Two years ago I read The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey and fell passionately in love with it. So I should have picked up the sequel, The Curse of the Wendigo, when it first came out, right? But I didn't. I neglected this series. Like any avowed bibliophile, I played the field a little. Okay, a lot. There were so many tempting books throwing themselves at me. Ones with flashy covers, wearing Rolexes and driving fast cars. Perhaps some of them didn't have that much going on inside. But they were popular and so easy...I got them for free! Yet, for true love will not be forgot, The Monstrumologist remained in the back of my mind and once in awhile I'd remember it fondly, only to leave it on the back burner, sure that my old flame would be waiting when I wanted it again. Perhaps a dark portent of its fate, I bought The Curse of the Wendigo as an afterthought at a Borders closing sale.
Only when it seemed like it might be forever taken from me did I return, declaring my undying love. Earlier this year, I was shocked to learn that Simon and Schuster was pulling the plug on the series, right before the third book, Isle of Blood, was due to come out.
In a heroic outcome straight out of a fairy tale, a blogger more faithful than I immediately took action and campaigned tirelessly to rally support, resulting in the publisher reversing its decision. Thus, this series in distress was saved.
Break-up narrowly averted, what's our relationship like now? Well, let's just say - What the hell was I thinking, letting this beauty languish to chase after empty flings?! Having read The Curse of the Wendigo, which I think surpasses the first book (!), not an insubstantial feat, my initial feeling from two years ago has been re-affirmed. The Monstrumologist series is exciting, surprising, multi-layered, well-written, the best of its genre, and keeps my heart beating fast from beginning to end. If possible, I'm more in love than ever. Forgive me for having stayed away so long, baby. I swear to be committed from this day forward.
Is there a series you love so much that if the publisher were to announce its imminent execution, you would rally with your last breath to rescue it?
Are there any that you feel guilty about neglecting?
I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me. I read a lot of first in the series, Loved them intensely, but for some reason, can't get myself to pick up the rest of the series...
ReplyDeleteI think it's due to the fear that the following books won't met my expectations or that I'll be disappointed with a change in direction of the series.
I remember that campaign to save the Yancey books. It was brilliant, and I would totally do the same if one of my favs were on the line.
Thanks for such an entertaining post, Steph. Your had me cracking up over Rolexes and fancy cars.
I am glad it got that 2nd chance so book 3 could come out :) I would have been devastated otherwise, and yes the same thing happened to teh Succubi diaries
ReplyDeleteAh... you always end up hurting the one you love. You always think they are going to be there no matter what and you take advantage. Then, you find out they may not be there. They may have moved on to another reader (darn thieving relatives), out of print, or (heaven forbid) like you found out, not renewed. The tears flow, but then low and behold the stars shine, the light comes on in your eyes and you find that you really do love it. You come back into it's wordy embrace and flow back into love.
ReplyDeleteNope, haven't a clue what that is like. I've never abandoned a series I love... *cough* *hack* *nose grows*
The one book, though not part of a series, that I still can't believe I haven't bought yet is the new Daryl Gregory book. I love his writing so much that I'm ashamed of myself a bit.
ReplyDeleteNope. I'm not a series fan. Being the heartless reader I am, I abandon any and all series, even those scribed by my preferred authors, without guilt or second thought.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I'm reading The Monstrumologist right now and can already tell you I *will* be reading Curse of the Wendigo.
LOL! I've decided that next year I'm not joining any year long challenges so that I can catch up with all of my favorite series! I miss them. And there are several in the past few years that I've read the first book and wanted to continue and haven't found the time. Why isn't there an 8th day a week devoted to nothing but reading?
ReplyDeleteMissie – Do you think this lack of follow through affects us book bloggers more severely than most because we read and review so much?
ReplyDeleteBlodeuedd – Oh, no! Did the series get saved as well or no such luck?
Melissa (Books and Things) – “Wordy embrace” – oh, you are a poet!!!
Ryan – I still need to pick up Devil’s Alphabet AND the new one too!
VR – Goody! See you’re not as heartless as all that.
Stacy – I fully endorse an 8th day just for reading. Ah, that would be heaven.
OMG! I would DIE if Tor canceled the As the World Dies series before Siege comes out in April!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so bad about series-reading. I say I'll read all the books, but I only do sometimes, or I read the books many years later. So, I can't think of anything right now.
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this series though. I believe I have the first book.
First of all, I wonder why the publisher was going to discontinue this series when it appears to be so popular. Everyone I know that's read it can't stop gushing about it. So that's really odd.
ReplyDeleteSecond, that's amazing that this blogger really managed to influence the publisher to continue the series. It's really inspiring and I think that if I ever find that a series I love is being unexpectedly cut short I'll think of this blogger and make an effort to do the same.
With that said, I can't really think of any series that would have me respond in this way. Though any series that I've been attached to went on for much longer than just two books and eventually I lost interest.
That could be it, Steph!
ReplyDeleteThere are some books I don't feel like I need to read at all because I've read so many reviews for them that it feels like I've read the actual book.
Oh this seems to be going on a lot lately. I've had two series stop right before the final books. But the authors found ways to get the last book published, weither finally finding a publisher that would take them or self pubing. :) Glad to hear this one pulled through for the final book. Sounds like a great series too.
ReplyDeleteThere are way too many series that I've been neglecting. And yet, instead of completing them, I always seem to find ways to get sucked into new ones!! I think it stems from the fact that when I really love a series, as much as I want to devour it, in my heart I really don't want it to end so if I refrain from finishing it there will always be another entry to enjoy...
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I realize there is some twisted, messed-up logic in there but I've long since retired from trying to make sense of my strange reading habits.
Ashley – I doubt that series would be canceled, especially since you’re so vocal and enthusiastic in supporting it!
ReplyDeleteMedeia – Don’t wait one more minute! Stop depriving yourself of this amazing series!
Simcha – I don’t know what the publisher was thinking either. It’s such stellar writing that I can’t imagine there not being a solid market for it at all.
Missie – Oh, I know what you mean. One book that I know is awesome but since I’ve read so many reviews of it that I might not end up reading it at all is The Night Circus. Maybe someday.
Melissa (My World...in words and pages) – I’m not sure what are the legalities of another publisher finishing a series from a different house or even self-pubbing. It sounds like it’s possible.
Lisa :) – I know what you mean, twisted as it is!