When a series changes or book injects odd reveal

[L J]

For me when series or series characters change that is probably going to overshadow everything else about the book and that is going to be reflected in my review. I think that's fair and something I would have liked to know before choosing to read book.

For instance:

Add paranormal or SF elements several books into a series. Several books into series characters are suddenly not exactly human, they are part animal or alien. I read paranormal, fantasy, SF and so on but my first reaction: What?!?

Major unexplained changes to main characters. Main characters about five or six books into series became, without explanation, anti-vaxxers, government is out to get us, etc. type. My reaction - what is the author thinking? Has author changed?

Science fiction that changed from hard SciFi to religion driven tech and woo-woo with fantasy elements. Why?

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

I don't read a lot of series so it's not surprising I don't recall encountering that... but it certainly must be frustrating! And, yes, I would absolutely make my displeasure known in rating and in review. Jeepers.

[Becky]

Honestly seeing any of that even in a standalone book would turn me off.

[L J]

Becky wrote: "Honestly seeing any of that even in a standalone book would turn me off."

It does happen in standalone books. In standalone books it often seems like planned revelation but reader may or may not notice the clues or hints about what's coming.

What annoys me most about revelations in standalone books is when there was no reason to hide the information. It's not a big reveal, just information, usually about characters, the author didn't bother to share.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

(Stupid Goodreads for messing up the notification system. I have now checked the box "Notify me when people comment" in most discussions in most of my groups, but I've also left some groups. Way too much of a PITA.)

I agree, L J. Maybe the author thinks it's more realistic if we get to know character gradually, but I don't like the way it's often done.

[L J]

Cheryl wrote: "(Stupid Goodreads for messing up the notification system. I have now checked the box "Notify me when people comment" in most discussions in most of my groups, but I've also left some groups. Way too much of a PITA.)"

Some time ago messed up notifications caused me to take a closer look at my groups. I left some and changed notifications for others.

"I agree, L J. Maybe the author thinks it's more realistic if we get to know character gradually, but I don't like the way it's often done."

A couple that annoyed me:

Reveal at 20-30%, female main character is widow and 'Dad' is her father-in-law not her father.

Reveal close to halfway in, female main character is deaf and she usually wears hearing aids that help some.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

Geepers. Such reveals. But, you see, if we were, say, a neighbor or colleague, we'd only learn those kinds of details after a while... so, 'realistic.' But I agree that, since we're the reader, it can be annoying.

[L J]

Cheryl wrote: "Geepers. Such reveals. But, you see, if we were, say, a neighbor or colleague, we'd only learn those kinds of details after a while... so, 'realistic.' But I agree that, since we're the reader, it can be annoying."

In the case of the widow it changed many things relationships, motivations, meanings of conversations... I finished the book but had lost my attachment to the characters.

In real life people can mistake hearing aids for earbuds but it seemed weird no one said anything. The character came off as entitled, stuck up and uncaring. Not a good way to relate to clients or get new contracts. Reveal was to the reader not to the clients. I think the point of the book was that we never know what others we encounter are dealing with but it didn't work for me. The people I've known didn't hesitate to say something about if you want me to understand what you say you need to be facing me.

[Cheryl, first facilitator]

Oh. Ok, wow, yeah, those two instances would totally peeve me. Gosh.