"You didn't think this was the end of the story, did you?"--Books that need sequels

Top 10 Most-Wished-For Sequels

I just bought a long-awaited sequel today, I have another one on order, and I literally squealed with excitement when this one was announced! (And if this one ever becomes a reality, I will be so, SO overjoyed). Ooh, and I almost forgot about this upcoming one!

Clearly, I enjoy a good sequel, so let's ignore the 20 or so books in my to-be-read pile and the 10 in my I've-read-but-still-need-to-review pile and talk about the books that need sequels. Sometimes, I am just so in love with the characters, universe, and/or plot that I need MORE.

I need to know what happens next for these beloved people whose lives I've shared through the pages of their stories. I would camp outside of a bookstore to buy these sequels, like us older people had to do for concert tickets in the pre-Internet dark ages.

In fact, most of these books had me have immediately visiting Archive of Our Own to see if there are any fanfictions about these books, and if there are, I will link to the pages.

Uma said it best.



In alphabetical order, here are my top 10 most-wished-for sequels:

The Songbird's Refrain--"The future is not linear, my little songbird" OR "I'm a bluebird that's been dreaming"

Title: The Songbird's Refrain (pre-order the book for its release September 3!)

Author: Jillian Maria


LGBTQ+ Representation: Lesbians. More than one.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Elizabeth finds a flyer advertising a one-of-a-kind show appearing nearby. When she attends the show, she is fascinated by one of the acts: a woman, covered in feathers, with the same mysterious blue eyes that were on the flyer--trapped in a cage. When the woman dies, Elizabeth finds herself trapped in the cage, growing feathers, forced to sing nightly. Can she escape the power of the sadistic witch, the Mistress, who has trapped her?


What I think (in 250 words or fewer): I spent the first half of this book singing "I'm a Bluebird" from Follow that Bird. Remember? Big Bird is trapped in a cage and forced to sing by these two evil guys who kidnap him for the freakshow part of their fair, and why are there so many twins in that audience? I couldn't stop picturing poor Elizabeth as Big Bird.

It's safe to say that all resemblances to Sesame Street end there.

Black Wings Beating--"Birds of prey killed to eat, but only humans could choose to kill"

Title: Black Wings Beating (Skybound Saga Series #1)

Author: Alex London


LGBTQ+ Representation: One of the main characters is gay, as is at least one supporting character.


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Kylee can speak the ancient Hollow Tongue but wants nothing to do with falconry, the sport that's brought death, debt, and misery to her family. Brysen, to save the boy he loves, seeks the Ghost Eagle, a famed predator that has never been captured. To complete the quest, Kylee and Brysen climb the mountains, which are full of power-hungry tribes of people who do not hesitate to murder those who get in their way.


What I think:

EMCEE (off-camera): Welcome Theydies and Gentlethems to today's episode of Jen Reads the Rainbow--The Game Show version!

[Upbeat theme music plays; audience applauds uproariously]

EMCEE: Featuring Alex London's Black Wings Beating!


[Audience applauds as JEN makes entrance]

JEN: Thank you, thank you everyone! I'm thrilled to be here tonight. I just finished the book Black Wings Beating and y'all . . . I really enjoyed it!

[Applause and cheering]


JEN: However--there is ONE part of the book that I dislike.

Tattoo Atlas--"Nice is different than good" OR "All of us have some crazy in us, don't we?"

Title: Tattoo Atlas

Author:  Tim Floreen


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Last year, Franklin brought a gun to school and killed Rem's friend, Pete. Now Franklin is the subject of an experiment (run by Rem's mother) to see out if sociopaths can be "cured" by implanting a device that activates the "empathy" parts of their brains. The procedure seems to work on Franklin, and he and Rem almost become (more than) friends, but when another classmate is killed, Rem wonders if Franklin is fooling everyone.


What I think: Tattoo Atlas is a frustrating, suspenseful, horrifying, and thought-provoking book that I could not put down, even when one of my kids asked me why I was "looking at the book with such a scared face."  I tried to take breaks and go back to reading the other books I am in the middle of, but I couldn't. I had to know what was going to happen to Rem, Franklin, and their other classmates, but at the same time was scared to find out what was going to happen.

A Line in the Dark--"The teacher was just a red herring!"

Title: A Line in the Dark

Author: Malinda Lo (I am doing an in-depth author study on Malinda Lo as a final paper for a class, and this is the second of the  five fiction novels I am planning to review)


What it’s about (in 75 words or fewer): Jess has a crush on her best friend, Angie.  When Angie meets Margot, a girl from an exclusive private boarding school, she falls in love, which makes Jess jealous and also suspicious of Margot's motives. Jess and Angie are swept up in the drama of the girls from the private school, and things are about to turn deadly.


What I think (in 250 words or fewer--yeah right. Once again, I couldn't stay within my word limit.  Also, some spoilers.):  

Holy cow.  I made the mistake of starting this book while sitting in a nice bubble bath--only to get trapped in the bathtub (TIBT) because I couldn't put it down.  This book is a wild ride from start to finish; and I, who pride myself on being able to figure out mysteries before the end of books (and metaphorically pat myself on the back when I find out that I'm right), was surprised several times.