I’m an avid reader. Most writers are big readers. I’ll read almost anything, but I love to read a good series. A devoted fan of a book series knows that occasionally you have to tolerate topics or subplots you could live without for the greater good of the series.
Currently my favorite series is Charlaine Harris’ Southern Vampire Series. (Also known as the Sookie Stackhouse books for lovers of the HBO series True Blood.) I love reading them because they are fun, adventurous, mysterious, and a lit bit sexy. I long to have the talent to write steamy scenes like she does.
**WARNING: Possible Spoiler Ahead**
That being said, I’ve always had a problem with the fae (fairy) storyline. Sookie’s fairy godmother drove me nuts, but she was often useful to advance the plot. And with each book the fae became more and more visible, but I let it go. So when book #9 came out last year, I was disappointed to find it was all about, you guessed it, the fae. However, by the end of the book, I honestly believed we, as readers, were done with all this fairy mess for a while.
I WAS WRONG!
I recently was on Amazon.com and read the blurb for Ms. Harris’ book #10 in the series, DEAD IN THE FAMILY. (Yes, I’ll wait while you go to Amazon and read it. … Oh good, your back. I’ll continue.) It seems that the book will include some more from the world of the fae. Arrrrrgh! So I went to the author’s website only to discover she had posted the first chapter of this book. (Yep, I’ll wait. It’s charlaineharris.com … Did you read it?) When I read the chapter, I was led to believe the whole book is going to be about Sookie dealing with the fae. I am sick of the fae. I want Sookie and Eric and Bill and Bubba. I’m sure I’ll see them, but not as much as I’d like.
So, at what point does someone give up reading a series because of a storyline that drives you nuts? I’m not there yet, but only because I love the characters so much. Her new book will be out May 4th and yes I’ll be the first in line. But it won’t stop this reader from ranting about the fae.
HA! I may or may not have read a certain series on your recommendation past book 6! This series is now on book 15 and chapter 1, book 16 is posted on the author’s website. Am I about to read it? YEP. I wanna see how ANOTHER car gets blown up and another romance is unrequited. Sigh.