Good Things Come in Trilogies

There is something about trilogies that I love. Maybe because the story is just too big for one novel or that you just love the characters so much that you’re excited to be immersed in that world for just a little longer.

I guess the only thing that I really hate about trilogies is that if I stumble across one that isn’t complete—I have to wait for the new books to come out.

Here are some of my favorite completed trilogies, which are all excellent reads:

His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. This is fantasy at its best, a world that is like our own but not with animal daemons, feisty Lyra, heroic Will, and diva Mrs. Coulter. I think The Amber Spyglass is probably my favorite book of this trilogy but then it depends on the day.






Midnighters Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld. It’s no secret that I LOVE this author. It’s amazing how he can create unique concepts and characters. This trilogy in particular has everything—gifted teenagers born at midnight, evil psycho kitties, tridecalogism amulet action, secrets, and a little romance—ingredients for a great trilogy.




Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix. I must admit I didn’t know what a necromancer was until reading this trilogy. Nix has created an unforgettable world in the Old Kingdom and the magic of the Charter. My favorite book in this trilogy is probably Lirael where we first meet the Disreputable Dog and the shady Mogget.




Make Lemonade Trilogy by Virginia Euwer Wolff. Could it be that I actually love a trilogy that isn’t paranormal or fantasy based? This trilogy has been several years in the making but finally this summer, the third book was published. The novels center around LaVaughn, an urban teen who has lots of dreams but several obstacles, and Jolly, a single mother who has her own share of disappointments. The author shows the growth of both of these characters and the third book offers some interesting surprises.

Here are some trilogies that are not complete, but so far I’ve been impressed with the books already published.

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. This trilogy doesn’t have an official name yet, and I just found out from her blog that there is a 3rd book—This World We Live In—with a tentative release in April 2010 so I’ll be all over it. The second book, the dead & the gone was published last summer and let’s just say, that visit to stadium was unforgettable.




The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han. I also found out this is the first book in a trilogy. The second book comes out in summer 2010 and the third in summer 2011. This is going to be interesting since Belly has to choose between two hot brothers—and in the end of book 1, she chooses one (I’m won’t spoil it by telling which one), but a lot can happen in two books—who knows Belly might have a change of heart.




And of course, I have to mention my current favorites. Fortunately, the second books in both of these trilogies come out later this Fall.

A Resurrection of Magic by Kathleen Duey. The first book was absolutely riveting and the second book, Sacred Scars, should be just as good.

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I’ve raved enough about the first book and I’m trying to stay away from any spoilers for the second book, Catching Fire.

If an author has created a unique world with engaging characters—trilogies can be a great thing for the reader.