kgbooklog

(I've complained about this before, but it's something I'm still bitter about.)

I like complex stories about well-drawn characters dealing with the consequences of their actions, and so I prefer series of thick books; short fiction just isn't long enough to satisfy me. I will seek out shorter works that are part of a series I like, but even if I enjoy the story, I'll still wish it was part of a novel rather than a separate story.

And lately I've noticed authors going out of their way to add shorter works to existing series, especially in urban fantasy. I'm not going to read any more books by MaryJanice Davidson, since she has already done it at least twice (introducing new characters to the series both times). What worries me is that of the 10 authors currently writing contemporary fantasy series that I like, only two (Laura Resnick and Kat Richardson) haven't yet added any shorter works.

Why are they doing this? Sure, this may help sales of the anthologies, but if those sales are poor, it's probably because of people like me who prefer novels, and punishing us for that is more likely to cause us to stop buying the novels too.

Sarah Monette, The Mirador
Ace (2007) ISBN: 978-0-441-01500-9
Score: 2

Third book of the unnamed series that started with Melusine, and this time nearly the whole book actually occurs inside that city. In fact, most of the book takes place inside the heads of the three POV characters (this book adds Mehitabel) as they struggle with their pride, guilt, and relationships. The ending had less closure than the second book, but more than the first, and one plot thread was tied up rather abruptly in order to set up the next book.

Next Book: Katie MacAlister, You Slay Me