When you read a sequel or the next book in a series and it’s based on a new set characters how much do you want to see of the pairing from the previous story?
That is, are you a reader who is all hi-so-nice-to-see-again-glad-you-are-still-together-and-aren’t-you-both-adorable-now-fuck-off-already-this-isn’t-your-book? Or are you a 5-out-of-8-chapters-of-the-old-couple-having-sex-seems-fabulous-to-me-and-hopefully-they-will-have-a-foursome-with-the-new-couple-wouldn’t-that-would-be-a-great-lead-into-the-next-story?
Heh.
Me, I’m definitely in the former camp.
I recently read a story where there were sex scenes with characters from the first book – and, no, not foursomes – that totally threw me off. It just seemed so so random and unnecessary. I mean, I did finish reading it, but still…
So, what would be too far for you in terms of the revisit? Or are you too busy fangurling to give a damn? 🙂
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
It depends. Are the characters from the previous book included as a necessary part of the story? Then it's ok. If they're gratuitous, then nope, get them out of there.
hi-so-nice-to-see-again-glad-you-are-still-together-and-aren't-you-both-adorable-now-fuck-off-already-this-isn't-your-book?
This is so totally me! I couldn't have put it better myself. 🙂
I usually like to see the previous couple as little as possible, unless it relates to the plot of the current book. I find that when past couples reappear they tend to get way too cutesy and one-demensional and it'll start to piss me off real quick.
Chris: The characters were part of the plot, but why the sex scene?? It was too much.
Val: *fist bump*
DL: “I find that when past couples reappear they tend to get way too cutesy and one-demensional and it'll start to piss me off real quick.”
I'm with you on this one, DL. Nothing more annoying when reading a revisit to wonder why you actually liked those other characters in the first place. Puts you off the entire series.
I agree with Chris, in general. I do like getting to visit with characters from previous books, but sex scenes just don't seem necessary.
Definitely the first one. I don't mind if the characters from the previous book are around, but I want the focus to be on the new pair. When the sequel is about a new couple, obviously most of the conflict/drama will be focused on that pair. So as D.L. said that can relegate the characters from the previous book to the cutesy role.
Well, if you can work in a four-some that's good. Did I just say that? But I just want them to kind of show up, dropping off dinner, picking them up at the garage, doing friend things, but I don't want to get into their own life story. I assume everything is hunky dory unless the story is about two couples, or a montage of many characters showing up, I'm thinking that last one of Heaven Sent where it was a get together of all the characters. I'm good with that but it should be clear what kind of sequel it is. b
I like to see the protagonists from the first story as friends of the protagonists of the new story, but I don't need sex scenes from the first pair. That makes the book about them again. If the author wants to continue writing books about the first set of characters, that's a different kind of series.
1. I'm not a fan of series.
2. If there is a series, I want it to be focused on the same characters. A new couple? What's the point of series then? Get your own book!
I'm probably more in your camp Kris than the other. I do like to see previous couples to see how they're doing but unless they have something to DO in the book, it's too saccharine and I no likey.
There are some exceptions I guess where I wouldn't mind the previous couple to have a bit more of the story but there has to be a story to it – like a secondary arc or something, not just “oh, here's the earlier couple and see they're still happily at it like bunnies but otherwise they're not moving the story along”.
So, fess up, which book/series was it?
Eyre: “I do like getting to visit with characters from previous books, but sex scenes just don't seem necessary.”
I think there's definitely a line where TMI is just way too much.
Richelle: “I don't mind if the characters from the previous book are around, but I want the focus to be on the new pair. When the sequel is about a new couple, obviously most of the conflict/drama will be focused on that pair.”
Yes. I think if the author focuses too much on the previous pairing it runs the risk of loosing any kind of interest for the couple whom the book is about this time round.
Tam: “… but I don't want to get into their own life story…”
Agreed. If it was at all necessary to include a heap of scenes about the earlier couple than the author should've just given them another book already instead of screwing around with this story.
Emilie: “If the author wants to continue writing books about the first set of characters, that's a different kind of series.”
*points up at comment to Tam* I totally agree with you, Emilie. I obviously don't write so am speaking from an outsiders POV, but I would have thought that this would be something that an author would have planned for from the outset?? Maybe I'm off base though.
Matthew: “If there is a series, I want it to be focused on the same characters. A new couple? What's the point of series then? Get your own book!”
🙂 I like series that follow the same protagonist as well as those where each book focuses on new characters but they are set in the same world and have an overarching story line. I'm a mixer.
Kaetrin: “”oh, here's the earlier couple and see they're still happily at it like bunnies but otherwise they're not moving the story along”.”
Word. And this is precisely one of the reasons why I am not a fan of those additional stories you get sometimes. You know the ones that revisit successful characters at holiday times, etc?? Yeah. I don't really see the point.
so what book was it?
Kaetrin: Sorry! I forgot to answer that part of your comment. Just like I forgot which book it was. Oppsie. I know I read it a couple of weeks ago now which is when I made the note for this post, but other than that… sorry! Again. 🙂
I'n going to fence sit. It so depends on the characters (if Ginn Hale wrote another Lord of the White Hell book would I be upset if I saw Javier and Kiriam again? Nope!)…and what their place in the book is. No pointless plots please! But…if should be advertised as a direct sequel.
Orannia: I think we all agree on the relevancy of revisiting previous characters in a sequel, otherwise… no.