Read Those Series Challenge

This is the page where I list my series in progress and my completed series with a brief opinion/conclusion.

SERIES IN PROGRESS:

These are the series that I fully intend on continuing:

Horwood, William – Hyddenworld
1. Spring – read: Apr 22 ★★★★☆☆☆
2. Awakening – read: Sep 22 ★★★★☆☆☆
3. Harvest 
4. Winter

Kotar, Nicholas – Raven Son
1. The Song of the Sirin – read: Mar 20 ★★★★☆☆☆
2. The Curse of the Raven – read: Dec 22 ★★★★★★☆
3. The Heart of the World
4. The Forge of the Covenant
5. TBC

Sanderson, Brandon – Skyward
1. Skyward – read: March 23 (9.14)
2. Starsight 
3. Cytonic
4. Defiant

***

FINISHED SERIES: 

Arden, Katherine – Winternight Trilogy
1. The Bear and the Nightingale – read: Sep 17 ★★★★★★☆
2. The Girl in the Tower – read: Sep 17★★★★★★☆
3. The Winter of the Witchread: Jan 19 ★★★★★★☆

This series is just magical. I love the setting, the atmosphere, the characters. I loved all three of the books, but I feel the writing improved as the series went on. Definitely a series I will re-read in the future.
Overall rating: ★★★★★★☆

Bardugo, Leigh – The Grisha Trilogy
1. Shadow and Bone – read: Sep 18 ★★★★★☆☆
2. Siege and Stormread: Feb 19 ★★★★★☆☆
3. Ruin and Risingread: May 19 ★★★★★★☆

This is a pretty good series. The main problem I had was connecting to the main character Alina for the first couple of books. She just seemed a little bland. I felt the writing was a lot stronger in the final book. I did enjoy it quite a bit overall.
Overall rating: ★★★★★☆☆

Brooks, Terry – Genesis of Shannara 
1. Armageddon’s Children – read: Jan 23 (8.79)
2. The Elves of Cintra – read: Mar 23 (7.71)
3. The Gypsy Morph – read: Mar 23 (8.43)

The first series chronologically in the Shannara universe. I enjoyed this one quite a bit on re-read. Terry Brooks’ uncomplicated writing is always a nice place to return to. 8.31

Brooks, Terry – The Dark Legacy of Shannara trilogy
1. Wards of Faerie – read: May 18 ★★★★★☆☆
2. Bloodfire Quest – read: Jul 18 ★★★★★☆☆
3. Witch Wraith – read: Sep 18 ★★★★☆☆☆

Terry Brooks has always been comfort reading for me. His books/series follow a familiar rhythm that I enjoy. I enjoyed this series, but wish the final book was a bit stronger.
Overall rating: ★★★★★☆☆

Chakraborty, S A – The Daevabad Trilogy
1. The City of Brass – read: Feb 21 ★★★★★★☆
2. The Kingdom of Copper – read: Sept 21 ★★★★★★☆
3. The Empire of Gold – read: Oct 21 ★★★★★★☆

This series felt so unique. I enjoyed the world and the magic. The writing was so consistent. A joy to read for sure!
Overall rating: ★★★★★★☆

Hobb, Robin – The Farseer Trilogy
1. Assassin’s Apprentice – read: Jan 18 ★★★★★★☆
2. Royal Assassin – read: Jun 18 ★★★★★☆☆
3. Assassin’s Quest – read: Aug 18 ★★★★★☆☆

I really enjoyed this series. I love Hobb’s characters. The main niggle I had with it that it was much longer than it needed to be, especially the final book. However,  I definitely want to read more Hobb in the future.
Overall rating: ★★★★★☆☆

Hobb, Robin – The Liveship Traders
1. Ship of Magic – read: Oct 22 (9.20)
2. The Mad Ship – read: Feb 23 (9.36)
3. Ship of Destiny – read: May 23 (8.86)

This series was fantastic. One of my favourite series I have read. The setting, the characters, the fantasy elements – just incredible!
Overall rating: 9.14

Jaster, Natalia – Foolish Kingdoms
1. Trick – read: April 19 ★★★★★★☆
2. Dare – read: May 19 ★★★☆☆☆☆
3. Lie – read: Aug 19 ★★★★☆☆☆
4. Dreamread: Dec 19 ★★★★☆☆☆

