Richelle, explain.
Warning: I'm going to talk about Shadow Heir. And while I won't be giving away any specific details, there may be some general spoilery stuff. So, perhaps you should avoid this post if you haven't read the book yet...but come back to it once you've finished SH.
Anyway, if you've read SH, you probably know that the ending resolves some things...but not others. Obviously, this troubles some people since there's a big, big question left open there. I had a couple of reasons for ending it it in that OMG way. One is that I kind of like leaving a little mystery at the end, kind of like in the 1980s Flash Gordon movie when Ming's ring starts glowing. (IS HE REALLY DEAD? IS HE COMING BACK?). I don't always want to have every single detail neat and tidy at the end of a series. It can feel a little too perfect. I like to think about things afterward and leave a few open doors. Many have asked if I have plans, on some far off day, to wrap up some of the remaining mysteries.
My answer? You never know. :)
In the meantime, thanks so much for everyone's support. I know a lot of people really dig the mystery there, and even those anxious for more books have been super supportive and know that I'm not trying to torment anyone. :) Feedback for the book overall has been really positive, and I'm super, super grateful for all the wonderful readers out there.
And if you haven't got your Eugenie fix yet, the first four issues of the Dark Swan comic have been released in a bound hardcover form. It's on Amazon and also available from BN and University Books. The artwork is so gorgeous, and if you've loved the series, you'll think this is amazing. Other issues will be coming out in the near future, so you can expect more beautiful things to come.
And if you need STILL MORE Eugenie, check out this app that Kensington made and find out which Dark Swan character you are!
Anyway, if you've read SH, you probably know that the ending resolves some things...but not others. Obviously, this troubles some people since there's a big, big question left open there. I had a couple of reasons for ending it it in that OMG way. One is that I kind of like leaving a little mystery at the end, kind of like in the 1980s Flash Gordon movie when Ming's ring starts glowing. (IS HE REALLY DEAD? IS HE COMING BACK?). I don't always want to have every single detail neat and tidy at the end of a series. It can feel a little too perfect. I like to think about things afterward and leave a few open doors. Many have asked if I have plans, on some far off day, to wrap up some of the remaining mysteries.
My answer? You never know. :)
In the meantime, thanks so much for everyone's support. I know a lot of people really dig the mystery there, and even those anxious for more books have been super supportive and know that I'm not trying to torment anyone. :) Feedback for the book overall has been really positive, and I'm super, super grateful for all the wonderful readers out there.
And if you haven't got your Eugenie fix yet, the first four issues of the Dark Swan comic have been released in a bound hardcover form. It's on Amazon and also available from BN and University Books. The artwork is so gorgeous, and if you've loved the series, you'll think this is amazing. Other issues will be coming out in the near future, so you can expect more beautiful things to come.
And if you need STILL MORE Eugenie, check out this app that Kensington made and find out which Dark Swan character you are!
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Syahira
(new)
Jan 06, 2012 12:48AM
I've finished Shadow Heir yesterday. I still think the series is definitely one of your best series to date next to bloodlines and VA. Cant wait for the next Dark Swan book. For me, the entire Succubus series is just a major disappointment but I get why some people dislike this series more but like the other.
reply
|
flag
she said "You never know.". BTW, I've read Mead's books for years. She's a writer. She's going to write. She did left the open endings for a reason you know
I LOVED "Shadow Heir"!! I like this end because it's different from other books of this genre!Richelle Mead you're great!!
Uh, I honestly never understood why people were upset about the ending. It ended where it was most important, the rest we just have to work our imaginations a bit. I also noticed people were resentful of Eugenie's choices which is nonsense, she has made every choices like any normal person would. I guess reading too much Fantasy books made us expect the unbelievable rather than the believable. The book is amazing, the series is outstanding and I can't wait for whichever adult series you're going to start. Thank you for taking time to explained things.
Sarah wrote: "Uh, I honestly never understood why people were upset about the ending. It ended where it was most important, the rest we just have to work our imaginations a bit. I also noticed people were resent..."you are so right!!!!!!!!!!!!!I absolutely agree with you!!!
JennyJen wrote: "It's torment nonetheless. Neat and tidy wasn't necessary. Your disgruntled fans merely wanted to see some growth in Eugenie and that was clearly missing. Who's on board with a self-serving protagon..."As a reader of a lot of urban fantasy, I do not need a happy ending, or even complete resolution, at the end of a series. What I do need, however, is to feel that I can step into the protaganist's shoes, and see the world from her perspective. That's what I am looking for in a good book. And that's where Shadow Heir failed me. I could not fathom
Eugenie's choices.
I tend to find "happily ever after" type endings...nothing more than patronizing the readers. I really dislike when stories end that way. While I had my own issues with the ending, it did nothing to diminish how much I liked the book or the series.
Even if I wasn't completely happy with the open ending, it doesn't matter in the long run. Simply put, I absolutely loved Shadow Heir and only managed to put my Kindle down long enough to sleep...and usually I passed out with it in my hands! While there may not have been that happily ever after closure, there was a closure to so much else that made the story one of the best I've read in quite awhile. I just have no idea how I'm going to last until your next book is published as I just finished Succubus Revealed a minute ago. You have truly surpassed everyone else on my favorite Author's list...unfortunately Miss Deveraux {for her anyway} is now second to you.
I'm glad you at least understand people had trouble with the end. It didn't come off as open to me. The choices she made were very clear, and I've just never ended up disliking a character as much as I did with this book. But then again, I'm a mother first, and I'm not getting where people who replied above me think she made the choices a normal person would. That being said, I loved the first three books and basically every other word you've written ever.
