Top Ten Best Sequels

I am a series girl. Not that I can’t appreciate good standalone books but if I really love a book it’s hard for me not to want more. The problem is that not all sequels are created equally. I’m said to say there have just been too many times where I read the second book in a series only to think, well I’m glad I got more of those characters and that world but it just felt like a filler. Like a bit of space before the end of the story. Do you know what I mean? So when I read a sequel that stands out to be as good or even better than the 1st awesome book I remember it. Here are my Top Ten Best Sequels. Each of of these were fantastic on their own. While they build on the story that was established in the first book they give more of what I loved in book one plus added making them stand on their own in awesomeness.

The Crown of Embers – Girl of Fire and Thorns series by Rae Carson – When I read the second book I thought now this is what a series should be! The final book is out and they are ALL fantastic. Great fantasy, strong unique characters, romance.
Siege and Storm – The Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo – I’ve never read books like these before. Crazy adventure, a whole new world, one of the best villains ever, and a story that goes in all kinds of great and unpredictable directions. Fantasy and adventure at it’s best.
Scarlet – Luna Chronicles by Marissa Meyer – When I learned that Scarlet would focus on Scarlet and not Cinder who I had grown to love I was nervous. But each book focuses on a different character and fairy tale retelling but you still get enough of what you loved in book one plus more new greatness. I love the spins on these classic tales. Great Sci-fi meets fairy tale.
Ender’s Shadow – Shadow Series by Orson Scott Card – So after Ender’s Game came the rest of the Ender’s books which aren’t my favorite but then the spin-off that also builds on Ender’s Game starts a series that I absolutely love. Ender’s Shadow follows the same timeframe as Ender’s Game but it is told through Beans perspective and it is AWWWWWESSSSSSOOOOMMMEE.
Fire – Graceling series by Kristin Cashore – These books all happen in the same world but at different time frames and they focus on different characters. They are some of my favorite books and book 2 Fire is my favorite out of all of them although all 3 are great.
Where She Went – If I Stay by Gale Foreman – These contemporary books deal with tough things but they are beautiful all the same. The second book is SO different than the first book but it was just as great if not better.
Dark Triumph – His Fair Assassins by Robin LaFevers – This was another that made me nervous when I learned that book two was not focused on the same main character and love interest but I was pleasantly surprised. The richness of mature (read healthy not sex) romance, adventure, and awesomeness in both books blew me away. I hope this series never ends.
Clockwork Prince – Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare – While I wasn’t over the moon about book one book two completely stole my heart and then book 3 (Clockwork Princess) had me speechless and overwhelmed with happiness. The character development was just fantastic. Yes I love the shadowhunter world, the fighting the paranormal fun, and romance, but the friendships and characters are really what get me about this sequel and finale.
It’s Not Summer Without You – Summer books by Jenny Han – Book two is my absolute favorite in this contemporary series. I loved watching the development of Belly over the years through all three books but I just adored book 2. While it’s a great beachy read there are so many levels of relationships (family, friends and romance that really pulled me in).
Frostbite – Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead – I mentioned before how book one of the series is kinda weak but Frostbite jumps right into things and it’s why so many of us absolutely rave about about the Vampire Academy series.