Many book series, especially trilogies, fall victim tosecond-book syndrome. The first book is excellent—it introduces a rich story with compelling characters and a riveting conflict. The third book is well done because everything comes to a head in one epic concluding conflict. However, the second installment is different. While it continues the conflict from the first book, it often stalls and prolongs the narrative in anticipation of the final act in the third book. Second books are not necessarily bad;they are just not as exciting as the first and third installments of a trilogy.
There are some rare exceptions wherethe second book is the best in the trilogy.Catching FirefromThe Hunger Gamesis one of the most famous examples in literature.TheStar Warstrilogiesare a cinematic example of where the second installment is often the best. However, most trilogies are not likeThe Hunger Games; not everyone can produce a compelling narrative likeCatching Fire. In fact,most trilogies suffer from second-book syndrome, regardless of whether the trilogy is notorious for having second-book syndrome or not.
8The Shadow & Bone Trilogy By Leigh Bardugo
Second Book: Siege & Storm (2013)
TheShadow & BoneTrilogy isLeigh Bardugo’s first book series, revolving around protagonist Alina Starkov, a war orphan who discovers she is the Sun Summoner, a figure with light powers destined to save Ravka. The first book ends when Alina and her best friend, Mal, escape the Darkling.Siege & Stormis the second installment, and it picks up shortly afterward.Siege & Stormsuffers from second-book syndrome because of what happens when Alina and Mal return to Os Alta, Ravka’s capital. Beforehand, the Darkling finds Alina and Mal, kidnaps them, and takes them out to sea.
[Alina and Mal’s] non-stop fighting exists to stall the inevitable conclusion toSiege & Stormwhen the Darkling storms Os Alta with his unnatural shadow creatures and successfully takes over Ravka.
That part ofSiege & Stormis exciting because the narrative introduces fan-favorite Nikolai Lantsov. However, it does not change that once Alina, Mal, Nikolai, and his crew arrive in Os Alta, the narrative begins to go in circles without progressing.Most of the book involves Alina and Mal fightingbecause Alina has a duty to Ravka as the Sun Summoner, while Mal grows bitter, unable to figure out his purpose. Their non-stop fighting exists to stall the inevitable conclusion toSiege & Stormwhen the Darkling storms Os Alta with his unnatural shadow creatures and successfully takes over Ravka.
7Divergent Trilogy By Veronica Roth
Second Book: Insurgent (2012)
TheDivergenttrilogy has one of the most notorious examples of second-book syndrome. The trilogy revolves around Tris Prior, who learns she is divergent—someone who does not fit perfectly into one of Chicago’s five factions.The first book,Divergent, follows Tris' journey as she joins a new faction, Dauntless, on the day of the Choosing Ceremony. As Tris trains to become a permanent member of Dauntless, her world slowly unravels as she learns about Erudite’s secret plans to stage a coup against Abnegation, the faction Tris grew up in, and the faction that leads Chicago.
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The second installment,Insurgent, suffers from second-book syndrome, mainly because so much occurs inDivergentthat it almost feels like there is no story left to tell.Insurgentprimarily deals with the aftermath of Erudite’s attack on Abnegation as Jeanine, the leader of Erudite, rises to power. Tris and her friends run around the entire time in an effort to stop Jeanine. However, the book acts as a setup for the final act rather than its own independent storyline.The final twist inInsurgentundoubtedly proves that the point of this book is to set up the last installment,Allegiant.
6The Broken Earth By N.K. Jemisin
Second Book: The Obelisk Gate (2016)
The Broken Earthtrilogy by N.K. Jemisin takes place thousands of years from now, when there is only one continent on Earth, the Stillness. The story revolves around Essun as she searches for her daughter, Nassun.The Obelisk Gatepicks up after Alabaster has revealed his responsibility for the current Fifth Season.The Obelisk Gatefeatures Alabaster training Essun to advance her orogeny, the practice of manipulating the earth.The second installment also features Nassun’s point of view for the first time, portraying her journey with her father, making their way to Found Moon, where they meet Schaffa.
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The Broken Earthis a stunning trilogy and one ofthe best fantasy book series, but even this story falls victim to second-book syndrome. Essun’s chapters exist to fill in more information about the Moon and orogeny.There is little plot progression until a neighboring comm, Rennanis, threatens the existence of Castrima. Nassun and Schaffa’s chapters have the most action, but even they are still somewhat slow in the beginning. Nevertheless,The Obelisk Gateis still an excellent book despite having second-book syndrome.
5Shades Of Magic By V.E. Schwab
Second Book: A Gathering Of Shadows (2016)
TheShades of Magictrilogy by V.E. Schwab features a world with four parallel universes—more specifically, four different Londons. Grey London has no magic, while Red London, where the protagonist, Kell, resides, has a healthy dose of magic. White London has become sick with dark magic, and Black London has already fallen to dark magic. Kell is secretly anAntari, a magician who can travel between the four Londons using blood magic.The first book,A Darker Shade of Magic, perfectly sets up this complex universewhile introducing compelling characters and conflicts.
