I have a lot of series that I love. There are some that I love and have completed the entirety. Others I loved the beginning and continued in some way, but then life got in the way and I never finished.
I also have some series on my shelf which I own but haven’t started yet.
Isn’t book hoarding fun?
So today I thought I would go through some series I own because in 2018 two of my goals revolve around these:
- Re-Read books I love
- Complete as many book series as I can
I know, I know. In the words of River Song: Spoilers!
For ones that I grew up reading, I think it’ll be interesting to see what I think of them now. Perhaps I’ll fall back in love with them?
For ones I haven’t finished, it’ll be exciting to finally find out how it ends.
And finally, for the ones I haven’t yet started, I’ll finally know.
This part includes the top five book series I want to re-read and now complete in 2018.
Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz
Alex Rider is a 14 year old boy who lives with his uncle and guardian, Ian. Ian Rider was killed in a car crash however, Alex becomes suspicious surrounding the circumstances of his uncles death. During his investigation he learns his uncle did not work for the bank, as he had been lead to believe. Ian Rider worked for The Secret Intelligence Service, more commonly known as MI6. Now they want to recruit Alex. Although the bosses believe no-one would suspect a young 14 year old boy, Alex quickly learns one thing: You’re never too young to die.
This one is interesting for me because books 1 – 9 came out between the years 2000 to 2011 and I completed them! Stormbreaker to Scorpia Rising. I loved them!
Russian Roulette came out in 2013 however, this was a prequel to the Alex Rider series. I am interested however, I haven’t picked it up yet.
Then earlier this year (2017) Anthony Horowitz released Never Say Die. The 11th book in the Alex Rider series.
EXCUSE ME?
Personally, I did not see this coming. While this means I technically have one more unfinished series on my shelf, I am so nervous and so excited to see where this will go. I have no idea what to expect and part of me wants to keep it that way. I’ve also made the decision I want to re-read the entire series before I continue with Never Say Die because I want to fall completely back into that world.
Something else exciting? There’s another book coming our way titled Nightshade!
Skulduggery Pleasant – Derek Landy
Skulduggery Pleasant is a detective and a mage. Oh, and let’s not forget – he’s dead.
Stephanie Edgley is in danger and finds help from the dead detective himself. It’s OK, he’s the good guy. An unusual pair, but the worlds only hope, as they attempt to stop the evil Nefarian from bringing back The Faceless Ones.
Let’s agree I’m not good with synopsis.
I believe I read books 1 – 6 of this series. The next one came out in 2012, around when I started working full-time. That’s where things drifted off.
I absolutely loved this series. It was entertaining, suspenseful and so funny! I was constantly cracking up with laughter, I think that really surprised me when I first went into this series.
I know that the series itself finished in 2014 with Dying of the Light (Book 9) however, once again the author has come back with another release this year! Only this time, instead of a follow on, it’s a ‘Second series’ and I want to read it. I want to get caught up and find out what happened with these characters. Once again I just want to fall back in love with this world I loved growing up.
Dexter – Jeff Lindsay
Dexter Morgan works for the police as a forensic blood spatter pattern analyst. He is a brother to sister Deborah and a very likeable person in the eyes of his friends and colleagues. Dexter is also a serial killer. He kills murderers, rapists, anyone who has escaped the judicial system, anyone the police can’t pursue due to lack of evidence and witnesses plus those who keep so under the radar that the system don’t even know they exist.
His need to kill doesn’t come from being a vigilante or protecting the people. Dexter has an inner voice who he refers to as ‘The Dark Passenger’. That’s his need to kill. Once satisfied he’ll carry on as normal for a while, but the passengers thirst is never fully quenched and there are never a shortage of criminals in Miami.
If you’ve ever heard of the TV show, then you probably know all about this series.
There was a time where I watched the series while I read the books. The first season does a great job of telling the story of the first book however, afterwards the direction of the books and the show take off in two completely different directions. I enjoyed this because it was like a double dosage of Dexter.
As it stands, I didn’t finish either series which is really frustrating because I loved them both. I slacked around Book 5 and Season 5 (which was a complete co-incidence). I didn’t intend to stop, but it was between the years of 2010 and 2012, so upon reflection I think I understand why.
I do plan to re-read this series from the beginning and I am so looking forward to it!
Chronicles of Ancient Darkness – Michelle Paver
“Six thousand years ago, Evil stalks the land. According to legend, only twelve-year-old Torak and his wolf-cub companion can defeat it. Their journey together takes them through deep forests, across giant glaciers, and into dangers they never imagined. Torak and Wolf are terrified of their mission. But if they do not battle to save their world, who will?” — Wolf Brother
The truth? That is not my synopsis, but it’s probably better than the one I could give.
I feel genuinely guilty about this one because I loved the book Wolf Brother. I loved it so much that when I read it back in year 9 I bought the book, met the author and got her autograph. Now, at 24 years old, I can’t even give a synopsis. That is truly awful of me.
It’s also why I want to re-read it because I genuinely really enjoyed this book, I remember that! I remember the memories that went along with that. So, I’ve made the decision to re-read the first book and hopefully carry on with the series.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson is home for the summer and so he and his mother take a trip to a cabin in Montauk. The trip doesn’t last long. Percy is attacked and soon finds himself at Camp Half-Blood, a training camp for demigods where he learns about his own heritage. Percy Jackson is the son of Poseidon.
Zeus is furious when he learns his weapon, the most powerful weapon in the world, was stolen. Now Percy must go to Hades and back to save the world from a war between the Olympian Gods.
I feel like if any incomplete series will end in stuff thrown at me, this will be it.
To be honest, I’d understand. I was not only a huge fan of the books I’d read but I also adore Greek Mythology. I’m not sure why I never finished these, I think about reading them constantly but end up going for another book. It’s time though. It’s time to finish this series and hopefully continue reading more of Rick Riordans work because, from what I hear, they’re fantastic.
Further Thoughts
These are only 5 series from the ones I own that are currently incomplete however, hopefully a small step in the right direction to completing all of them.
What are some of your all-time favourite series? Do you like re-reading books? Let me know!