This series started off so well, but the books that followed never lived up to the first. I am disappointed.
Overall rating: ★★★★☆☆☆

Jordan, Robert – The Wheel of Time (re-read)
1. The Eye of the World – read: Aug 17 ★★★★★☆☆
2. The Great Hunt – read: Oct 17 ★★★★★★☆
3. The Dragon Reborn – read: Nov 17 ★★★★★☆☆
4. The Shadow Rising – read: Jan 18 ★★★★★☆☆
5. The Fires of Heaven – read: Apr 18 ★★★★☆☆☆
6. Lord of Chaos – read: Jul 18 ★★★★★☆☆
7. A Crown of Swords – read: Sep 18 ★★★★☆☆☆
8. The Path of Daggers – read: Nov 18 ★★★★☆☆☆
9. Winter’s Heart – read: Jan 19 ★★★★★☆☆
10. Crossroads of Twilightread: Apr 19 ★★★★☆☆☆
11. Knife of Dreams – read: Sep 19 ★★★★★☆☆
12. The Gathering Stormread: Jan 20  ★★★★★★☆
13. Towers of Midnightread: Feb 20 ★★★★★★☆
14. Memory of Lightread: Apr 20 ★★★★★★☆

This is by far the most epic fantasy series I have read (and re-read). Yes, it drags in places and sometimes gets bogged down in detail, especially in the middle books, but the scope of it is something else. It will always be one of my all-time favourite series.
Overall rating: ★★★★★★☆

Kristoff, Jay – The Nevernight Chronicle
1. Nevernight – read: Feb 18 ★★★★★★☆
2. Godsgraveread: Aug 19 ★★★★☆☆☆
3. Darkdawnread: Dec 20 ★★★★★☆☆

I really enjoyed the first book, but the second book was a proper letdown for me. The plot was fine, but it missed too much of the sarcastic sass that I had enjoyed about the first book. I liked the last book better, but found it predictable. 
Overall rating: ★★★★★☆☆

Littlemore, Clare – Flow series
1. Flowread: Feb 18 ★★★★★★☆
2. Break – read: May 18 ★★★★★☆☆
3. Drift – read: June 20 ★★★★★☆☆
4. Quellread: Aug 21 ★★★★★☆☆

This was a a strong dystopian series that I think is worth reading. I did not quite get what I wanted from it, but I think that is more on me than the author. I liked the writing style, but something was missing for me. I find it hard to put my finger on exactly what that is. I would still definitely recommend this series though!
Overall rating: ★★★★★☆☆

Mahfouz, Naguib – Cairo Trilogy
1. Palace Walk – read: Jan 21 ★★★★★★☆
2. Palace of Desire – read: April 21 ★★★★★★☆
3. Sugar Street – read: July 21 ★★★★★★☆

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction series that centres around a single family in Cairo, spanning thirty years or so. It shows a completely different world, both culturally and simply because of the time in which it is set. The series itself was written in the 1950s. This was recommended to me by a friend and I am so glad I picked this up. Highly recommended!
Overall rating: ★★★★★★☆

Marillier, Juliet – Blackthorn & Grim
1. Dreamer’s Poolread: Feb 18 ★★★★★☆☆
2. Tower of Thornsread: Aug 20 ★★★★★★☆
3. Den of Wolvesread: Aug 20 ★★★★★☆☆

I enjoyed this series. It is not a type of fantasy that I have read a lot of and it did make me keen to try more. It did not always engage me quite in the way I wanted it to, but overall it was an interesting ride and the slowburn relationship in these books is very well done.
Overall rating: ★★★★★☆☆

Rossi, Veronica – Riders
1. Ridersread: Aug 19 ★★★☆☆☆☆
2. Seeker – read: Mar 20 ★★★☆☆☆☆

The plot of this duology was ok, but the writing really ruined it for me.
Overall rating: ★★★☆☆☆☆

