Reading as a Stand Alone Book

Snowflake · Post by **Snowflake** » 04 Oct 2019, 13:18

I have a series that I currently love to read and the first one that I read was the 9th in the series! It read well as a stand-alone but it was wonderful to be able to go back and start at the beginning and find out how everyone got to where the were in the 9th book.

Now, with respect to:

CommMayo wrote: ↑04 Oct 2019, 10:30 What I don't like is when you get an unexpected cliffhanger.

I have been known to stand in a book store and look through the newest book in a series to make sure everyone is ok while I'm waiting to get the book from the library!!

CommMayo · Post by **CommMayo** » 04 Oct 2019, 13:54

Snowflake wrote: ↑04 Oct 2019, 13:18 I have been known to stand in a book store and look through the newest book in a series to make sure everyone is ok while I'm waiting to get the book from the library!!

Now that is hilarious! I also wait to get the newest releases from the library as well...but I haven't thought about stalking the book at the local book store!

Snowflake · Post by **Snowflake** » 04 Oct 2019, 14:18

CommMayo wrote: ↑04 Oct 2019, 13:54
Snowflake wrote: ↑04 Oct 2019, 13:18 I have been known to stand in a book store and look through the newest book in a series to make sure everyone is ok while I'm waiting to get the book from the library!!
Now that is hilarious! I also wait to get the newest releases from the library as well...but I haven't thought about stalking the book at the local book store!

Only in extreme circumstances!!

shaz1994 · Post by **shaz1994** » 04 Oct 2019, 15:41

I think that the important aspect of a standalone novel is the proper background development of the characters the author intends to keep in subsequent books. This allows the reader to fully understand the storyline without having to depend on the previous books.

Amina Yusuf · Post by **Amina Yusuf** » 05 Oct 2019, 01:42

Actually I have not read the first book in the series. I started with the second book and I have to say the author provided background information in the second book for readers who haven't read the first book. That's why I enjoyed the book so much. It is a stand alone book and the same can be said for the rest of the books.

Kristin Ransome · Post by **Kristin Ransome** » 05 Oct 2019, 08:13

If sufficient background knowledge is included, I find almost all series can be read on their own. This one might have enough information included for some readers but not enough for others

Juliana_Isabella · Post by **Juliana_Isabella** » 05 Oct 2019, 08:14

I definitely prefer to read books in a series in order, but my overall impression is that most people who read this one as a standalone did not struggle to understand it.

Amanda Stueve Pense · Post by **Amanda Stueve Pense** » 05 Oct 2019, 10:01

Stephanie Elizabeth wrote: ↑04 Oct 2019, 08:35 I am reading the book as a standalone, but I think had I have read the previous books I would have had a greater understanding of each of the characters. I would have liked to have had more in-depth knowledge of Jamie and Jacko's characters.

Thanks for that insight. Character development is one of my favorite parts of a story, so it is good to know that you think it would be better to read it in order to better understand the characters.

Akpome1 · Post by **Akpome1** » 06 Oct 2019, 05:57

I see the novel as a stand-alone novel. I take this stand because I never saw any reference to the other novels. Perhaps, the characters are the same but their roles differ.

Misael Carlos · Post by **Misael Carlos** » 06 Oct 2019, 08:17

I believe that even a stand-alone installment should have a bit of a background from previous installment to give a reader, new to the series or otherwise, a quick understanding of the characters' actions and behavior.

Phikim · Post by **Phikim** » 06 Oct 2019, 11:44

The book is written so well that it's very independent in its own nature. Greg Kater has simplified the whole story without any reservations. I admit that flashbacks make a story hint on the prior events and activities but on the Skills of the Warramunga the case is different. One would think he/she is reading a very first book.

When you focus on Johnny Crook's courage and his dominance especially in his captivity, you tend to forget any other thing that has happened there before. This book doesn't get dictated by what took place in the previous series. It's well balanced and one cannot feel the disconnect whatsoever. For me, I think this is a stand alone book though having read this series I wouldn't like to miss the other series by this writer.

DC Brown · Post by **DC Brown** » 06 Oct 2019, 22:33

Cecilia_L wrote: ↑04 Oct 2019, 13:05 I am one of the reviewers who recommended it as a stand-alone book. Having not read the others, I felt the author did an excellent job of providing necessary background information in the story. Having said that, now that I have read one in the series, I would like to eventually read the others.

I agree, there was enough background to understand the characters, but not enough to interrupt the story being told. I also think it's a stand-alone book.

Daniel_ · Post by **Daniel_** » 07 Oct 2019, 02:05

CommMayo wrote: ↑02 Oct 2019, 13:37 Personally, I have a hard time not reading a series in order.

For me, I don't have any problem reading a book in the middle of a series, once it is tagged as 'stand-alone'. If not, I prefer to start from the first book.

Post by **Diana Lowery** » 07 Oct 2019, 08:03

Stephanie Elizabeth wrote: ↑04 Oct 2019, 08:35 I am reading the book as a standalone, but I think had I have read the previous books I would have had a greater understanding of each of the characters. I would have liked to have had more in-depth knowledge of Jamie and Jacko's characters.

I agree with this comment. I am reading it as a stand-alone, and the character development seems weak. I saw that many on this forum chose Sarah as their favorite character based on previous books, but I do not see much depth in this book.

vermontelf · Post by **vermontelf** » 07 Oct 2019, 10:13

Jyockel08 wrote: ↑03 Oct 2019, 11:31 When I start a series out of order, I often find myself stopping mid-read and going to look for the first book. So going out of order never works for me. Thanks for the heads up!

I completely agree with this. Even if I end up completing a book out of order, if I like the writing, I then read the series in order. I prefer this logical growth of character and challenges.