Do you think a series can ever be too long?

[AmandaK+]

I love to read series!! But, sadly, sometimes the author tries to get too much from a successful series and lets it go wayyyyyyy too long! If I was held to picking a number of books to complete a series I would say 8. Also, authors, PLEASE number your series from the start and make sure it is easy for the reader to know it is part of a series. I'm a huge nerd and series books absolutely, positively must be read in order - start to finish. It messes with my world when I read a book and discover, to my horror, that it is #3 in a series of 7. Oh no, what do I do? Go back and start with #1? Continue on as if I have no idea of books #1 & #2? Read 2, then 1, then 4 - 7? Too much stress.

[alliecat334]

Good Afternoon AmandaK,
I agree with you that a book series can be too long. Sometimes a series needs to end after 3-4 books, not go to 11 or more. Every book in the series starts to blend in and the plots tend to be all the same. There are many romance series that follow this pattern with their books. Authors after establishing a few profitable books that are largely liked with readers will continue writing what they know will sell. I believe every writer starts writing because they love to write and have a story they wish to tell; they are not writing for a profit in the beginning. Eventually writing becomes a job and profits can alter author's opinion in regards to their writing.
I feel a perfect example of this type of series that has gone on too long is The Carpathian Novels by Christine Feehan. She is a phenomenal writer who had an amazing and original idea. Feehan become popular amongst the romance reader population and therefore the series has gone on well beyond 20 books. I loved the 1st 12 books out of her series each featuring a new Carpathian male and their story. After those 12 books, each book felt like I was reading the same book over and over again.
I am sure there are many others who feel that there are some books series that just go on too long. Don't get me wrong, I still feel Christine Feehan is a great writer; i just won't read anymore of the Carpathian novels.

[lmoses]

As much as I enjoy being part of different worlds and adventure by reading, I do think there is such a thing as being too long. When the plot becomes redundant or there is no longer growth for characters, it is time to stop writing about them. I understand wanting to stay with favorite characters, but sometimes authors keep the books going too long and the magic is lost.

[kitsune1997]

Certainly, when there isnt any character development, it has become too long, but this isnt true for every book.

[Chabou87]

I love to read series when they are DONE because I really can't stand the wait. I remember reading the Bobby Pendragon series when I was younger. The books are quite big and they are I think 10 books plus spin-off. At then end I was lost between the different worlds and characters because of the wait between the books publishing.
I think that 3 to 6 is the best number for a serie.

[Petra Antwick]

Hi responsive readers,
The only way that a series can be too long is if it keeps repeating the same themes over and over again without adding a new significant message. Sending a message is the purpose of writing, and once a message is conveyed to the reader, either a new message needs to be conveyed or the series needs to end. One exception to this book may be a series that is more plot and action based than life messages based, like Stars Wars for instance. To be honest, I've never read the Stars Wars books but I have seen the movies, and I was interested in spite of the fact that I didn't see a variety of life messages.
-Petra Antwick

[Rhoe_Marrow]

Yes, there is only so far some stories are willing to go. also, it could be a hint of an author unwilling to part with a certain story or character, or maybe they just don't want to part with their "Golden goose". That could stunt their creative growth as an author.
I mean if Castle had not killed Derrick Storm, he never would have found his Nicki Heat

[Paliden]

Yes! I have read several series where the story just seems to drag on and on!

[arielile]

If the characters and story line are well written I don't think it can be too long. I enjoy a long series and am a huge fan of the In Death series by JD Robb and the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich both which have over 20 books in them and are still going. You are really connecting with these particular characters as if they actually exist in your world.

[Vermont Reviews]

If you love the stories the series is never too long.

[Royalbooklover]

Yes I do. At some point the development of characters can start to lag or the author may feel the need to get a bit to crazy to keep interest.

[ChanitaD81]

That's a really good question. When the series is really good, you always want more. We get wrapped up in the characters lives, and just have to know every little thing. The only down side is, sometimes the authors start running out of good material. The series become mediocre and just feels like the author is stretching. When the quality of the series is starting to gradually degrade, then I believe it has gone on too long. We never want to see the end of a good series, but sometimes it's best to end it rather than jeopardize the quality of the entire series.

[Annelore Trujillo]

Sometime, yes. Series of unfortunate events is way to long for its style of writing. However, Nancy Drew has over 20 books and I don't think it is too long. But the books don't actually have to be read in order, so that makes a difference.

[missyjo2015]

I feel that a series can continue for many books as long as the characters progress. For instance, picture a TV show. If the characters never age and the circumstances in their personal lives never progressed, would you continue to watch the show? On a funny note with it, imagine watching the same TV show for 14 years while the producers and writers tried not to age any of the characters or change their personal circumstances and yet as those years go by those characters will naturally age! Imagine the little one-year-old being replaced time and time again because he/she never goes past the age of one!

To me, books should be the same. If they aren't, I won't keep reading! I will naturally get bored and find a different book or series to read!

[jlaltemo520]

I'm currently reading a series that I think has gone on to long. It a vampire series called "A Shade of Vampire" but I can't just quit reading. I find that I'm very disciplined when it comes to reading, once I start I have to push through it.