BLOG: Never ending series (just ranting)

I write this as I sit on my fat ass inside Powell's books. The staff are staring at me as if I am wasting their air; look at me as if not having a book in hand is enough to ban me.

I cannot put a book in hand however. I am too frustrated.Recently, I became familiar with the work of author Charles de Lint. I have perused his shelf in this store a number of times. The titles plots and cover art are enamoring. As such, he has become one of my “must make time for” authors, moving other books to raise de Lint higher in the queue.

I was lucky enough to get a free copy of ‘Someplace to be Flying’, one novel I have had a specific itch to consume. I was glad to take this reasonably loved then retired library book.

Now the crux of my issue, why I am so mad at this free book. I learned today that Charles de Lint has a fictional town called Newford, and this town has an entire series tied to it referred to aptly as the Newford Series. This book is chronologically placed around the eighth in the twenty three book series, loosely connected but connected all the same.

I get the feeling this is not like Maine is for King, where references are made but there is no true requirement to consume them all. I do not know that I can chance investing that much time on one author! I hate when I feel tricked into a series, I get interested, get excited then find I am stuck reading a series that never ends..

I fear this is a lot like other series which were unclear from the onset. I read Terry Brooks ‘Armageddons Children’ because I had no interest in the Shannara series. After enjoying the book I found it had a cliff hanger ending. Because it was the first in a trilogy of Shannara prequels.  Book cover advised it was a “Solid standalone novel for Brooks fans”… When they released the mass market paperback it was re-branded with the terms “Genesis of Shannara…”

I know I am just being unreasonable, it is just a personal gripe. I specifically checked the biblio in his books to ensure I was investigating stand alone novels.. Not trying to be a dick but reading near twenty five books would be akin to marrying the man and giving him a hummer while his hand is in my wallet..

Has anyone I know, read these enough to give me the simple insight I need?