I was reading a review on Amazon.com for a book (more on Amazon failings in some later post), when I came across two lines that perfectly describe a large number of the second rate novels being published:
“Recent Plot Chunk of On-Going Fantasy Story #62” and “Loud Explosion Clumsy Info Dump Space Adventure #23”
The unfortunate thing really is how many books that I’ve read seem to fall into one of these two categories. Yet more are sitting on the shelves, virtual or otherwise, awaiting the unwary reader.
The modern publishing industry, at least in the SF category, seems to delight in offering enormously length series of books, often without any end in sight. The Wheel of Time series seems to offer up an extremely large and very heavy new volume each each year. Which may be great if the series is worthwhile, but is it? I don’t know. I’ve decided not to consider reading it until the last book is published in case the author gets hit by a car or decides to stop writing it (as has happened to one series that I really liked).
I have no idea whether the wheel of Time series is good or bad, I suspect that it probably better than average, because people continue to buy the books. But perhaps the publishing industry should move towards new ideas instead of ever lengthening series?
However despite that, there are several excellent series on my bookshelf that I would be very pleased to see more of, so perhaps it depends on the readers.