Do you think a series can ever be too long?

[TheBookMaven]

I always love it when a good book continues into more books of a series, but I wonder if sometimes, a series goes on too long? For example, I have read all of the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich, but I have discovered that by the time you get to about book 14 or so, that they seem to be a different problem to solve, but none of the characters situations or anything else changes. I makes the story less enjoyable because the stories become very predictable. I think that once you get to that point, either the series needs to end, or maybe the author just needs to take a break from that particular series or something. Have any of you experienced this with other series?

[TrishaAnn92]

Yes! Series that go on too long tend to have problems with the plot for that story and it just gets predictable.

[Aussie-reader]

I must say I much prefer books that stand alone rather those which are part of a series.

[jreed1694]

I think series are great, but all good things must come to an end. A series that goes on too long gets boring and the later books tend to ruin the early ones.

[ITnker]

I was reading series, such as James Patterson's Alex Cross. In doing I found series were overwhelming, waiting on the next book to come out and hopefully remembering the previous points of the story. But, just like others have said, when a series goes beyond its usefulness, where does it end?

Currently reading the Game of Thrones, well into the third book, I find I am reading other books at the same time so not to let the series become dull.

[Anxious Educator]

Maybe I just haven't read a whole lot of series, because I can only think of one instance where a series really, truly went on too long for me: The Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness.

It wasn't that there were too many books (it's a trilogy), but the final book just dragged on for me. It got to the point where I just wanted everyone to either kiss and make up or destroy each other. Terrible, I know.

I totally agree with jreed1694 that when books in a series start to go downhill, it ruins the often-excellent early books. One of the best parts about reviewing books is to be able to revisit those earlier books and remember how much you loved them before the series started to get you down.

[Winter]

I like it when there are several books in a series, but when there are a lot of books (say more than about 7 or I'm less likely to start reading it in the first place. I guess if I love the series and it stays interesting, having more books is better, but it would have to be really good.

[Ashley07]

yes! When they get past 10 and go as far as 20s (the breed series?) its hard to jump in and start them. I prefer when they break them up into groups of 5.

[saouad]

I've never encountered the issue in the past, however I imagine it is possible.

I've read The Sword of Truth, which includes over a dozen books of approximately 1,000 pages each. Even though I read them over the span of a year, I did not find the series too long -in fact I was heartbroken to read the last book of the series!

However I am struggling to finish A Dance with Dragons, from the Game of Thrones series. I think a series is only too long if it is not well-developed.

[FNAWrite]

I've cited elsewhere such long term series as McBain's 87th Precinct (c. 50 yrs), Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot (50+), and Robert B. Parker's Spenser character (35+).

I cite to them because they are series I like. I like the characters. I like the plots. I'm glad there are so many of them.

It's like seeing an old friend.

P.S. Almost forgot to mention my pals Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin (c. 40 yrs).

[S dot Lennon]

Yes! Yes! And yes! There can be too much a of a good thing. I like knowing how many books are going to be in a series as well because it means the authors has a stopping point. Eventually I want the story to end!

[SDaws]

I think while I would really like a series to keep going if it was an author I liked, Its always good to stop before it gets stale.

[britt1125]

I think it would depend on the books and the author. I know that with movies they get old and warn out by the time they actual finish watching them, so I assume that it could be the same with books. I have never read any series that made me feel that way myself but I am positive that its possible.

[fantasybookworm]

Yes, I do think that a series can be too long. I think that if there is no new information going on in the new books, but just some kind of repeating from previous books than it gets boring. I think that going beyond 4 books can get tricky. That being said, there have been series that are beyond 4 books and are very good. So I think the author has to have strong content.

[nickyhenkeman]

Definately not! Especially not when the characters are well-written.