Sustaining afantasyseries is one of the most difficult tasks every genre writer faces. Whilesome authors begin writing their series with a clear idea of where the story and character arcs are going,this isn’t always the case. Though this doesn’t necessarily mean that the following installments will be weaker than book one, it can cause some issues in the overall cohesion of the work. The sequels in this fantasy series aren’t bad or low quality, but the first novel starts on such a high note that the rest of the installments end up being a little disappointing.
Like thefantasy TV shows that fell off after season 1, these book series fall victim to classic pitfalls within the fantasy genre. Whether this means the character development stalls out, the themes become repetitive, or the tone takes a sharp turn that leaves the audience confused, there are many ways for fantasy novels to veer off course. Additionally, since the strong first installment has so many great moments and compelling story beats, it sets a high bar that the author can’t live up to with every new iteration of the series.
5Gentleman Bastard Sequence (2006–Present)
Written by Scott Lynch
The Lies of Locke Lamora, the first book in theGentleman Bastard Sequence, is arecent fantasy book that will be a classic one day. However, after Scott Lynch penned the first installment of the series, Locke’s adventures began to lose their edge. Getting to know Locke, the protagonist, and entering his world of thievery and deceit was one of the best parts ofThe Lies of Locke Lamora. Whilehe’s a strong enough character that readers would follow him anywhere,the other books don’t use him as effectively.
If You’re Just Getting Into Fantasy Books, Please Avoid These 10 Series
The fantasy genre includes plenty of great works for first-time readers, but these dense series might be daunting for new fantasy audiences.
Lynch is still in the process of completing the fourth book in the series,The Thorn of Emberlain, and has released a few novellas and stories to keep readers happy in the meantime. However, even though many of us will continue reading Lynch’s next installment and keep up with Locke’s misadventures, Lynch should return to the elements that made the first book so strong. Using urban fantasy themes and introducing some new tricks we haven’t seen Locke pull will help put theGentleman Bastards Sequenceback on the right course.
2006
2007
2013
4Lightbringer (2010–2019)
Written by Brent Weeks
The magic system in Brent Weeks’Lightbringerseries immediately grabs the audience’s attention. Using scientific principles of light and color and infusing them with otherworldly magic is a unique way to craft a fantastical world. Additionally,The Black Prism,book one of the series, includes a plot twist that will knock the reader’s socks off.Not only is it shocking, but it changes the way the novel is read, making you want to go back and reread from the beginning.
Unfortunately, when there’s a twist this good in the first book of a series, this makes it difficult to top the audience’s surprise and delight in the remaining installments. Though it’s still exciting to follow the characters on their journeys, and there are many secrets that must come to light,it’s hard not to feel somewhat disappointed when the other books don’t live up toThe Black Prism.To compensate, Weeks adds new rivals and antagonists, but none are as strong as inThe Black Prism.
2010
2012
2014
2015
2019
3The Demon Cycle
Written by Peter V. Brett
Though Peter V. Brett’sThe Demon Cycleincludes five primary works and several one-off novellas,The Painted Man, also known asThe Warded Man, is the installment that will captivate readers. There are still some deeply questionable themes and messages inThe Painted Manthat Brett doesn’t address,but the world-building and story are at their best in book one. However, the elements that could’ve propelled the narrative forward into the following novels start to fade, and the characters become more like archetypes instead of fully fleshed-out individuals.
Unfortunately, the issues inThe Demon Cyclethat could’ve been solved with the following books only got worse as the series progressed.
Unfortunately, the issues inThe Demon Cyclethat could’ve been solved with the following books only got worse as the series progressed. The treatment of female characters is a huge problem in all the works, and Brett didn’t improve upon this in the later works. In some ways, the real point of contention of the remaining books inThe Demon Cycleis that the secondary characters and larger world all fall flat when compared to the antagonist and protagonist, who take up most of the pages, making the world as a whole less compelling.
2008
2017
2Winterlands (1985–2002)
Written by Barbara Hambly
Barbara Hambly’sWinterlandsseries joins the ranks of some of the best books about dragons, andDragonsbaneis easily the best work in Hambly’s fantasy universe.InDragonsbane, Gareth, John Aversin, and Jenny Waynest make a formidable trio,even in the face of the world’s most powerful dragons. However, their character development and dynamics are at their best in the first book. AfterDragonsbane, Aversin and Waynest’s journeys become repetitive, and it’s clear that Hambly’s vision for the series was beginning to fade after book one.
There are manybooks likeOnyx Stormto read while waiting for the nextEmpyreansequel, but theWinterlandsseries is a standout. ThoughDragonsbaneis the most enticing of the series, and the books don’t have quite as much romance as theEmpyrean Series, they share a love for dragons and an interest in this facet of fantasy. It isn’t difficult to find fictional worlds that use dragons as terrifying beasts that must be defeated, butDragonsbaneset itself apart.Diving into the first book is definitely worth it,even if the sequels aren’t as attention-grabbing.
1985
1999
2000
2002
1The Founders Trilogy (2018–2022)
Written by Robert Jackson Bennett
Diving headfirst in Robert Jackson Bennett’sThe Founders Trilogyis easy inFoundryside, the first book in the series. Sancia Grado makes a sharp and compelling protagonist, and Bennett sets the bar for himself very high with the crafty heist and subtle romance at the heart ofFoundryside.What makesFoundrysidecompulsively readable is the way Bennett sets it apart from typical genre conventions,using the tropes of the heist and the dangerous fantasy world as the beginning of his overarching themes and character development.
Though Bennett’s writing is no less well-crafted, the way the stakes are raised in each book results in intense changes in the style and tone of the work.
ShorefallandLocklands, Benett’s follow-ups to the spellbindingFoundryside, are still strongfantasybooks and enjoyable reads. However,Foundrysidetold a tight, complete story that didn’t really require sequels. Bennett didn’t leave enough up in the air, typing up so many of his loose ends that the next two installments felt like Bennett was dragging out a narrative that had already been told. Though Bennett’s writing is no less well-crafted, the way the stakes are raised in each book results in intense changes in the style and tone of the work.
2018
2020
2022
