Wednesday, October 5, 2011
The Iron King = Iron Fey 1
The Iron Daughter = Iron Fey 2
The Iron Queen = Iron Fey 3
Summer's Crossing = Iron Fey ... 3.5?
There's something funny about that list, and I don't just mean the word "iron," which starts to look a little weird when you use it seven times in a row. No, I'm talking about that .5. Where on earth did that come from?
(Don't worry, I'll tell you!)
It came from a new trend. Many authors are now writing novellas, which are then being released as ebooks, which are meant to get you interested in a new series (like The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross) or else to tide you over until the next book in a series comes out (like Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa).
(Note: If you have an ereader, or don't mind reading on the computer, you too can pick up these freebies!)
Personally I think these ebook novellas are a great idea. I love getting a taste of the characters, their world, and the author's writing style. In the (strange) case of Finley Jayne (Steampunk Chronicles 0.5), for example, it got me interested in a series I might otherwise not have picked up. "Steampunk" itself isn't a big draw for me, but I really enjoyed Finley's dual personality -- like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde -- combined with her humor and courage.
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (Twilight 3.5) was a little different. Stephenie Meyer had written that material for herself, then decided to release it later as a fundraiser and a fan treat. It came after all the Twilight books were already out -- like a popsicle after a big summer picnic. Even though it wasn't directly about Bella or the Cullens, I definitely enjoyed seeing more of the story that I already knew and loved.
And then there's Summer's Crossing, which I downloaded but haven't read yet (because I haven't read Iron Fey 1-3, so I can't start with 3.5!). Like Meyer did in Bree Tanner, Julie Kagawa uses a different narrator from the rest of the series to show fans a new side to the story and the world. From what I've heard, he's a popular character, and readers were happy to get inside his head.
What about y'all? Do you like these ebook extras? Do you bother to read them, or are they like the special features on a DVD that you never watch? Are there any others besides the three I've listed here that you enjoyed or are looking forward to? If you could pick any series to have the author write a bonus novella, which would it be?
KH
The Iron Daughter = Iron Fey 2
The Iron Queen = Iron Fey 3
Summer's Crossing = Iron Fey ... 3.5?
There's something funny about that list, and I don't just mean the word "iron," which starts to look a little weird when you use it seven times in a row. No, I'm talking about that .5. Where on earth did that come from?
(Don't worry, I'll tell you!)
It came from a new trend. Many authors are now writing novellas, which are then being released as ebooks, which are meant to get you interested in a new series (like The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross) or else to tide you over until the next book in a series comes out (like Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa).
(Note: If you have an ereader, or don't mind reading on the computer, you too can pick up these freebies!)
Personally I think these ebook novellas are a great idea. I love getting a taste of the characters, their world, and the author's writing style. In the (strange) case of Finley Jayne (Steampunk Chronicles 0.5), for example, it got me interested in a series I might otherwise not have picked up. "Steampunk" itself isn't a big draw for me, but I really enjoyed Finley's dual personality -- like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde -- combined with her humor and courage.
The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (Twilight 3.5) was a little different. Stephenie Meyer had written that material for herself, then decided to release it later as a fundraiser and a fan treat. It came after all the Twilight books were already out -- like a popsicle after a big summer picnic. Even though it wasn't directly about Bella or the Cullens, I definitely enjoyed seeing more of the story that I already knew and loved.
And then there's Summer's Crossing, which I downloaded but haven't read yet (because I haven't read Iron Fey 1-3, so I can't start with 3.5!). Like Meyer did in Bree Tanner, Julie Kagawa uses a different narrator from the rest of the series to show fans a new side to the story and the world. From what I've heard, he's a popular character, and readers were happy to get inside his head.
What about y'all? Do you like these ebook extras? Do you bother to read them, or are they like the special features on a DVD that you never watch? Are there any others besides the three I've listed here that you enjoyed or are looking forward to? If you could pick any series to have the author write a bonus novella, which would it be?
KH
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
about us
Stephanie, Ingrid, Sarah & Kristan — we read, write, discuss and celebrate Young Adult lit.
on the shelf
ya diversity book club
have a heart
8 comments:
Yeah, I wouldn't mind having a read of SUMMER'S CROSSING since I've read the rest of the series. You know, I LOVE extras. I devoured BREE TANNER even though it wasn't completely developed.
I'd love to see some DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE outtakes or something from Brimstone's point of view. He is cool daddio.
How about a taste of THE HUNGER GAMES from Gale's perspective? Gale was more mysterious to me than Peeta, and I would love a deeper peek inside his head.
I have read both Winter's Passage and Summer's Crossing. I liked having a little something to tide me over until the next book came out. Since I had already read the other books the novellas fit with the rest of the series. What I don't really like is when a novella comes out and introduces new characters but isn't long enough to actually hive me much insight into the character. I guess I would say I'm mixed about novellas.
I love them heaps, even if I haven't read too many. My favorite so far has been for Summer's Crossing. I really liked Puck as a character before that, but after reading it I *loved* Puck. No one could tell his own perspective better than himself and it was incredibly interesting to see them work and react in ways that Megan couldn't have interpreted.
A tangent, I know, but I think I need to re-read it before I go ahead and start The Iron Knight. (Yesssss!)
I'm indecisive, so I'm going to name a few. I'd like to see parts of Mara Dyer from Noah's perspective, Cricket's from Lola (!!!!), and Peeta in bits of the HG trilogy. For starters.
I think the extra books are really cool :) I haven't read ANY of these, but I have Summer's Crossing (and Winter's Passage!).
Great Post!
@Sarah-
It's a freebie! You can borrow my Kindle? Or read on your computer.
ZOMG I WANT ANYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE. Brimstone's POV would be amazing.
@Ingrid-
Yeah, and Gale could help fill in pieces from when Katniss was in the arena.
@Nicole-
Hm, I think that's a really good point.
@kaye-
I can only *guess* that I would like to read from Cricket's POV, since I'm not as lucky as SOME PEOPLE {pointed stare at kaye} to have gotten to read it already. ;P
@iLuvReadingTooMuch-
That makes 2 of us!
I usually like novellas but I've only read Bree Tanner from the list above. Some of my favourites are Stopping Time, which takes place somewhere after INK But before RS by Melissa Marr and the Soul Screamers novellas (especially Reaper which is in Tod's perspective.) They tell a new story about characters we all love and serve as a kind of treat- especially when they're free!
@P.E.-
Thanks for recommending some new titles for us! And yeah, haha, free is always a treat. ;)
Post a Comment