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Serial fiction consists of books with similar themes, settings, or characters, often written by the same author. They can range from three to over 50 books per series and fall into categories for children, young adults, or genres such as fantasy, science fiction, or mystery. Some series maintain the same characters and settings, while others introduce new ones but maintain similar plot lines. Some can be read out of order, while others require reading in chronological order. Children’s serial fiction is an effective method of getting students to read, and young adult novels often feature supernatural characters. Many fantasy and science fiction novels are serial fiction, as well as historical fiction series.
Serial fiction is a set of books, usually written by the same author, that contain similar themes, settings, or characters in each new addition. Book series can range in length from three books to over 50 books per series. Most fiction series fall into categories for children or young adults, or genres such as fantasy, science fiction, or mystery.
While most book series are numbered, not all books are meant to be read in chronological order. Some series do not maintain the same characters or settings in every book, but will maintain similar plot lines and story characteristics. RL Stine’s horror series Fear Street and Goosebumps introduce new characters in each book, but the novels all contain similar scary themes and story structure.
Some fiction series will feature the same characters in each book while rarely referencing past stories or events. Mystery series like Nancy Drew or Box Car Children can be read and enjoyed out of order with no clutter, with only a few overlapping stories. These novels are often written with the assumption that the reader has no prior knowledge of the series, and the authors strive to reintroduce the main characters and setting in each new installment.
Many book series contain ongoing stories that are best understood when read from the beginning. While each book may have its own focus and story arc, an overarching story arc is also created for the entire series. Books like Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings were written with the expectation that the reader would read each book in the intended order.
However, not all book series will follow the chronological order at the time of publication. Some authors leap across their timeline, gradually revealing past and future events in the order they choose. CS Lewis uses this approach in The Chronicles of Narnia.
Books written for elementary school students are often organized into series. Popular examples include Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Adventures of Captain Underpants, and Pendragon. Children’s serial fiction is sometimes cited as an effective method of getting students to read. As children grow attached to their favorite characters, they will usually want to keep buying each new book to find out what happens next. Young adult novels are sometimes written as fiction series, especially when looking at teen books about supernatural characters such as witches, vampires, or fairies. High school drama novels like Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars also often fall into the category of fiction.
Although general adult fiction tends to produce more books in its own right, many fantasy and science fiction novels are serial fiction. Mystery series usually follow the same detective from book to book, but these books tend to keep each story arc within a novel. Historical fiction also features several book series; these series may swap main characters as the series continues, but the stories typically remain set in the same country and era.
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