I LOVED the book and LOVED the end... it made me dream about what could be next... and you never know! :D
I have read every single book of urs and i have to say that the ending of this book was the biggest surprise ever.And shock. Right after i finished the book, I searched the internet,to make sure that we have more dark swan books coming up. When i didn't found any, i just simply assumed you will go for a round-off series. But, really Shadow Heir was the best one of the four. Sure was worth the wait.
JennyJen wrote: "I say, when an author has to "explain", make promises of future novellas just to TRULY wrap up a series (*cough* VA), and resort to mysterious "You never know's" to appease a very large part of her..."I agree!!!!!
Okay, as a mom, and person who DEEPLY loves Dorian (haha), well, I've just made my decision in my own mind on how Eugenie proceeds. But I LOVED the book, brought me out of a little reading slump I was in. I have never been disappointed with one of your books and always look forward to your new books.Life rarely wraps up with "and they lived happily ever after..." so the expectation that all series should end that way is odd. Yes, we got it with Georgina. And in the end here, Eugenie figured out her heart, which brought a smile to my face on that very last page.
Sarah wrote: "Uh, I honestly never understood why people were upset about the ending. It ended where it was most important, the rest we just have to work our imaginations a bit. I also noticed people were resent..."I totally agree Sarah - I thought the ending suited the series perfectly!
i loved the whole series but i have to admit that and the end i was like....REALLYYYYYY!!!!!!!btw i absolutely loved succubus series and now that was a perfect ending!
Who wouldn't want more of Eugenie and the other lively characters in this series??? I would love to see a spin-off series someday :)
ennyJen wrote: "I say, when an author has to "explain", make promises of future novellas just to TRULY wrap up a series (*cough* VA), and resort to mysterious "You never know's" to appease a very large part of her..." I agree. For both VA and DS
Richelle had different idea for the ending. I liked it. I liked the whole series.
While there were elements of Shadow Heir that surprised me, I am satisfied with it. Vicki, I completely agree with you. I actually like the maybes. It makes me see the characters as regular people who can still change and evolve, even after the end of one story or plot. I'm okay with JK Rowling possibly re-visiting the Harry Potter world or Stephenie Meyer writing more Twilight-based novels. I would certainly be okay with Richelle going back to Otherworld because it would give me more Dorian!
I would have loved if Ms. Mead could've at least gotten the characters names right. The story felt cobbled together to just finish her least money-making series. I wrote a review on my page to further discuss this.
well first I do love this series but I found the whole "lets keep our kids somewhere with random people" idea disappointing..
There seems to be so many people that loved the ending and claim Eugenie acted completely in character that I feel as a minority. Maybe I misunderstood something? I'm really curious if any of the fans of the Shadow Heir could explain to me the following things that I simply could not wrap my head around:(view spoiler)
I have several other question, but for now we'd limit it to just 2.
I would really appreciate if anyone who thinks that Eugenie's actions were very realistic and that this is exactly what anyone sane would do in the real world, would enlighten me too. I would love to understand this book.
I have not read this series yet. But I love your Vampire academy and the spin off Bloodlines! Bloodlines actually made me laugh so hard. Adrien and Sydney make for a good story... :) Seeing as how I love these books Ill give Shadow Heir a shot! Keep up the good work and write faster lol its really hard to wait a whole year in between your books.
The Dark Swan books are my favorites of Mead's however I did have a problem with the ending not because it was "open" but because of the choices. I do hope to see a spin-off at some point and hope Eugenie ended up making some better choices. She left it open about telling Dorian at the end. I agree with Nazrin about where the kids would be safer. I disagree with another comment that her choices were selfish. I think she thinks she is doing what's best for her babies but to me I don't get how that is best for them for many reasons. And with how much Dorian wanted children it's heartbreaking if she doesn't tell him and they don't raise the kids. Just seems like an all around dumb choice and as a mother not what I would do.
JennyJen wrote: "It's torment nonetheless. Neat and tidy wasn't necessary. Your disgruntled fans merely wanted to see some growth in Eugenie and that was clearly missing. Who's on board with a self-serving protagon..."I am with you on this one :( Ever since Iron Crowned the series went downhill for me :(
As a mother what usually irritates me the most is the irresponsible parents who endanger their kids. How dare Eugenie leave her infant son who already has so many enemies dead set on murdering him in the middle of Alabama basically unprotected? She hasn't changed their names and she doesn't even keep them as a secret. So seriously how hard would it be in this day and age to search through public birth records for a very specific time frame for a set of twins with very specific names. How many twin Ivy and Isaacs (and I won't be surprised that they even carry her last name, it was not mentioned that she took any precautions whatsoever with their names) do you think are born in the US everyday? How long do you think it would take for a private detective to track them down? My bet would be at most maybe half a day or so.
Nazrin wrote: "There seems to be so many people that loved the ending and claim Eugenie acted completely in character that I feel as a minority. Maybe I misunderstood something? I'm really curious if any of the f..."AMEN!!! I love Richelle Mead's books and have adored Eugenie, but I am so disappointed in her. I am baffled by all the folks saying she was being brave by not taking the easy way out and having a happy ending. To me she took an even simpler way out, the tried-and-true "powerful women can't be mothers". I found it offensive. If she wanted to avoid a happy ending, there are many things she could have done it that weren't insulting to strong women and mothers everywhere!
While I know that the ending is left to be a mystery, I really enjoyed the book. Since I have no imagination, I would have preferred if the closing of the book would have been done by you. I understand that you like to leave it as a mystery, and though I appreciate you letting us, the readers know, there is still this void of emptiness that I feel. It's almost just like Vampire Academy's ending. I hope you do come around and change your mind and finish the story. I really want to know what happens. So many questions unanswered.
