Paperback Writer aka Lynn Viehl aka S.L. Viehl has posted a blog about ending her popular Darkyn series.
My editor has approved the revisions for Stay the Night, so Robin’s book is finished. Because I also wrapped up quite a few storylines in this one, including that of the series protagonists, Alexandra and Michael, I’m going to consider these seven books as a finished set. This is not to say I’ll never write another story about the Darkyn or the characters from these novels, as I’ve discussed future possibilities for both with my editor, but as a series, I feel this one is complete.
This along with Larissa’s guest blog about the appeal of a series has got me thinking…when is it enough?
I really admire Viehl for bringing her Darkyn series to a close on a high note. Is that to say that I want it to end? No. But I also don’t want to see it dragged into the ground after a gazillion books. Viehl has also stated her intention to end her StarDoc series. I’m not a reader of this series, but I’ve read why she’s ending it and I can’t help but respect her for deciding to end something that’s so popular w/ sci-fi readers.
As a reader, what would you think to seeing the end of your favorite series? How do you know when you’ve had enough? Is there a series that you’ve stopped reading b/c it’s not what it started out as?
When a series becomes repetitive *coughCarpathianscough* it is over for me.
When we are on the third generation in the same family *coughCynsterscough* I start feeling antsy–unless the author manages to find a way to make each story fresh and each novel capable to stand alone.
Mostly, it’s the writing. Good characterization, tight plotting, great dialogue–I’m there for as long as those are there (In Death anyone?)
I agree w/ AL about the reptitiveness, but mostly for me it’s when the author can no longer stay true to the world she created that I have to give up.
Two examples would be Ward’s BDB series and Kenyon’s DH series.
But then other series I don’t think should even end (like the In Death series).
Two series that come to mind for me are Stephanie Plum and Anita Blake.
I wish Stephanie would just decide between Morelli and Ranger already.
And Anita…well I just… yea. What do you say. It’ sad when we long for the days of a love triangle instead of a sexual…..octagon..??! Gah.
I’m stil reeling from a huge series involuntarily ended by the premature passing of the author. Robert Jordan sadly succumbed to illness before finishing the final book in the massive Wheel of Time series. I’m saddened for his family, but also, for those legions of readers like me who went along for,what was it,14?books and really, really wanted to know how all the storylines would wrap up before the apocalyptic end of the world battle. Sigh.
I have to agree about both the Carpathian series and the Anita Blake series. I’m still reading Anita Blake (I gave up on the Carpathians), but I’m not enjoying it nearly as much. I also agree about the Stephanie Plum series, although for me it’s less about picking between Morelli and Ranger and more about seeing some actual character development for Stephanie. You’d think by now she might have actually learned something about doing her job!
For now, I’m still invested in the In Death series, as well as Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark and Ward’s BDB (although I’m on the brink with that one).
Also, for m, even though Robert Jordan died, the series will be finished. He left behind a whole bunch of notes and he had told his family how he intended the series to end, so another author named Brandon Sanderson will be writing the final book.
WoW….. Hello everyone. I am usually a lurker but after I just almost choked on my pepsi after reading that Lynn Viehl is ending her Darkyn Series I am utterly depressed.
I agree with all the previous comments about long standing series that lose their mojo.I just read Wards latest installment to her BDB and passed it on to my friend, after she was done we both said at least we have the Darkyn….LoL (insert 4 letter curses)!
Here’s to hoping the next Feehan Carpathian book is back on track!
In closing, I would like to say that Lynn Viehl ending this series on a high note is extremely classy. I look forward to reading what she ventures into next.
Agree with Holly. Nothing bugs me more about a series then the author not sticking to the rules/laws of that world. Sad to say that Kenyon and Ward are both guilty of this – not that you would know from the rabid fangirl reviews. *rolls eyes* (I’m so scared for Ash’s book – I’ve waited so long for his book but Kenyon’s latest offerings don’t show much promise.) 🙁
I hate when a series is basically the same story with different characters – or when a character from one book turns into a completely different person in their own book.
You have respect authors who end on a high note, or who stick to the original number. When a series suddenly introduces new characters and plotlines in ONE book, it completely overshadows the main couple. That’s a BIG problem I had with Lover Enshrined. But apparently Ward, and her “cellies”, thinks she wrote the perfect book. *shrug*
Maered,
I refused to even pick up LEn. I just couldn’t bring myself to continue it after she made such a mockery of her original world. I’m not sorry I missed it, either.
And how right you are about the rabid fangirls. It’s sad, really. 🙁
Yes, the Carpathians are repetitive, yet I can’t bring myself to stop reading them. I’m not sure if it’s just nostalgia b/c they were the first paranormals I read or if I’m just stubborn, but I’ll read this series until the bitter, bitter end. Which is exactly what it’s going to be.