Threads of Power #2
Threads of Power #3
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The second installment,A Gathering of Shadows, suffers from second-book syndrome.A Darker Shade of Magicends on a somewhat conclusive note, whileA Gathering of Shadowsends with a large cliffhanger as the world teeters on the edge of chaos. However, for most of the book,A Gathering of Shadowsseems just to buy time until the grand ending.The second installment focuses more on character development and dynamics, which is not awful, but considering thatA Gathering of Shadowsis 500 pages, it can get redundant without a thrilling plot.
4The Mortal Instruments By Cassandra Clare (The Shadowhunter Chronicles)
Second Book: City Of Ashes (2008)
AlthoughThe Mortal Instrumentsconsists of six books, it was initially a trilogy, with the final book beingCity of Glass. However, the series can be split into two trilogies.The first three books focus on Clary Fray, a 15-year-old girl suddenly thrust into a world of angels and demonsjust as her mother disappears.City of Bonesintroduces Clary to this new world as she races to find the Mortal Cup before Valentine, her father and the antagonist, does. The book ends with Valentine successfully retrieving the Mortal Cup and Clary and Jace discovering they are siblings.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
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In The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, teenager Clary Fray discovers she is a Shadowhunter, a human-angel hybrid destined to fight demons. She delves into an underworld of magic and danger when her mother is kidnapped. Teaming up with fellow Shadowhunters Jace, Alec, and Isabelle, Clary embarks on a quest to save her mother and uncover her own hidden past. Amidst battles with dark forces and a journey of self-discovery, Clary learns the true extent of her powers.
The second installment,City of Ashes,picks up from that point andprimarily deals with the aftermath of Clary and Jace’s shocking sibling revelation. The third book features the build-up to the final epic battle between Shadowhunters and Valentine, butCity of Ashesis a filler installment for Clary and Jace to adjust to their new circumstances. The only exciting part is when Simon Lewis, Clary’s best friend, turns into a vampire and the fallout from that ordeal. Otherwise,City of Ashesis an excellent example of second-book syndrome.
3A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder Trilogy By Holly Jackson
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murderby Holly Jackson is a young adult mystery trilogy featuring the protagonist Pippa Fitz-Amobi and her incredible detective skills. Each book contains its own mystery, and all three installments are dramatic, well-paced, and compelling. However,the second book inA Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,Good Girl, Bad Bloodhas a mild case of second-book syndrome because of the change in dynamics.One of the reasons why this trilogy is so compelling is because of Pippa Fitz Amobi’s dynamic with Ravi Singh, her love interest. They work best together when solving cases.
Pip and Ravi are partners in crime that have iconic playful banter, a foundation of friendship, and amazing chemistry. Their relationship adds to the mystery. However, inGood Girl, Bad Blood, Pippa’s primary investigation partner is Connor Reynolds because his older brother, Jamie, goes missing. While Pippa and Connor’s friendship is important,Connor often hinders Pippa’s investigation rather than contributing to it. It was not an issue at the beginning of the book, but as the narrative progressed, it began to slow down the narrative, turning it into second-book syndrome.
2Legacy of Orïsha By Tomi Adeyemi
Second Book: Children Of Virtue & Vengeance (2019)
Legacy of Orïshaby Tomi Adeyemi is a young adult high fantasy trilogy steeped in Western African mythology about a girl named Zélie, whose people are oppressed because they are maji, people who use magic. The first book,Children of Blood & Bone, is one of the best first books in a trilogy. The characters are compelling, the action is non-stop, and the dynamics are complex. Each chapter introduces new stakes and plot twists to keep this exciting narrative going. However, the second book,Children of Virtue & Vengeance, is a major disappointment.
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Children of Virtue & Vengeanceis a merry-go-round between Zélie, Amarì, and Inan.Nothing of substance occurs until the very end. Zélie leads the maji, while Amarì tries to unite the people of Orïsha, failing every time. Inan rots with guilt in the palace, having chosen the side of the oppressors.Children of Virtue & Vengeancecould easily be condensed into the first and last few chapters, and not much would change. The second-book syndrome might have even contributed to the five-year wait forthe final installment,Children of Anguish & Anarchy.
1The Winner’s Trilogy By Marie Rutkoski
Second Book: The Winner’s Crime (2015)
The Winner’s Trilogyby Marie Rutkowski isa book series that blends fantasy and romanceabout upper-class Kestrel unexpectedly falling in love with a slave she purchases, Arin, which turns her world upside down and opens her eyes to the oppression that Arin’s people, the Herrani, face at the hands of the Valorians. The second installment,The Winner’s Crime, fits second-book syndrome because it is an interlude between the first and last book.The Winner’s Curse, the first book, features Kestrel and Arin falling in love.
There is currently no news of an adaptation forThe Winner’s Trilogy, despite the series' popularity.
The third book,The Winner’s Kiss, features Kestrel in prison after losing everything while Valoria invades Arin’s home and the world prepares for war. Kestrel must find her way home, despite not even knowing who she is. However,The Winner’s Crimeexists to brew additional tension between Valoria and Herranwhile Kestrel is a spy on Herran’s behalf.The Winner’s Crimeheavily focuses on Kestrel and Arin’s pining, even though they cannot be together. WhileThe Winner’s Crimeis still enticing, it is not a match for the trilogy’s first and third installments, which are riveting from beginning to end.
