Outlander series, aside from the fact that I’ll be a big ridiculous crybaby because it’s over…
9. Divergent by Veronica Roth. I’m pretty stoked for the upcoming release of Allegiant. It will totally make or break the series for me. It’s due out Oct 22. Very excited!
10. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. I can’t say that I think these are the greatest books ever, but I have enjoyed the novelty of Cinder and Scarlet so far. I love fractured fairy tales- it’s okay that they’re predictable, they’re FAIRY TALES. I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes, in spite of the occasional cheesiness.
What about you, Bookworms? Got a series ender that you loved and/or hated?! Tell us about it!
Betty
Completely agree with you on Reached. I really liked Matched and was thrilled about seeing where the story was going, but it just fell flat. Book 2 was long and drawn out— hundreds of pages searching for each other. Book 3 was even worse. It was insanely boring and honestly, the 3 books could probably have been made into 1 long one.
Words for Worms
Crossed was just so so so awful. I don’t know why I kept reading it! I actually liked Reached better than Crossed or Matched even, but only because PLAGUE. I like a good plague. Still. The series as a whole kind of stunk for me.
Adam Byerly
I did, too, eventually finish the Matched trilogy. It pains me to say it was so-so, for the most part. I am generally quite generous with works of fiction and I did get into a lot things about it, but in the end, yeah, so-so is the best I can give it.
Also, I haven’t started the Divergent series yet, but it’s on my list and looking forward to it.
I have been wrapped up in the Book of Mortals trilogy by Ted Dekker and Tosca Lee. I’m about 90 pages from the end. There’s plenty I like about it, and it definitely has trumped Matched. I have one minor complaint about the series as a whole, but a.) it isn’t over yet, and 2.) they may fix it in the pages left, and d.) I’m not gonna ruin it for anyone. 🙂
Words for Worms
You’ll have to let me know if Book of Mortals is worth it, because I haven’t read it.
Adam Byerly
I did end up finishing the Book of Mortals awhile ago. I decided to sit on it for awhile before giving any advice. Overall I enjoyed the action, the setting, most of the plot. I thought there was a relatively strained metaphor the author was trying to employ that more or less has to be forgiven. I would say overall worth it. But, if you wanna give the author a chance, I’d start with the Circle Trilogy/4ogy (in order, with Green last). I thought that was a little better and the metaphor (more or less the same one) worked much better in that one.
Books, Tea & Me
Oh dear, I really cannot wait for Allegiant! Almost here!
As to Mockingjay, I ended up putting it on both my best and worst lists. A lot of the book was just go-go-go and I just felt out of place most of the time, but the last few pages were sweet and made me happy, so…
Words for Worms
LOL, yeah, I pretty much based my decision of the little epilogue.
Ashley Z
I first read Harry Potter about 3 years ago (I know! I was super late! I was dying to see the movies and wanted to read the books first) I wept and cried and blubbered Like a baby when it all ended. I felt lost! So lost that I re-read the series over as soon as I finished. Best ending ever!
I kinda hated Mockingjay. I hate to say that because the series as a whole is pretty awesome. I have mixed feelings!
Insurgent BETTER NOT disapoint!
Ashley Z
Oops I meant Allegient….
Words for Worms
I knew where you were going with it 😉
Words for Worms
Ah yes, Harry Potter bereavement is something I have suffered! I just loved everything about those books. And the Mockingjay, like I said, I based solely on the epilogue because I’m a sucker for a happy-ish ending.
Ashley Z
It was happy-ish. Just flat!
Megan M.
Of course I loved Harry Potter! I love when authors tell you the fate of each one of the characters, and Rowling is a genius so the HP epilogue was perfect and awesome. Mockingjay wasn’t really my favorite either, but I did love the HG series as a whole.
I really don’t want the Morganville Vampires series to end, EVER, but when it does I hope it will be everything that the characters deserve.
Words for Worms
Morganville Vampires? Why do I not know these? Do I need to know these, Megan? Do I?!
Megan M.
