I often find myself trying to find ways to pass time quicker, and one of those ways is reading a book, or more likely a book series. Many books are now gaining sequels, and I say the more books to read the better! While sequels do enough to satisfy the fans of the series, some go above and beyond and help push the envelope for the book series, and perhaps even the genre itself. The few listed are my personal favorite books that are not the first in their series.
1. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
My opinion on this novel seems to be one that is not as favored, with the first novel "The Hunger Games" usually being the more favorited of the trilogy. Despite this, I find that "Catching Fire" is my favorite of the series, and establishes the world of Panem as well as raises the stakes to a level that was not seen in its predecessor. "Catching Fire" opens up the world better, showing off the differences of the Districts found in the series and between the Capitol and the rest of the country’s citizens. Not only did the novel give us another thrilling "Hunger Games", it showed us what the life of a Hunger Games Victor is truly like, which is not one of riches and freedom. Though many of this was alluded to, or even blatantly present in the first novel, I find "Catching Fire" to be the better novel of the young adult trilogy.
2. Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
Completely ignoring the movie and its sequel, this book series is one of the best that I have ever read. While I enjoy each one, my favorite in the series has to be the second novel "The Sea of Monsters". The sequel opens with Percy Jackson’s Satyr friend, Grover being kidnapped by the cyclops protecting the Golden Fleece, from the Greek mythos. Percy then must save the Camp Half-Blood from destruction by finding the Golden Fleece, and more surprises are found out along the way. What I say gives this sequel no credit, but I will urge you to read it soon.
3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
I could not keep the Harry Potter series off this list it seems. The very much acclaimed book series has helped shape many young readers’ lives, and my life is one of them. "The Goblet of Fire" is the fourth novel in the series, and my favorite, of course. This is the novel we discover two new wizarding schools, fight for house elf rights, and witness the return of Voldemort. The book is full of a lot of magical substance, and I recommend a read-through of this novel. Or a rereading of it.
4. Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor
This is the second novel in the "Looking Glass Wars" trilogy. The series is a retelling of the story of "Alice in Wonderland". "Seeing Redd" is my personal favorite, again, in this lesser known trilogy, and a wonderful retelling of the classic Lewis Carroll characters. Wonderland takes a dive into the fantastica land sci-fi, and explores a radical a warring outlook on the classic characters. Alice, or Alyss in this retelling, is the rightful ruler of Wonderland, and must go through a Civil War with her Aunt Redd, the Red Queen, to win keep the throne after winning it in the first novel. This series is an interesting take on "Alice in Wonderland", and "Seeing Redd" is as good as a stand-alone novel, as well as part of its trilogy.