Rowling, J K – Harry Potter series 
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’ Stoneread: Jul 18 ★★★★★☆☆
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secretsread: Aug 18 ★★★★☆☆☆
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabanread: Oct 18 ★★★★★★☆
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fireread: Jan 19 ★★★★★★☆
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – read: Feb 20 ★★★★★★☆
6. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince – read: Jan 22 ★★★★★☆☆
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallowsread: Feb 22 ★★★★★★☆

It took me a long time to finally read all of this most famous of series, but overall it was a really good experience. If I think too much about some of the plot points they don’t make much sense, but to be honest I don’t care. This series is just a good read! Overall rating: ★★★★★★☆

Sanderson, Brandon – Mistborn
1. The Final Empire – read: Jan 22 ★★★★★★☆
2. The Well of Ascension – read: Mar 22 ★★★★★☆☆
3. The Hero of Ages – read: Aug 22 ★★★★★★★

My conclusion after this series was that Sanderson is a master plotter. The last book was definitely my favourite, but the magic system and the world building I absolutely loved. The middle book suffered from middle book syndrome, but overall I thought this was a very strong series. 
Overall rating: ★★★★★★☆

Schwab, V E – Monsters of Verity
1. This Savage Song – read: May 20 ★★★★★☆☆
2. Our Dark Duet – read: July 20 ★★★★★★☆

This was an excellent duology, where the main scene setting happens in the first book and the second just ups the stakes a couple of notches.
Overall rating: ★★★★★★☆

Siddoway, Derek Alan – The Gryphon Riders trilogy
1. Windswornread: Jun 18 ★★★★★★☆
2. Windsweptread: Sep 18 ★★★★★★☆
3. Windbreak – read: Nov 18 ★★★★★☆☆

I really enjoyed this series. It took me by surprise and I really enjoyed the ride. The writing is really solid, the plot is great and I love Eva, the main character. And it’s got gryphons! Although the last book did not quite do what I wanted it to do, overall I think this is a really excellent series.
Overall rating: ★★★★★★☆

Stiefvater, Maggie – The Raven Cycle
1. The Raven Boys – read: Nov 18 ★★★★★★☆
2. The Dream Thievesread: Feb 19 ★★★★★★☆
3. Blue Lily, Lily Blueread: Apr 19 ★★★★★☆☆
4. The Raven Kingread: May 19 ★★★★★★☆

I loved how different this series was from any YA series I have read previously. It just felt like a breath of fresh air. The writing was excellent and the friendships were what made these books so special. The final book was a bit of a curveball, but I loved it for that.
Overall rating: ★★★★★★☆

Tolkien, J R R – The Lord of the Rings 
1. The Fellowship of the Ring – read: Aug 18: ★★★★☆☆☆
2. The Two Towers – read: Sep 18 ★★★★★☆☆
3. The Return of the King – read: Oct 18 ★★★☆☆☆☆

I am glad I re-read The Lord of the Rings series, but I did not enjoy it as much as I had hoped. Although I admire how revolutionary it would have been, I struggled with the first and third books in particular. I really enjoyed the overarching story, but I am not the biggest fan of Tolkien’s writing.
Overall rating: ★★★★☆☆☆

***

DNF:

Brown, Pierce – Red Rising
1. Red Rising – read: Mar 18 ★★★★★☆☆
2. Golden Son – read: Apr 18 ★★★★☆☆☆

After reading the first two books, I decided this series simply is not for me.

Hunter, Elizabeth – Elemental Mysteries (re-read)
1. A Hidden Fire – read: Dec 19 ★★★★★☆☆
2. This Same Earth
3. The Force of Wind
4. A Fall of Water

I read this series a long time ago and enjoyed it. I planned to re-read the series, but after the first book I realised I simply did not enjoy this series anymore. 

Jaster, Natalia – Selfish Myths
1. Touch – read: Jan 22 ★★★★☆☆☆
2. Torn – read: Jan 22 ★★★☆☆☆☆ 
3. Tempt 
4. Transcend

I just did not enjoy these as much as I wanted to. 

Taylor, Laini – Daughter of Smoke and Bone
1. Daughter of Smoke and Bone – read: Aug 17 ★★★★★☆☆
2. Days of Blood and Starlight – read: Aug 18 ★★★★☆☆☆

I simply lost interest in this series. There was a year between reading the first and second book and I simply do not feel like carrying on this series.

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