I certainly love them, I can’t promise you will since our tastes are similar but not THE SAME (*cough* Abundance of Katherines *cough*) but if you’re interested, it’s a YA series about a very intelligent girl named Claire who moves to Morganville to start college because her parents think she’s too young to go straight to MIT, and when she gets there she quickly finds out that vampires are real and they run the town. The first book is called Glass Houses by Rachel Caine. The latest book coming out next month is either the 15th or 16th, I can’t remember, but I love them because they’re pretty action-packed and I don’t usually know what will happen next (she blathered endlessly.)
Rhian
Hmm, I suspect I am in the minority when it comes to the HP epilogue. Let’s just say It’s not on my favorites list.
What is on my favorites list is The Dark Tower by Stephen King which is the end of the Dark Tower series. The series got a little self-indulgent towards the end, but the very ending? Oh my!
Another I’d add is Total Eclipse by Rachel Caine which is the last of the Weather Warden series. I didn’t see it coming but it made perfect sense.
I thought Mockingjay was a great end. I liked that it wasn’t happily ever after. I’m interested to know which of Katniss’ decisions you didn’t like. You’ll just have to fly to Australia so we can discuss it in person :-D.
Words for Worms
I’m sad you weren’t happy with HP’s ending, but it’s okay, you’re entitled :). I would LOVE to just fly to Australia. You don’t even know. Someday I’m just going to appear on your doorstep asking you ignorant questions about kangaroos.
Don Royster
Oh, my. I have to put on my Top Ten Tuesday hat. There. Feels good.
I don’t usually read series. Especially unfinished ones. Always afraid the author will pass on to the other side. This is the reason that I haven’t read Game of Thrones. But I did read the Harry Potter series. Unlike you, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was my least favorite. I thought the search middle was slow. I felt like I was slogging through. And the first of the two movies was like that as well. I was very satisfied with the ending. Also I did read Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series. Every book in that is a gem.
I tend to like series which feature the same protagonist and some of the minor characters such as James Bond, P. G. Wodehouse’s Wooster and Jeeves, and Terry Pratchett’s Disc World series.What fun reads.
But the best series I have ever dipped my eyes into and come up completely satisfied has been The Lord of the Rings. Amazing ending.
The series I really want to read but not ready to start is Marcel Proust’s Remembrance of Things Past. I figure I will do it in a couple of years when I can devote an entire year to it. Also would like to tackle Margaret Atwood’s series. I keep thinking she or Alice Munro will be the first Canadians to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Hasn’t happened yet but could. Oh, just forgot one writer who often gets left off from all the lists. Maybe it’s because he’s Canadian. That’s Robertson Davies. His Cornish Trilogy is truly genius.
Words for Worms
I just could not get into LOTR. I feel like a reading failure, but it doesn’t speak to me.
Don Royster
One thing is for sure. You are not a reading failure.
bribookishconfessions
I have not read Reached yet, but I’m hearing a lot that it wasn’t a great series ender so I keep pushing it off! I’m currently reading Divergent and loving it!
Words for Worms
Eh, if you’ve already read Matched and Crossed I’d advise you to finish it off, but if you haven’t already waded through Crossed, I’d tell you cut your losses.
bribookishconfessions
I enjoyed Crossed more than I did Matched. But, someday I will get to Reached. It’s not one of my favorite series, but it definitely is interesting. There’s a lot more series that are higher on my TBR list so I’ll end up getting to those before Reached.
Charleen
Divergent and The Lunar Chronicles are both on my TBR, once the series are actually complete. (Although, does The Lunar Chronicles even have a planned ending? I may break down for this one…)
Most series I read are ongoing, but for ones that were contained –
Deathly Hallows I enjoyed as a whole, but I thought the epilogue was overkill. It just read too much like fanfiction.
Mockingjay was actually pretty disappointing for me. Well, I liked the way the series ended (“happy as circumstances will allow” is a great way of putting it) but the book itself just felt kind of scattered, and wasn’t as strong as the others in the series.
The Last Battle (Chronicles of Narnia) was just bizarre. It’s like Lewis was SO concerned with “kidifying” the bible that he didn’t bother trying to come up with an awesome adventure.
