Series with consistently good quality?

[Valerie]

I was just reading reviews of the most recent book in a series I started (and greatly enjoyed), and read some spoilers that mentioned the author basically eviscerating everything good about the main character. Other readers were really disappointed, and now I'm hesitant to read it, though I greatly enjoyed the previous books.

Which got me thinking - what series exist that don't have a huge drop-off in quality, clumsily-written changes to the main characters' personalities, or several books full of nothing happening? Or, what series actually get better as they go on instead of getting worse?

[[deleted user]]

Valerie, the first series that comes to mind is the Dresden Files. I believe it one of the few that improves book by book.

[Leighann]

The Dread Pirate Grant wrote: "Valerie, the first series that comes to mind is the Dresden Files. I believe it one of the few that improves book by book."

That's exactly what I was thinking!

[Tracey]

Leighann wrote: "The Dread Pirate Grant wrote: "Valerie, the first series that comes to mind is the Dresden Files. I believe it one of the few that improves book by book."

That's exactly what I was thinking!"

The hive mind is in full effect: me too.

Also Patricia Briggs and, in terms of shorter series, Carol Berg; I don't think I've ever been disappointed in them either.

[[deleted user]]

I feel like all of the Earthsea books were satisfying. And... Temeraire hasn't failed me, yet, but there are still three more books to go. I would say Dark Tower, but the last few chapters might have dropped the ball.

[Kevin]

I'd say Wheel of Time but I know how most people here feel about those. :p

Erhm, ... Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings books could count as a series. Those are all great imo.

Other than that I haven't read any long series in their whole. I plan to start with the Malazan Book of the Fallen somwhere this year though. I heard good things about those.

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

I would suggest Mark Del Franco's Connor Grey series
Unshapely Things
Unquiet Dreams
Unfallen Dead
Unperfect Souls
Uncertain Allies

[[deleted user]]

Ooooh I dont know about the Temeraire novels, Alexandra. The last one that took place in Australia jumped the shark in rather grand fashion IMO.

[Valerie]

Dresden Files is one I expected to be recommended - I've only read 1-3 so far and should probably pick it up again. I've heard Malazan rec'd in this positive light, too.

I did notice that the average rating for the last Temeraire book is significantly lower than the previous ones... I've only read up to book 4, though. I'm not really attached to the series, but how do you screw up something that takes place in Australia? That sounds like it should be an automatic winner. D:

[Bill]

I would suggest author:CJ Cherryh's] various series. I have found them all fascinating and of excellent quality esp in the realm of detailed alien cultures, character and world development.

[Traci]

I have read one of the Dresden Files books and liked it. But for some reason whenever I see this series mentioned I'm reminded of F.Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack. I also read only one, also not the first book, but I enjoyed it. I was thinking the Dresden fans should look into that series too. It's a little light on fantasy but the one I read did have demons.

[Janny]

I would strongly second Carol Berg's first trilogy (Rai Kirah) and her Lighthouse duology.

Also Barbara Hamby's Darwath, also her Suncross, in fact, any of her earlier fantasy series. All excellent.

Try Jennifer Roberson's Tiger and Del series, and Karavans and its sequel, Deepwood, shows promise.

Cherryh's Fortress in the Eye of Time was completely brilliant, bear with the start of the first, it all makes sense as she gets it fully rolling.

I also liked Guy Kay's Fionavar Tapestry for its masterful reworking of major fantasy archtypes, all taken from ancient legend.

For longer works, I lean toward stories with exceptional depth of characterization, and a balanced mix of dark and light - books with a cynical outlook or that center on bitter revenge aren't listed, though there are other series that run along those lines that follow through, I'm less likely to have finished them beyond trying the first few volumes.

[Becky]

Alexandra Victoria wrote: "I would say Dark Tower, but the last few chapters might have dropped the ball."

I don't agree... I think that the ending of the series is perfect and fitting. I loved it. :)

[[deleted user]]

*ahem* Not to just blatantly try to entice your votes but last week, I did nominate the first of the Rai Kirah trilogy for June's epic fantasy read...

*shoves hands in pockets and walks away whistling*

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, *good karma*]

The Dread Pirate Grant wrote: "*ahem* Not to just blatantly try to entice your votes but last week, I did nominate the first of the Rai Kirah trilogy for June's epic fantasy read...

*shoves hands in pockets and walks away whi..."

Hey that's cheating!!! :P

[[deleted user]]

Becky wrote: "Alexandra Victoria wrote: "I would say Dark Tower, but the last few chapters might have dropped the ball."

I don't agree... I think that the ending of the series is perfect and fitting. I loved it..."

The ending was fine.

The two books leading up to the ending are another matter altogether...

eta: and don't get me started on the whole flashback "let's count stuff on the drop! weeee!" book either.

