Summary
Book trilogies often suffer from second-book syndrome, with the middle installment feeling like a slow and unnecessary bridge between the opening and conclusion — thoughthere are a few lucky trilogies where the second book is the best. Trilogies tend to struggle when it comes to balancing their stories, and when this happens, the middle typically suffers. This is why so manybook trilogies peak with the first installment, though some manage to make a comeback during the finale, even after a lackluster second novel.
Then there are the rare trilogies that successfully navigate their second books, using them to raise the stakes and move the story forward ahead of the final chapter. In some cases, the middle novel is even the best of the series, as endings don’t always stick the landing. It doesn’t happen often, but when a second book stands out like this, it becomes memorable — sometimes even more so than the other two installments.
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8The Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins (2008-2010)
Second Book: Catching Fire
The Hunger Gamestrilogyoffers the perfect example of a solid second book, as there’s no denying thatCatching Fireis the best of Suzanne Collins' original series.The Hunger GamesandMockingjayare both impressive in their own right, butCatching Firestands out for its character growth, world expansion, and thrilling twists.The Hunger Gamesis still finding its footing for most of the story, even if it does a great job of endearing readers to Katniss and Peeta and offering social commentary in the process. And whileMockingjaysticks the landing, its action doesn’t compare toCatching Fire’s.
The Hunger GamesandMockingjayare both impressive in their own right, butCatching Firestands out for its character growth, world expansion, and thrilling twists.
Catchiing FIresimultaneously raises the stakes and expands the world by introducing the third Quarter Quell, then forcing former tributes to participate in it. It also introduces an intriguing new cast of characters, from Finnick Odair to Johanna Mason. And althoughthe actual Hunger Games are more intense and memorable inCatching Fire,its ending is really what places it above the other two books. The final twists remain some of the best from the entire series, and they fully push Katniss and the other characters into rebellion, setting the stage perfectly forMockingjay.
7A Court Of Thorns & Roses By Sarah J. Maas (2015-2017)
Second Book: A Court Of Mist & Fury
A Court of Thorns & Rosesstarts as a trilogy, and of the first three installments inSarah J. Maas fantasy series,A Court of Mist & Furyis by far the best. ThefirstACOTARbookweaves a compelling narrative, but it doesn’t pull on the heartstrings nearly as much asACOMAF.It’s also difficult to return toACOTARafter reading the entire trilogy, as some of the characters and storylines no longer seem appealing. And of course, the stakes inA Court of Thorns & Rosesaren’t nearly as high as the later books.
More surprising is thatACOMAFis also better thanA Court of Wings & Ruin,which serves as the conclusion to the initial trilogy.ACOMAFraises the stakes and ends on a shocking cliffhanger, and it manages to tackle important subjects like PTSD over the course of its narrative. Unfortunately,ACOWARdoesn’t deliver on whatACOMAFbuilds towards. In fact, it makes the central conflict seem way too easy to overcome, and it hardly ever seems like there are genuine stakes. Needless to say,ACOMAFis the best of Maas' original books — and it surpasses the novella and spinoff too.
6Folk Of The Air Trilogy By Holly Black (2018-2019)
Second Book: The Wicked King
Holly Black’sFolk of the Airtrilogy is popular among YA readers, andThe Cruel Princeoffers an engrossing opening to this trilogy.The Cruel Princeintroduces Jude, who’s been taken to the High Court of Faerie and raised there, despite being a human. The first book does a good job of establishing the dynamics of this world, as well as Jude’s motivations. However,The Wicked Kingtakes the story beyond that, improving on the political intrigue, action, and romance of the previous book. It does everything a second book should — and it even manages to best the third installment.
The Queen of NothingandThe Wicked Kingare close in terms of quality, but the latter proves just a bit more gripping.
The Queen of NothingandThe Wicked Kingare close in terms of quality, but the latter proves just a bit more gripping. It might be becauseThe Queen of Nothingloses the intensity of the trilogy’s central romance, whichThe Wicked Kingdoes an excellent job of portraying.The Queen of Nothing’sending also feels a bit too tidy, and it comes off as disappointing. This makesThe Wicked Kinga stronger installment, especially with its exciting ending promising so much more thanThe Queen of Nothingdelivers.
5The Dark Artifices By Cassandra Clare (2016-2018)
Second Book: Lord Of Shadows
The Dark Artificesis one of several trilogies inCassandra Clare’sShadowhunter Chronicles,and it’s unique because its second book is the best of the bunch.The Infernal DevicesandMortal Instrumentsseries boast strong endings, andThe Last Hourspeaks with the first installment. However,Lord of Shadowsis the clear highlight ofThe Dark Artifices,even though all three novels are impressive.Lady Midnightfeels like setup, featuring a smaller conflict that leads into the trilogy’s greater story. And whileQueen of Air and Darknesshas many high points, it doesn’t reach the heights of book two.