Another series I’m invested in is the Dark-Hunters. I’ve been reading it for so long that I just can’t stop. *sigh*
You can’t be a rabid fangirl if you think anything bad about the book. Isn’t that a pre-requisite?
Holly, you already know I want you to read LEn b/c no one can discuss that series quite like you. LOL
Sam, you’re right it is sad, but very classy. Sorry to make you choke, I hope it wasn’t too messy. 😉
Another show of hands here for the repetitiveness factor. Yep, both hands are raised. It gets old. Snoring old. The Carpathians are a primo example. Sincere kudos galore to Feehan for her mad skills, but enough was enough for me a long time ago.
Hands point north as well for the plain old, “It’s not what it used to be” factor. Sometimes we can hang tough no matter what happens in a series, other times it’s like replaying an ice cream brain freeze. For me, that one is the Black Dagger Boyz. I thought I’d never get tired of that series. Lover Unbound gave me a bit of an ice cream headache though and Lover Enshrined made it a full ice cream migraine. So long, and thanks for all the angst.
I love the thought that an author knows where a series is going and therefore commits to ending it at some point.
Example du jour: We know for a fact that C.L. Wilson’s Tairen Soul series will end after book four. In the meantime, we get four meaty romance books with a heck of a lot going on. It is a JOY to know that it all has a purpose and a reason for being in the dang books, that the author has a friggin’ plan.
After I finished Snyder’s Magic series, I didn’t want it to end! I wanted more Yelena, more Valek, but she set it for three books and stuck with it. After the disappointment of seeing the series end, I think she did the right thing. Too much of a good thing can sometimes be, well, too much and I’d have hated to see an installment come along that brought the others down.
No doubt, we all have personal thresholds when it comes to series books. What may have ended one for me may not end it for another series. For me, it all comes down to characters and plot. If development of both is moving along at a satisfactory enough pace for me, I will most likely still be in for the growing count.
You mean no one can snark it quite like me, Casee?
KMont,
Excellent point about Snyder’s Study series. I didn’t want it to end, either, but I think she went out on a high note. And knowing the world will continue even if it won’t be with the same characters takes some of the sting out.
Publishers must be shaking in their boots when an author decides to end their series. In wonder how they are taking Viehl’s decision.
Look at Nancy Drew, there are over 100 books written about her 😀
I’ve not read that series, but I heard good things about it.
A series I love, and never want to end is Stephanie Plum. I will be upset when Evanovich stops writing Plum books. Just thinking about an end to that series put me in a sad mood.
I also enjoy the In Death series. Thanks to Holly for being a bully and making me read it. I was VERY hesitant to start the series because I’m not a fan of Nora Robert’s romances.
I’m still very early into the series, but I’m told that all 108 (LOL) of them are as good as the first.
A series I gave up on was Anita Blake. I LOVED the earlier books, but then the whole formula changed. It sucks now. No plot-just badly written sex with no story behind it.
Much like TV series, I think book series should end on a high note before they start rolling down hill. Also, because I love asking for too much, I want the author to keep it fresh, but also stay true to her characters. Yes, people change and grow over time – but they don’t morph into pod people. That’s my main issue with a couple of mystery series I read. I feel like the authors were driving down the road with their character(s) and made a sharp left turn, ramming the car into a tree….
@ joni – thanks for sharing that soothing bit of comfort. but – yikes on the person trying to fill jordan’s shoes….
You know, I can’t think of a series that I have read to completion! Dropped Anita Blake, had to walk away from Evanovich (I’ll just re-read books 4 thru 8 for all the funny), and other than that, I’m still in the middle of some.
Suzanne Brockmann’s books – Had to take a break because I felt she changed two of my favourite characters so much by the time their story came that I was crushed.
It’s hard to walk away from a series that once made you all giddy and happy. It takes more than one book to get me to leave but after a few stinkers in a row and I can finally make a break. (Took 4 books and a few books in LKH’s Fey series to get me to stop sniffing the glue – it took 5 for Evanovich).
For me the worst part is when a favourite author (Lisa Kleypas) has a concept for a series that I have no interest in (Wallflowers – ugh). So you have to wait for them to finish the series before something different is offered.
And for me, a book needs to be somewhat self-contained – overall story arcs or waiting for a story of one character usually ends bad for me 😉
CindyS
I’ve never read the Darkyn Series but I will say this: I am a sucker that doesn’t stop reading even though a series is going downhill. It’s the same reason I kept watching that dumb soap opera Passions for howevermany years. Because you just HAVE to know how it’s going to end.
Daphne,
I loved Passions. I still watch the re runs, lol