Top Ten Tuesday #10

 

      

      Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by The Broke and The Bookish, which allows bloggers to share lists of some of our favorite (and not-so favorite) things.  This week we’ll be highlighting the top ten best sequels ever!  We all know that series easily can start out as some of the best things we've ever read and devolve into pure and utter, unreadable junk.  It hurts my heart when that happens, so the BEST EVER sequels are a wonderful thing in the life of a reader!  I can't wait to see your lists and see what books we have in common (or not).  Happy Tuesday and have fun everyone! :)

 

Top Ten Best Sequels Ever (No Specific Order)

 

 

So yeah, I'm unsure how many people are actually as into this series as me.

I'm a pretty big fan, but while I like the first book, it's the sequel/companion novel that makes it for me as a reader.  I honestly feel like Cypess gets into her groove and it's even better than the first!

 

 

Once again, this is a sequel that to me is even better than the first book.  I almost didn't read Hunger Games, because of the stark style of the first book.  But once I got to the second one, the deeper characterization and fiercer action/plot was impressive and appreciated.  Can't say the same for Mockingjay really, but this one surpasses the first book in my opinion.

 





 

So, I went into this series warily to begin with and burned by all the vampire obsession in popular culture at the time I read it.  The first was promising and full of world-building and series foundation.  I liked the characters.  The second one completely sucked me into the world of Claire, Shane, Eve, Michael and the rest of crazy Morganville!

 

 

All I need to say is that this book almost single-handedly renewed my faith in YA series, versus just stand-alone novels.  It completely avoided the sophomore slump, which is damn near impossible (or at least you'd think it is from all the mediocre books I've read).

 

 

With the first book being like a 40s/50s noir novel (only for young adults) and with very little character growth on the part of Iris, the main character.  Book two raised the stakes in quality, plot and deeper characters.  Plus, I didn't feel cheated by the ending of the mystery.  Much improved on the first one, surprisingly enough.

 

 

Whereas the first book gave me feelings, this book SMASHES MY HEART!  The writing is gorgeous, the teenagers are real and the plots are well developed.  And it's a contemporary European setting with slang, etc. I can actually understand.  *Hallelujah Chorus Sings*

 

 

Every one of these books is just as good as the others.  But then again, maybe I'm just extra partial to the epistolary form in novels! :)  I do think that each book has something important and beautiful to say about love, friendship and growing up.  And as someone whose parent has depression (and who struggles with it themselves) seeing Bee struggle with it in #2 added serious depth to the book.

 

 

Honestly, as if I could have a list without HP being on it!  Really this represents all of them (including OoTP) except Deathly Hallows, of which I'm not really a major fan.  But Azkaban is definitely the prime example of what a sequel should be and it's a great exercise in balance of all the different writing elements - plus it's just kick-ass!

 

 

Probably one of the creepiest series I've EVER read in my life!  The second book in the trilogy is no exception to this opinion.  If anything the action is more terrifying and the main characters have ever more problems to overcome.  This series keeps me on the edge of my seat.

 

 

This book is #4 in a series that can technically be read as stand-alone novels.  But as the fourth book in the series, this one is actually my favorite (tied with Book One).  As someone who loves character building and focus above all else, this one has it in droves.  Also the sense of humor is awesome and the battle between the characters and the driving force called "The Tradition" keeps the plot truly interesting.  Highly recommend it!