[Becky]

LOL... That is my least favorite of the series, Ala. I think that book could have been cut down by about 300 pages and been just fine. But still, I love the series as a whole. Books 2, 5 and 7 are my favorites. :)

[[deleted user]]

2 is my favorite. 5 was ok.

7... the ending was good. The second ending was perfect. But...well, it's just... no, damnit. NO. That's not how you write an ultimate final battle with the big baddie you've built up for the past 6 books. It's a damned cop-out. ARGH


somuchrage

[Becky]

LOL Yeah, I'll give you that, Ala. I can see how it'd be kind of anti-climactic. But the end-end was perfect, yes. :)

[whimsicalmeerkat]

I get the feeling I'll soon feel compelled to add the Dresden files to the TBR of proportions one cannot calculate.

[Tracey]

Yes. Yes, you will.

[Leighann]

Read Dresden - read them now...:)

[Cheryl]

Leighann wrote: "Read Dresden - read them now...:)"

Are you trying to hypnotize us? Because I think it's working!! I feel the urge to add more books to my ever-expanding, ginormous TBR pile!

[Leighann]

Cheryl wrote: "Leighann wrote: "Read Dresden - read them now...:)"

Are you trying to hypnotize us? Because I think it's working!!"

Good!

[Tracey]

Just relax. Follow the copy of Storm Front with your eyes. Relaaaax...

[Chelsea]

Dresden Files are super duper. I do tend to find them wearisome by the end of each book, because of all the crap Harry has to put up with, and all the abuse he goes through, but there's enough balance in there to keep each book lighthearted and gritty at the same time.

[Kevin]

Denae wrote: "I get the feeling I'll soon feel compelled to add the Dresden files to the TBR of proportions one cannot calculate."

You are going to finish Dresden up before summer comes, and be ready with the rest of us when new book, Ghost Story comes out July 26th.

[whimsicalmeerkat]

Eep!

I am currently re-reading ASoIaF for my fantasy right now. Maybe after that.

[Kevin]

July is going to be a epic month two books coming out: A Dance with Dragons on the 12th and Ghost Story on the 26th. Glad that they coming out about two weeks apart.

[Sharon]

The Dread Pirate Grant wrote: "Valerie, the first series that comes to mind is the Dresden Files. I believe it one of the few that improves book by book."

I think I need to try this one again. I only read the first two, I think, and wasn't particularly impressed. However, I recently picked up a book of Dresden File short stories and was pleasantly surprised.

[mark]

The Fionavar Tapestry!
The Once and Future King
Elric of Melnibone
Lyonesse (jack vance)

[Bill]

I'm finding it difficult to separate 'favorite series' from 'consistently good', esp since many of my favorites were read so long ago. Trying to stick with 'consistently good' and fantasy my list would include:

LOTR - it's a masterpiece as well as being seminal.

The Wars of Light and Shadow by Janny Wurts I've read all but the last of the published novels and have found it consistently amazing. Like LOTR and the Jedi it has become part of my personal mythology.

Juliet Marillier's mythic fictions bringing to life the fringe European mythologies: The Light Isles (Viking), Sevenwaters (Éire); Bridei (Caledonian)

Mary Renault who brought to life Greek myths and legends. Outstanding works.

Morgan Llywelyn who I consider consistently good, if not great, but taught me the great Irish myths and legends and even had the courage to take on Epona and the life of a Druid during the Gallic wars.

CJ Cherryh, though largely SciFi, her Fortress series is amazing and her Finisterre series was fascinating as well. Her style, depth and characterizations are unequalled as a whole.

I have loved all of Stephen Lawhead's legendary fictions - Arthur/Merlin, Robin Hood, Patrick of Ireland... His scholarship and imagination feel like living history to me.

Others I would mention though I'm not sure about 'consistent' include Stephen Grundy, David Gemmell, Bernard Cornwell (though more fiction than fantasy), Guy Gavriel Kay, Kate Elliott, Lois McMaster Bujold, Andre Norton, Dan Simmons among others...

[Jason]

I don't think I've read a series that was consitantly good. There's always one that disappoints for one reason or not.

Earthsea didn't disappoint me, now that I've thought on it some.

There might be more, but I can't remember right now.

[James]

Ala wrote: "2 is my favorite. 5 was ok.

7... the ending was good. The second ending was perfect. But...well, it's just... no, damnit. NO. That's not how you write an ultimate final battle with the big baddie..."

6 books? The Crimson King has been built up more than that. He was also in Insomnia and Black House, and his presence was even felt in Hearts in Atlantis. That's not including one of his servants being Randall Flagg, who appears in more books.

[[deleted user]]

Pfft. I didn't do the whole "read everything else I wrote for cool easter eggs!" hunt that most people do.

I went straight through just the actual DT books.

I've since gone back and read some of the others, but meh, I just don't have the urge to do the rest.