Prequels ~ Alone Or In A Series?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

There are two basic kinds of prequels - prequels that are written as a stand-alone book after the original series has finished or whilst the original series is still being published, or as a series themselves. Both have their merits and I wanted to know all of your opinions on the subject.

My personal preference depends on how good the author is at drawing us into the new storyline. Obviously we are already hooked on the setting/world created by the author that we read of in the original series, but a prequel is centred around new characters, new relationships and a new plot.
If an author relies only on what the reader already likes about the world to make the book a success, that can lead to disinterest.

Some excellent examples of prequels include The Infernal Devices series (:D) as well as Fire by Kristin Cashore. Both books/sets of books were addictive seperate to the original series'. I didn't need to have Mortal Instruments references every five seconds to make me want to know more about Will, Tessa and Jem - I loved the new characters and the new plot. Fire was centred around the same ideas as Graceling, but was new, inventive - changing the type of main character and the plot was creative.

The worse mistake, personally, to make in a prequel is to copy plotlines or main actions/events from the original series. It would be like having a Harry Potter prequel where James Potter searched for a magical stone in his first year, fought a snake in his second, met a lost relative in his third, fought in the Triwizard Tournament and then - after losing loved ones - discovered that an evil guy could be taken down by finding a collection of objects and he defeats him. No one would enjoy it because we've already read it before!!

So main points for me are:
- Originality
- Links (it needs to have a subtle link, at least, to the original - otherwise it makes little sense to call it a 'prequel')
- Treat it like a separate cast of characters and a separate plot (read the prequel for the sake of the prequel)

Your thought below!!

[Olivia]

Booknut wrote: "There are two basic kinds of prequels - prequels that are written as a stand-alone book after the original series has finished or whilst the original series is still being published, or as a series..."

I agree completely. For me to enjoy a prequel it has to have some link to the previous series but has to be original.

[Zohal, Co-Moderator]

Generally I like prequels better than the actual series itself.
Example:
I Love Infernal Devices and I hate Mortal Instruments
I loved the Hobbitt but haven't been able to get through lord of the rings.

It's just a weird thing I have, I like prequels because it is kind of like this is where it started this is how the life was like before the original series. it's kind of like time-travelling. Like right now I'd go into the past it would be like that for a prequel.

Hope it makes sense =)

[AJ]

It depends on the series. I like prequels because it answered the questions about the first book.

[Rachel]

I usually prefer a stand alone for they just seem to be better that way.
I loved the hobbit, the magician's appretice an others that are my favourites and theyre stand alones. But I do believe that it depends on the series :)

[Olivia]

Isabelle wrote: "Generally I like prequels better than the actual series itself.
Example:
I Love Infernal Devices and I hate Mortal Instruments
I loved the Hobbitt but haven't been able to get through lord of the r..."

I love the Mortal Instruments but once I read the Infernal Devices, the Mortal Instruments weren't as amazing because the Infernal Devices were just so great.

[Althea *Go wolves and dragons!*(Coach Hedge)]

I love how surprising the Heroes of Olympus was. But I still like Percy Jackson...

[Anna]

Booknut wrote: "There are two basic kinds of prequels - prequels that are written as a stand-alone book after the original series has finished or whilst the original series is still being published, or as a series..."

Cannot agree more!! I usually like the prequel because I'm already in love with that world! But it does have to have an original plot and characters! By far, my favorite prequel is the Infernal Devices! I also love spin-offs because they have some of the characters you already know and love, but you also get to meet a whole new bunch of people! My favorite spin off would have to be either Heroes of Olympus or Bloodlines!

[Anna]

Olivia wrote: "Isabelle wrote: "Generally I like prequels better than the actual series itself.
Example:
I Love Infernal Devices and I hate Mortal Instruments
I loved the Hobbitt but haven't been able to get thro..."

Exactly! I was in love with the Mortal Instruments, but then I read the Infernal Devices loved those so much more! I can't wait to see if the Dark Artifices can top ID! I doubt it ;)

[Loegwen]

I prefer the prequel be part of the series because then it is much easier to find in say a library or bookstore.
It also is better for the author because they can give a background story in a book without stuffing it all into the first book of the series.

[[deleted user]]

Isabelle wrote: "Generally I like prequels better than the actual series itself.
Example:
I Love Infernal Devices and I hate Mortal Instruments
I loved the Hobbitt but haven't been able to get through lord of the r..."

Perfect sense and I agree.

[Olivia]

Loegwen wrote: "I prefer the prequel be part of the series because then it is much easier to find in say a library or bookstore.
It also is better for the author because they can give a background story in a book ..."

Very true!

[[deleted user]]

I like prequels that add things to the story but aren't necessary for understanding the main series and keep it original while still giving me what I love about the main series. If you're going to do a prequel, don't go halfway about it. Make it just as good as the main series if not better.

[Lady Poppy]

Tessa Vakarian ❅ Winter is Coming ❅ wrote: "I like prequels that add things to the story but aren't necessary for understanding the main series and keep it original while still giving me what I love about the main series. If you're going to ..."

I agree completely!

[[deleted user]]

I have this thing where I need to read a series in order, or I don't open the books. I count the prequel(s) as the first in the series, because it is meant by the author to come before the main action. As an example, I have "The Mortal Instruments" on my TBR List, and was about to start "City of Bones" just a little awhile ago. I had to put that on hold because I learned that "The Infernal Devices" comes first. I read that trilogy, and loved it. Now I am afraid "The Mortal Instruments" will disappoint.