In February of 2016 I started a quest to complete all of the series that I had begun (slay that series,) but had yet to finish. I knew I wouldn’t get it all read in that year, so let’s check in to see where I’m at now…
Of the 18 series I listed last year, I completed 9 – so half way. Not bad. I probably would have read more, but kept getting distracted by new releases. Plus, I tend to not enjoy marathoning books so much, I like variety. Also if you read many series end to end, some details start to feel repetitive as the author usually has to re-introduce you to the world, or summarise the story so far with each instalment of the collection.
But my TBR for slaying that series has also grown. Books which I thought were standalones have turned into many more. And sometimes I could not resist picking up another novel which is a start of another collection… glutton for punishment anyone?
Now my new ‘slay that series’ tally stands at 19. How sad to feel I’ve made no progress staring at that number. But going back I have completed 11 series that weren’t included in this read-a-thon I’d set myself over the year.
So here’s where I’m at (in no particular order):
The Lunar Chronicles:
I kind of stalled with this series, I don’t mind fairytale re-tellings or science fiction, I think after a break away I’ll polish them off in quick succession.
Shadowhunter Universe:
It’s like when your at a candy store and there’s so many yummy choices that you end up catatonic. Must. Read. So. Good. I really want to marathon the rest of this series, and I know there will be more to add to my collection, but I’m not letting myself buy any more Shadowhunter goodness until I read the rest of these.
Darkest Minds Trilogy (and Novellas):
Again, another crowd favourite that failed to impress me. An average sort of read, though I’ve only read the first novel, there is plenty left in the series to blow my britches – fingers crossed! Plus with a screen adaptation on it’s way I want to finish off this trilogy before viewing.
The Caster Chronicles:
I absolutely adored the debut novel, but held off after reading bad reviews for the subsequent installments, but I’m getting that itch again. Maybe I should stop looking novels up on Goodreads and just enjoy the experience as I turn the page – let the words cast their own spell on me… (see what I did there?) Plus there hasn’t been a witchy read in by reading list for years.
Unwind Dystology:
Teens for spare body parts – love it! We were just on the verge of rebellion in the first novel, so I really want to get back into this series. I don’t even remember why I stopped.
Lux Universe:
Ahh, hot glowy aliens… need I say more? A guilty pleasure with angst, heavy petting, and high school. With two more books just added to my collection I need to get on to it! There are lots of other Jennifer L. Armentrout series waiting for me to sink my teeth into next.
Translucent series:
A new series I recently got into. Easy, fast sci-fi reads. Invisibility and dark matter. Not the best written series, but a great way to spend an afternoon. I can’t wait to see what Dan Rix will do with these girls… but the final book was published in e-book form over a year ago and I’m still waiting for it to be released in paperback form to complete my collection – so frustrating! Get a move on Mr Rix!!
Deathworks Series:
A Grim Reaper. A multi-national company of Grim Reapers! And it’s set right here in Brisbane, Australia! Such a great seires by some local talent, took me ages to track down the rest of Trent Jamieson’s books, but now I have them in my hot little hands.. mwah ha ha! (that was my maniacal laugh btw.)
Under The Never Sky Trilogy:
While I haven’t been all that impressed with this trilogy, there is only one novel left – and it’s typically the best one. Looking forward to putting this series behind me.
Fetch Series:
The second of this series is yet to be released, but I had fun reading about this dystopian world. Not sure if it will remain a duology, or continue expanding, but its fun light reading. And dystopians always remind me of my highschool days for some reason 
Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children Collection:
Heard lots of great things. I was so-so on the first book, but love the mythology. Really keen to see where Ransom Riggs will take as.
The Lady Janies Trilogy:
Scarcasm and hilarity in this historical fiction fancy. Can’t wait to see what they do with other Jane’s from the past. Eagerly waiting for the relese dates to complete the trilogy.
Elemental Series:
Picked up the first book on a whim and sped through it. Along the lines of Jennifer L. Armentroug’s Lux series. A guilty pleasure paranormal romance full of tropes and hot boys. Nice to break up the more heavier reading content.
Red Rising Trilogy:
Struggling with the writing style of this series, but with only one book to go am determined to finish. Then I’ll decide whether I want to attack Pierce Browns new Iron Gold trilogy in the Red Rising Universe set to start releasing in 2018.
Between the Lines Duology:
An interesting contemporary, and am curious to see where the story does in the last part of the duology. Fictional characters coming to life – yes please!
