Granted, it can definitely take some time for an author to find their groove. And if you’re settling in for a 10+ book series, 2-3 books is an acceptable cost. Though in those cases fans usually recommend starting at a later point and coming back once it’s grown on you.
The problem is that in today’s world there’s always more content out there and there’s usually something good to read that doesn’t take forever to get good. Why would I spend time reading 3 books I don’t like when I can drop the series and get into something I do like immediately?
If this was still the old days where my choices were more limited, then sure it might be worth the effort. But I have multiple lifetimes worth of entertaining content out there. I couldn’t run out even if I tried.
Well for instance, I like long epic series, and there aren’t that many of those around. So while there’s plenty of content, it doesn’t necessarily fit my interests. But yeah, I get what you mean.
This is how I felt with some book recommendations.
“It’s amazing!”
Ok, guess I’ll give the series that’s getting all the hype a shot… wtf this is garbage. When does it get good?
“Not till after book 3, but then it’s the best thing ever!”
… Nope. Not reading three trash books just to get to the good part.
Granted, it can definitely take some time for an author to find their groove. And if you’re settling in for a 10+ book series, 2-3 books is an acceptable cost. Though in those cases fans usually recommend starting at a later point and coming back once it’s grown on you.
The problem is that in today’s world there’s always more content out there and there’s usually something good to read that doesn’t take forever to get good. Why would I spend time reading 3 books I don’t like when I can drop the series and get into something I do like immediately?
If this was still the old days where my choices were more limited, then sure it might be worth the effort. But I have multiple lifetimes worth of entertaining content out there. I couldn’t run out even if I tried.
Well for instance, I like long epic series, and there aren’t that many of those around. So while there’s plenty of content, it doesn’t necessarily fit my interests. But yeah, I get what you mean.
You don’t hold your hand on a hot stove because it might get better later.
Stormlight Archive
It starts out amazing, and gets progressively better each book