A little over a month ago, one of my favorite Booktubers, Merphy Napier, did a video on this topic and I started thinking of all the series I’ve started that I know I won’t continue on in. It may be because I didn’t like the first book, or that after reading a few books I got bored of the series. Either way, these are a few of the series I decided not to go on with. Also, to make this easier on myself, I’m only looking at series I’ve started in the last few years (like I’m not going back to 2007 when I first read Twilight and talking about why I’m not finishing that series).
System Divine Series

This series is a retelling of Les Mis in space, and if you are curious about my full review of the first book, feel free to read that. It will explain why I decided to not continue in this series, simply because I felt that the book would have been better if it had no association with the classic novel.
Mortal Engines Quartet

I wrote an extremely positive review for the first book of this series, Mortal Engines. But after being so disappointed with Predator’s Gold, I’ve decided not to continue on in the series. I just feel as if Philip Reeve didn’t have an over-arching plan for where he wanted to take the series after the first book, so the second one just feels meandering and petty. The first book is still great, in my opinion, but I do not feel compelled to continue on.
Winternight Trilogy

I really didn’t enjoy the first book of the series, and thus I’ve decided not to continue on. The mythology part of this book is the only part I actually enjoyed, but I feel as if this book is more of a love letter to Russian folklore and less of a cohesive, moving story. Nothing really happens until the ending, and even the characters feel a bit boring. Since there are so many other retellings out there, I don’t care to try this one again.
Sebastian St. Cyr

This is a historical murder mystery, and one of many I’ve read. However, I didn’t really like the characters, especially the protagonist, and the mystery wasn’t great. There are so many other great mysteries to read, and I really don’t want to waste my time on a series I don’t enjoy as much as others.
Crazy Rich Asians

I was just amazed to learn there are three books in this series. I did a full review on the first book, which you are welcome to read, but honestly my main problem with it was nothing really happens. There is a little conflict, a lot of characters, and nothing to really care about. I was bored out of my mind reading this book, and, since I don’t want to turn my brain to mush, I’ll just skip the other two.
Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes Series

Unlike many on this list, this one I stuck with for years. I loved the first few books, but since then the series has gone so low it feels like the author doesn’t even care anymore. After reading this book, which is the fifteenth book (I also did a review for it), I’ve decided I’m done with this series. Saying that, I will probably be rereading the earlier one because I still like them.
The Custard Protocol

I really enjoyed the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger, so I assumed I would like this one too. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stand it. The characters were so annoying, the plot was rather pointless, and it felt like Carriger was banging us over the head with her shallow themes. So, yes, I’m definitely not continuing on in this series.
The Folk In The Air Series

If you’ve followed my blog for a couple years, you may remember I did a detailed rant review for this book. I was so glad to find people telling me they also didn’t like it, because most of the reviews I see online are all positive. It’s such a huge series, and yet I really didn’t enjoy it. I see everyone talking about the second book now, but I will not be checking it out, or any of its sequels.
Counterfeit Lady Series

I am a massive fan of Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight Series (it remains in my top five cozy historical mystery series), so I was thrilled that she was coming out with a new series. But after reading this first book, I was so disappointed. The plot was annoyingly slow and I didn’t like the characters. As much as I hate to say this because I love Thompson’s writing, I will not be reaching for the sequels any time soon.
I did not put on this list any of the series I’m still debating continuing to read (like Artemis Fowl and The Maze Runner), and I only went about two years back so you wouldn’t get too long of list.
What are some series you decided not to continue on in? Is there any series on my list that you absolutely recommend I give another try? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments, follow my blog for more musings and, as always,
Best wishes in your life full of adventure,
Madame Writer
I loved The bear and the Nightingale, but somehow I don’t feel like reading the second book. Also how can you not like Cruel Prince?! That was one good YA fantasy that I read after a long time.
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Sorry…I really disliked the Cruel Prince. I did a long review detailing why. But every reader is different, and I know so many people love that book.
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Love the cover of City of Lies. Sucks that it didn’t work out though.
I think I’ll give up on the Winternight books too.
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That cover of City of Lies is beautiful, I agree! I like all of Victorian Thompson’s covers. But yes, I gave up Winternight books pretty quickly. They might be someone’s tastes, just not mine.
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I felt the same way about The Bear and the Nightingale – and was EXTRA mad because I didn’t know it was the start of a series when I picked it up. So it ended, and I was like, “Uh…. what? Where’s the resolution?”
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I didn’t know it was the start of a series either! After all that work, the story didn’t even end at the end of the book.
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Exactly! So frustrating!
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You are honest 🙂 unfortunately I still struggle through mediocre books when I shouldn’t.
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I am honest, which is sometimes good and sometimes bad. I used to struggle through mediocre books too. If I started a series, I wanted to finish it. But I found it just wasn’t worth the work when I could be reading a much better series or book.
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This post is so relatable, I’ve begun a lot of series I won’t finish, like Stalking Jack the Ripper or Shadowhunters.
I ‘m really interested in City of lies and What angels fear. I will try them, but maybe I will lower my expectations.
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Shadowhunters is another series I won’t finish! But you may like City of Lies and What Angels Fear more than me. Just because they weren’t my tastes doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy them.
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While I also didn’t enjoy the Custard Protocol as much as the Parasol Protectorate, I did think the series was pretty fun, for the most part. Might be worth a second look 🙂
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I don’t know…I gave the first book one star, and I’m not sure I’m willing to take the chance to continue on in the series. I’ll keep it in mind, though.
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I’d say maybe try to continue The Maze Runner trilogy (one of my favourites) and forget about the rest! You seem to have good reasoning for abandoning them 😊
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I keep telling myself to finish The Maze Runner, but I found out how the movie plots went and, if the movies follow the plots of the books, I know I won’t enjoy it.
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It’s been such a while since I read the books and even since I saw the last movie – but I think the last movie is relatively close to the final book. So maybe stay away from them after all. 😊
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