Lord of Shadowsproves the sweet spot forThe Dark Artifices,fully digging into the trilogy’s overarching plot and driving home the stakes of the story.The second book’s ending is among the most tragic of all Clare’sShadowhunterbooks, and it packs an emotional punch that the other installments fail to. Additionally, the forbidden romance ofThe Dark Artificesis at its best in the second novel. By the time readers reachQueen of Air and Darkness,the central relationship no longer feels as tense, and that works against the finale.
4The First Law Trilogy By Joe Abercrombie (2006-2008)
Second Book: Before They Are Hanged
The entireFirst Lawtrilogy is worthy of praise, and it’s regarded as Joe Abercrombie’s best series — and by some readers, one of the best fantasy series of all time. But even though all three installments shine,it’s obvious thatBefore They Are Hangedis the highest point of the trilogy.The Blade Itselfdoes a solid job of introducing the complex cast of characters, but it feels like very little happens in the trilogy’s opening. There’s a lot of setup for future books, and readers may not see how the various storylines connect until later on.
It moves beyond the first book’s slow burn, but it doesn’t have the massive responsibility of trying everything together, likeThe Last Argument of Kings.
Before They Are Hangedhas the advantage of an established world and cast, soit’s able to do more thanThe Blade Itself.It moves beyond the first book’s slow burn, but it doesn’t have the massive responsibility of trying everything together, likeThe Last Argument of Kings.AndThe Last Argument of Kingsdoes a decent job in this regard. However, there are a few disappointing aspects of the final novel that makeBefore They Are Hangedthe strongest of Abercrombie’s trilogy.
3Red Rising Trilogy By Pierce Brown (2014-2016)
Second Book: Golden Son
Piece Brown’sRed Risingtrilogy is one of the most popular sci-fi dystopian stories out there, and it’s turned into a full-blown saga, which is still ongoing. Of the original trilogy,Golden Sonstands out as the most impressive installment. This is saying something, as all three books are truly spectacular — but the second is just a bit better thanRed RisingandMorning Star. Red Risinghas a much different story and vibe thanGolden Son,even if they tackle similar themes.Golden Son’s approach to power feels more mature and high-stakes thanRed Rising’s, if only by a little.
Golden Sonalso has better pacing thanRed Rising, likely because it doesn’t have to set up an entire story.It also manages to feel more put together thanMorning Star,which falters a bit towards the ending.Golden Soncomes out feeling like the most thoughtful and carefully crafted of the three books, proving that second books can be winners.
2The Broken Empire Trilogy By Mark Lawrence (2011-2013)
Second Book: King Of Thorns
The Broken Empiretrilogy by Mark Lawrence takes readers on a dark journey as its anti-hero claws his way to power, andJorg’s story peaks in the second book. The first installment,Prince of Thorns,struggles with the same issues as many other openings. It takes its time establishing the world and Jorg’s character, and Jorg isn’t very compelling until readers understand what drives him. Until then,Prince of Thornscan be difficult to get through — though it’s worth pushing through forKing of Thorns.Book two does a better job characterizing Jorg, and its story feels more fully formed.
Unfortunately,King of Thornsalso feels more put together thanEmperor of Thornsas well, despite the latter delivering a satisfying conclusion. While both installments are good,King of Thornsis just a bit more impressive.Emperor of Thornshas a somewhat divisive ending, and it requires readers to sit with it. It also leaves a few loose ends, which will undoubtedly lead to some disappointment. The second book is easier to love, if only because there’s more to come.
1The Farseer Trilogy By Robin Hobb (1995-1997)
Second Book: Royal Assassin
Robin Hobb’sFarseer Trilogyis considered a fantasy classic, and while all three books deserve their reputations,Royal Assassinstands out as the best.The Farseer Trilogytells the tale of Fitz, and it continues well beyond this series. But this trilogy sets the stage for the rest of theElderlingsbooks, and it does a compelling job of it.Assassin’s Apprenticeis a great start, but the later books surpass it. Again, the first book in any trilogy bears the burden of introducing characters and world-building elements that make it slower and more difficult to get into.
Royal Assassinproves more interesting, and whileAssassin’s Questexpands the world significantly, it doesn’t live up to the second book. Perhaps this is because Fitz’s decisions and journey are far more frustrating in book three. It doesn’t help that he spends so much time away from the beloved supporting cast. Things pick up towards the end of the third installment, butRoyal Assassin’sstory feels balanced all the way through. This makes it another superior second book in a trilogy, and it’s not the only second book from Hobb’s lineup to prove a winner.
