Friday, October 03, 2008

The End of a Saga

At long last (or so it seems), I finished Breaking Dawn and thus Stephenie Meyer's stunning Twilight saga. While I thoroughly enjoyed each of the books and read them ravenously, I can't say that I'm now feeling even the slightest bit bereft. I'm satisfied and not regretful that there won't be another book. Even though it's possible that one day there will be...

Anyway, the point of this post is that, much like the Harry Potter series, I couldn't help but be impressed--stunned really--over how cohesive and well-thought out the whole series was. I couldn't help but wonder how many elements that seemed to fall perfectly into place were pre-planned and how many were just happy coincidences. It struck me that I'd love to see a book (or hear a talk) from one of these authors discussing their process of researching, brainstorming, planning, and writing an amazingly cohesive series. Both series are even more astounding being as they're written by first time authors.

I don't currently have an inclination to do a series or trilogy, but that said, I love reading them, and I do think it might be sort of fun. Anyone have another favorite series? Or is anyone working on a series of their own???

7 comments:

mslizalou said...

I love both the Twilight and Harry Potter series. I read lots of series, because I love to see and learn more about the characters. Here are some of my favorites:

Black Daggar Brotherhood JR Ward
In Death JD Robb
House of Night PC Cast & Kristen Cast
Gallagher Girls Ally Carter
Darkyn Lynn Viehl
Dark Hunters Sherrilyn Kenyon

I know I have more, but those are the ones that popped into my head.

Angie Ledbetter said...

I'm leery of reading them, afraid the second and third would disappoint. But I may someday write a follow up novel to my first. ;)

Kate Diamond said...

Twilight was actually my favorite book in the whole series.

I also enjoyed the "Big Reveal" about the imprinting though. You know the one I'm talking about. I predicted it as soon as certain conditions became apparent. It then became a litmus test with my students... who has good inference skills and saw that coming?

Who was totally bowled over by Jacob Black's news?

On a total side note, I just tagged you for a book meme. See my site for details!

Melissa Blue said...

I love the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. I also fall into the Nora Roberts trilogies.

But I watch a documentary on J.K. Rowling before the 7th year hit the stores. She pretty much had all the books plotted out from book one. She lived and breathed Hogwarts. I'm very impressed with J.K. Rowling. So, if I ever meet her I'd want her to rub my keyboard.

Lucy said...

I love the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.

Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic series has been a lot of fun (save the one with the sister but that's just my opinion).

I also loved Linda Barrett's Pilgrim Cove's series enough that I now buy everything she puts out.

Cheryl Bolen has a Brides of Bath series that I really enjoyed.

What I don't like in a series though, is when you have to read them in order - that if you read them out of order, you're lost. Cannot stand that!

Tina-Sue said...

One of my favourite series would have to be Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel books.
They are intelligent, captivating and so enjoyable.

Alyssa Goodnight said...

Wow! So many series I've never even heard of--thanks for the recommendations!

Kate, I think I did pretty well (for me at least) in knowing what was coming with the imprinting--wow! That's what I'm talking about though--did she plan that from the very beginning or was it just a whopping good idea that came to her while writing the last book?

Melissa, a keyboard rub notwithstanding, I think I'd rather just pick her brain. ;)