The third (but probably not final) book in the Temeraire series, Black Powder War by Naomi Novik was quite possibly better than the other two. 
She does seem to be getting better at this. Unfortunately, my satisfaction was dashed onto the jagged rocks with the first signs of what I will coin as the “perpetual series syndrome”.
Those of you who know me have heard me complain about this behavior from much more established (and impressive) authors such as Robert Jordan. Let me explain: I suspect that many authors will write a book with the hopes that a series may result, but complete the first story without knowing whether it will get picked up by anyone. If the book does well, the author will write more. If the book does REALLY well, the author will often leave the ending dangling loosely to entice us into buying the next book. I have no problem with authors wanting to extend their franchise… and there is certainly nothing magical about a trilogy as the perfect set (although I tend to like the classical 3-Act tradition this invokes).
I have always felt that every book must in some sense stand on its own… beginning, climax, resolution. If the book doesn’t resolve the issues created within the story… well then it’s just pandering to the publishers… or maybe the bank account. I understand that a 4th book is in the works and I won’t pass my complete judgment yet… but the ending of this story was suspiciously like the start of a failure to deliver.
Stay tuned…
January 15th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Ahhh…Blasphemy! How dare you rant upon the holy name of Robert Jordan, who must be revered as only Old Gods are!
But, seriously, with Jordan as an extreme case, he has always claimed that he had the end of the series in mind (if not actually written) since he began the saga oh so long ago.
And now he has amyloidosis. He is NOT ALLOWED TO DIE.
January 15th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Hear, hear! According to the various abundant Jordan sites he has strongly stipulated that his extensive outlines and notes NOT ever be fleshed out into a conclusion unless it is by he, himself. And, yeah, I see him pacing it for 13 books. It’s a significant number in the WOT world, and once it was clear his books were popular enough for it to go that far, I think he’s consciously been working on that pace.
Now …. the Sword of Truth books …. 10 novels and 1 novella later, I’m not sure there’s any plan whatsoever. Joe and I have an ongoing joke. “I’m feeling a bit tense and threatened, I’d better get out The Sword of Truth. … My steak is tough … Sword of Truth … popcorn stuck in my teeth .. Sword of Truth!” The lead, Richard, just goes for that thing willy nilly.
January 16th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Heidi: I really liked Wizard’s First Rule and The Second Book (whatever it’s called) but oh my god, the rest just kept dragging and dragging and draggggggggggggging…
I read them all, despite that, because I’m a masochist, however after Temple of Winds, they started to receive what I call the Tad Williams Read, whereby I just move along until there is dialog or action.
And, I utterly refuse to read the most recent one of them. I read the last one, where Kahlan vanishes from everyone’s memory, and it was torture! Why do we have to revisit themes that were disposed of 6 books ago? Why! WHY! AAAAAAGGGGGRRRRHRHRHRHRHRHRHRHGGGGG! I hated that book.
Once the “last” book is out, I’ll probably skim it, just to see what he does, but I for sure will never buy a book of his again.