How to Say Goodbye?


This week was awesome because the final book in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series, Last Sacrifice, was published.

This week was horrible because the final book in Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series, Last Sacrifice, was published.

Readers, do you understand this contradiction? I'm sure you do.

One of the best and worst things about books you truly love is knowing they'll come to an end. When the books are part of a series it seems to me that this anticipation, joy, and sorry are amplified because you're that much more invested in the story arc and its characters.

I loved Last Sacrifice - it was a fantastic conclusion to the series. But I woke up this morning feeling a little blue because I'd spent time in the last two days sneaking time to cuddle up with my book and devour it. While I have many other wonderful books to read in my house, there is something about waiting for a book you've been wanting and stealing that time to spend with it that makes the experience exceptional.

This isn't a sudden revelation - my husband woke up to find me sobbing in bed at 5 a.m. because I'd just finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"I finished the book!" I cried.

Despite my post-book blues, I wouldn't trade the wonder of that emotional journey with characters for anything. But I'm wondering - how do you cope with the end of favorite series?
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Published on December 10, 2010 08:48
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message 1: by Lora (new)

Lora That is an excellent question. I cried when I
finished Breaking Dawn, and I know I'm going to
when I read Forever by Maggie Stiefvater next
July.


message 2: by Jade (last edited Dec 10, 2010 05:17PM) (new)

Jade It has been hard but I have learned to survive series ending. Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and now VA series have been the toughest. One thing that minimizes the sadness of this series (VA) ending is that the Spin off will come out next year and some of the world created will continue.
I have to add that I prefer a good story to end than to have the author continue it without having the same quality of writing or seemingly no direction to where the story is headed. Examples that come to mind are LK Hamilton's Anita Blake's series or Sherilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series.


message 3: by Callista (new)

Callista Its heart breaking when a favorite series ends. its like a good friend has passed on, but you need to remember you can always go back and experience it again.
And there's always new adventures out there to be found, to help ease the pain of the ending of another.


message 4: by Carena (new)

Carena I understand the pain completely


message 5: by Callista (new)

Callista Carena wrote: "I understand the pain completely"

i think any true lover of books does. 'he who loves to read, lives not one life, but a thousand.'


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