Over the past few years, it feels like the only books I've read have been sequels. Trilogies seem to be the standard format for storytelling now, and for the most part, it works! Occasionally though I'll finish a series and wonder why it was a three part series when 2 books could have told the story so much better.
My understanding of trilogies is this:
My understanding of trilogies is this:
- Book 1: Beginning
- Book 2: Middle
- Book 3: End
For the most part, they stick to this format. But as I mentioned earlier, there are some series that really don't work as a trilogy. Matched for example, could have easily been told in 2 slightly longer books. Unfortunately, though, trilogies are more common now because they make more money! Which is why I think that sometimes quantity is chosen over quality.
Don't get me wrong, I love trilogies. Some of my favourite books are from trilogies (The Hunger Games, The Selection, etc)! I love longer series (ex. TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow - seriously if you haven't read the TimeRiders series, GO READ THEM NOW! Those books are awesome fun!), standalone books, and I also love duologies.
I've always found duologies to be the rarer breed of books. When I was planning this post (yes, I do plan these posts, would you believe it lol!) I desperately tried to remember all of the duologies I've read, and I could honestly only think of a couple: The Inside Series by Maria V. Snyder and The Don Tillman Series by Graeme Simsion. I have started a couple of new series recently which are part of duologies - Me Before You by JoJo Moyes and Passenger by Alexandra Bracken.
With the exception of the second Rosie Project book (The Rosie Effect), I absolutely loved those duologies! It was so refreshing to read a series that didn't feel watered down or over-dramatised. There were no filler scenes, everything in those books helped the story in some way. I just really, really loved it!
Now, obviously I am not saying that every trilogy is full of filler scenes and dragged out moments, but recently I've been finding that happening more and more. I thought the Matched series by Ally Condie, the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver and The Declaration series by Gemma Malley were good, but I feel like if they had been slightly compressed into two longer books, they would have been far more enjoyable! There are also some duologies that should have been left as stand alone books. But, on the whole, my experience with duologies has been a positive one!
So, what do you think? Why do you think duologies are so rare? And do you prefer them over trilogies or standalone books? Please, let me know in the comments below! If like me you'd like to check out a few more duologies, I found this amazing list on Goodreads that lists pretty much every popular duology out there!
Don't get me wrong, I love trilogies. Some of my favourite books are from trilogies (The Hunger Games, The Selection, etc)! I love longer series (ex. TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow - seriously if you haven't read the TimeRiders series, GO READ THEM NOW! Those books are awesome fun!), standalone books, and I also love duologies.
I've always found duologies to be the rarer breed of books. When I was planning this post (yes, I do plan these posts, would you believe it lol!) I desperately tried to remember all of the duologies I've read, and I could honestly only think of a couple: The Inside Series by Maria V. Snyder and The Don Tillman Series by Graeme Simsion. I have started a couple of new series recently which are part of duologies - Me Before You by JoJo Moyes and Passenger by Alexandra Bracken.
With the exception of the second Rosie Project book (The Rosie Effect), I absolutely loved those duologies! It was so refreshing to read a series that didn't feel watered down or over-dramatised. There were no filler scenes, everything in those books helped the story in some way. I just really, really loved it!
Now, obviously I am not saying that every trilogy is full of filler scenes and dragged out moments, but recently I've been finding that happening more and more. I thought the Matched series by Ally Condie, the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver and The Declaration series by Gemma Malley were good, but I feel like if they had been slightly compressed into two longer books, they would have been far more enjoyable! There are also some duologies that should have been left as stand alone books. But, on the whole, my experience with duologies has been a positive one!
So, what do you think? Why do you think duologies are so rare? And do you prefer them over trilogies or standalone books? Please, let me know in the comments below! If like me you'd like to check out a few more duologies, I found this amazing list on Goodreads that lists pretty much every popular duology out there!
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