The Problem With Series
Series. Some people love them, some people hate them. Personally, I like them. A lot. Normally. There are some books that I just don't want to end, and a series is a great way to learn more about your favorite characters, and live in the world for just a little longer. But there are also some things that I really, really hate about series as well.
The Memory Issue
Each new book in a series generally build on the book before (you know, because it's a...series), which requires you to remember the characters and plot of the book before that. I have the memory of a toothpick. I don't remember the names of any characters! I can't even remember my own passwords or age. I don't know what has happened! Sometimes I use this website to help jog my memory, but if the series I'm reading isn't on there, then... I have to reread the entire series.
The Extension Issue
With a lot of new series that I've been reading recently, they generally start out as trilogies. Then the first book becomes extremely popular, and pretty soon everybody is reading it. So what happens then? The series becomes 4 books, then 5, and then just goes on and on forever. It never ends. And eventually I get bored and stop reading, and I hate leaving a series unfinished. This ruins a perfectly good series, and makes me not want to read other things by the author.
The Unfinished Series
I like things to be tidy and clean when they end. If a series is supposed to be a trilogy, I would like the author to write all 3 books before they decide to end the series. I don't want to be left with unresolved plot holes, or unfinished character development, especially if I love the series. But in quite a few cases authors have left me hanging when it comes to the final book or two (George R.R. Martin and Patrick Rothfuss, I'm looking at you), which frustrates me so much. I want to know what happened! Tell me!
The Missing First Book
When borrowing books from the library, I'll often find books on the shelves that catch my eye at random. I'll pick it up, become interested, and then realize that it's book 2 or 3. So I go to find the first book and... the library doesn't have it. Now I have to request the book, wait for it to come in, and then find the rest of the series. Why is it always the first book that is missing? I don't understand.
The Disappointing Finish
I think it can be generally agreed upon that the first books of series are generally the best. Sometimes the series improves as it goes on, sometimes the series remains the same, and sometimes... it just all goes downhill. The main character suddenly gets an attitude makeover that doesn't fit with the story, the plot becomes full of holes, or the random info dumps begin. This destroys my opinion of the first book, makes me not want to finish the series, and makes me not want to read anything else by the author. It makes me really sad, especially if I loved the first book!
What are some other problems with series? Let me know if I missed anything!