Red Queen Collection:
I’m having a love/hate relationship with this series, sometimes I am raving about it, sometimes a bit meh! But just have to wait for one more release in 2018 and we can call it quits. Plus I’d like to see what Victoria Aveyard will write after this series.
A Court of Thorns and Roses Trilogy:
Really enjoyed the first book, the second I struggled with a bit, but am expecting an explosive thrid installment in true Sarah J Mass Style. I thought it was only going to be a tirlogy, but in the end pages of A Court of Wings and Ruin we are teased with a new realease in 2018 – WTF!
No Ordinary Star Trilogy:
Wonderful premise, but this is a trilogy that I’d rather poke my eyes out than read, but my OCD won’t let me just drop it – lucky they are short novellas… let’s hope M.C. Frank can turn my opinion around.
Zeroes Trilogy:
Such a fun gritty series and incredibly well written to boot. I have the second book ready to go and the third preordered to satisfy my Zeroes lust.
Sidekick Squad:
A new series that has captued my imagination – funny, witty and just enough sass! Not sure how many novels will be released in this seires, but eagerly waiting for ‘Not Your Villain’ out in October this year.
The Illuminae Files:
Hurry up May 2018! Have been having a blast reading this series and hope it continues with its masterful tragectory. Who hopes this is more than a trilogy too?
Children of Eden:
‘Children of Eden’ was a bit of a surpise for me, and I got toatally invested in the story. Let’s see if Joey Graceffa can keep it going with the next book due for release in October this year.
Warm Bodies:
Two short stories and a trilogy from our all-around favourite zombie, R. Love Isaac Marion’s writing and eager to complete this collection and find out how the world recovers from a zombie apocalypse. Hopefully all the books will be released by the end of 2017.
Tales From Foster High:
Something about the topical writing with gay main characters struggling through high school (and much adversity) has wormed its way into my heart. I think I’m committed to see this series through to the end – another one of my guilty pleasures. It’s like finding out what happens after the fairy-tale ends…
The Girl With All The Gifts:
Upon first reading ‘The Girl With All The Gifts’ I didn’t totally love this series – but it grew on me, and am excited to see what new discoveries about the zombie-like world can be made in the sequel…
That leaves 66 books left to read to finish off all the series listed here – so it’s definitely going to take me longer than a year to read them all – especially given I like to sprinkle in stand-alones, new releases, and am making my way through Stephen King, Dean Koontz and Clive Cussler’s back catalogue. Plus some of the titles above have not been released yet, or not confirmed as complete, so this list will continue to evolve and change… but hey, I’m not adverse to adding more books to my TBR. It keeps me excited.
What series are you determined to finish of this year? Got any opinions on any of the books listed above? Your works might just push a book to the top of the pile…
In the meantime – happy reading 🙂
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Casey Carlisle 
Wow! So many series! It’s so hard not to get into new ones before you finish others!! I’ve had the Unwind series on my shelf for SO long and I’ve heard nothing but great things. And My Lady Jane is close to the top of my TBR as well! I think my most anticipated on that list is Obsidio! So excited to finish that series!
Great progress!
Just. Got. To. Keep. Reading. Just. One. More. Book.
That’s a hefty list. I’d like to get through The Raven Cycle, I’d like to finish a reread of Harry Potter and a reread of His Dark Materials. At some point I’d like to catch up on the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And I’m sure there’s other series I can’t think of right now.
I’ve got both the Raven Cycle and the Harry Potter series waiting to be read too – but only once I’ve whittled down the list of collections I’m in the middle of…. too many books, so little time!
I read The Raven Boys and tried to immediately start The Dream Thieves and I couldn’t get into it. I think trying to binge read the series just didn’t work for me. And I realized that I’ve only read Deathly Hallows once (literally the day it was released), so a Harry Potter reread is a must.
I may have to use this to find a new series to start! You have a nice mix of some of my favorites and others that I’ve never heard of. It’s kind of amazing that you keep reading a series even when the first book doesn’t win you over. If I were you, I’d hang back on finishing Miss Peregrine since the books decline as the series goes on. The Mortal Instruments just keeps getting better, in my opinion, though (especially if you like the secondary characters, who get to come to the forefront a little more in the final three books). And I just finished Unwholly, which is absolutely on par with Unwind. Thanks for the suggestions.