Blackout (Newsflesh Trilogy) was good, but I can’t rave too much about it considering that the first book in the series is still my favorite.
I could go on, but I think it’s already obvious that I’m pretty hard to please…
Words for Worms
I need to read Newsflesh!!!
Charleen
Yes, you do!!!
Liesel Hill
HP and Mockingjay were, of course, awesome. I can’t wait for Allegiant either. I actually wasn’t way impressed with Divergent, but I thought Insurgent really stepped it up. I’m hoping the trend continues. 😀
My TTT
Words for Worms
Allegiant is so going to make or break this series… So excited!
Kayla Sanchez
I didn’t even know The Giver was a series! I actually kind of liked its ambiguous ending, so I think I’ll just stay with my memories of that one book.
Words for Worms
Yeah, you’re not missing anything super critical.
Ashley F
I have a love/hate relationship with series. I mean a good series you never want it to end, but more often than not, most authors just don’t know when to give it a rest.
George R R Martin’s Song of Fire and Ice Series will be epic presuming he lives long enough to write the bloody thing.
Diana Gabaldon will rip my guts out for sure. I’m planning on doing a full series re-read by the way. I realized it’s been about 10 years since I read Outlander. I am totally due for a refresh.
Words for Worms
Ugh Martin and his loooooong pauses. And his ranting about Dorne. I love to complain about it though.
The Underground Writer
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series by Alexander McCall Smith is wonderful in so very many ways. It’s not done yet – but they are all delightful. As with most series, the 1st book is the best.
Words for Worms
I’ve not read any of those, but I always hear such great things.
The Underground Writer
Definitely try and read the 1st one!
Turn the Page Reviews
Agree with you on Mockingjay, though I have seen alot of lists that have it on as the worst ending- I am glad it wasn’t all perfect at the end.
Words for Worms
I’m surprised at how many people didn’t like Mockingjay! Ah well. It’s still a winner for me :).
Monika
I keep meaning to read the Matched series… one day!
Words for Worms
Umm.. .Yeah. You can probably skip that one… It’s… Okay at best.
Elizabeth
I’m with you on Mockingjay – I think it wouldn’t have felt…real? sincere? if it had ended with a super happy ending instead of a sort of bittersweet ending. I think it was perfect!
Words for Worms
Agreed. Bittersweet. Like dark chocolate. Now I want chocolate. Dangit!
kristinshafel
I’m out on this week’s Top Ten Tuesday—I don’t read enough series to have a list of more than like, 3. But I’m working on the Atwood MaddAddam series, though! 🙂
Words for Worms
I’m super excited to hear how you like MaddAddam. Atwood is so freaking brilliant it hurts my brain.
caitlinstern
Allegiant can’t come soon enough. And I completely agree about Harry Potter. The Atwood series looks interesting, I will have to check it out.
Words for Worms
Definitely try out the Atwood. It’s amazing!
Christy
“Happy as circumstances will allow” is a great way of putting the end to Mockingjay, which is a book I remember enjoying overall. I liked the climactic face-off with the villain, and how when Katniss made the decision she made, she did it fully expecting for her life to end right then and there. I found it pretty wrenching at the time. I still remember that scene and this was years ago.
Words for Worms
Yeah, I might have cried… Okay I definitely cried.
talksupeblog
I like Sam but overall, I can’t believe those are Sookie’s final opponents! Surely she could do better than those right?
My Best & Worst
Words for Worms
I was rooting for him from the beginning. I love them together!
Sarah Says Read
Seee I skipped this week’s TTT because I couldn’t think of enough good series enders because so many haven’t ended yet, and you went and created a subcategory for just that! Smart lady.
I hope that I love the Outlander ending. I mean no matter what I’ll probably be sad that it ended, but I don’t want to hate it.
Words for Worms
Some say “smart lady” others say “cheating the system.” Tomato tomahto. Do you think Diana would let us down with an Outlander ending? I don’t think so. Diana loves us. (We’re on a first name basis now. I fully expect to receive a restraining order if she ever reads my blog…)