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from the desk etc.

Posted on by Marko

It has only been out for two weeks today, but LINES OF DEPARTURE has over a hundred Amazon reviews already, which is pretty cool. There are some head-scratcher one-stars, but in general it seems to be rather well received, and reader consensus appears to be that it’s better than the first novel by a fair bit.

I’m currently hard at work on ANGLES OF ATTACK, and without dropping any spoilers, I can tell you that the fireworks in the first two were just a mild preview of the stuff I have laid out for you in this one. When it’s out, it will hopefully be received at least as well as the first two.

There are quite a few series that lost steam by the third or fifth or seventh novel and eventually read like the author was just phoning it in for the paychecks. I want to avoid that particular phenomenon. What are some of your favorite novel series where there was a steady progression of craft and quality evident as the series went along?

 

Category: books., writing.

30 thoughts on “from the desk etc.”

  1. I’ve enjoyed reading the “Sten” series by Chris Bunch and Allan Cole. Also, the “Bounty” series by William C. Dietz.

  2. I’ll throw in another enthusiastic vote for Bujold’s Vorkosigan series. At this point, I’ll read a telephone book if she writes it.

    I’ll also recommend S.M. Stirling’s The General series, written from an outline by David Drake – The Forge, The Hammer, The Anvil, The Steel and The Sword. It’s been re-released twice as a two-volume set.

    I really want to read the Sharpe’s Rifles series.

  3. I thought F. Paul Wilson put together a really strong series streak with the Repairman Jack series. The progression of story line is strong, and the weaving in of threads from different books (that are not even a part of the Jack series) is very deft. The concepts in the “Secret History of the World” are original. The libertarian themes are strong but not preachy (like you see with L. Neil Smith). Wilson’s LaNague Federation series is very enjoyable and worth the read, but lacks the flow of the Jack series. j

  4. Another good military series is Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe books. They hold up very well and never lose the plot. Griffin’s Corps series is as mentioned, a very good read.

    The word on Weber is that he meant to kill off Honor in At All Costs, but he was convinced otherwise by his publishers, which is why he has lost the thread in the latter books.

  5. The Legacy of the Aldenata series by John Ringo is pretty darn good.

    John Scalzi’s “Old Man’s War” series was excellent and inventive until “Zoe’s Tale”, which was only pretty good.

    The Honorverse series is getting really looooooonnnng, with not enough action per book anymore. By the way, I happen to LIKE women who may be smarter than me and might be able to take me 1-on-1.

    Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan saga is awesome, and not just because she’s signed a couple of them for me.

    Jack Campbell’s “Lost Fleet” series doesn’t get enough credit. I think it is stellar.

    The “Starfist” series from Sherman/Cragg is excellent.

    And last – but certainly not least – I’ve now read/re-read the Empire of Man series (Weber/Ringo) six times. I know exactly what’s going to happen, and I still can’t put them down.

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