The Five Best Adult Book Series
The Five Best Adult Book Series
There are so many things to love about a book series…cliffhangers, crazy arcs, multi-generational storylines, and even the odd bit of time travel.
Reading a series by a favourite author is a gift that keeps on giving. The adventures have to end at some point, but in the meantime, the juiciness and anticipation of a good, evolving story keeps us wanting more.
Getting into a series takes time and commitment. So, if you’re looking for your next deep dive, here are a few series worth looking into.
1. The Tower Series by Stephen King
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Why Read This
The Dark Tower series is King’s epic world-spanning saga which follows the travels and adventures of gunslinger Roland Deschain. Although Roland is the central character and his motives drive the story forward, the supporting characters — his ka-tet, his shadowy enemies, and an incredible range of beings from interconnected worlds and timelines — make this story one wild ride from start to finish. A fantastical mix of science fiction, fantasy, and horror worth exploring.
Start with: The Gunslinger
Bottom Line
5/5 Brookie Stars
2. The Pendergast Series by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
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Why Read This
Fans of crime thrillers will have more than enough to keep them going with the twenty books in Preston and Child’s Pendergast series. Each entry features smart and savvy FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast as he investigates the mysteries behind grisly murders, unexplained attacks, and ancient relics.
While you could technically dive in without reading the first book (there are a few trilogies including Diogenes and Helen), starting at the beginning would give you a better understanding of Pendergast’s backstory and his connection to characters who pop up again in later books. Intense, action-packed entertainment.
Start with: Relic
Bottom Line
4/5 Brookie Stars
3. The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon
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Why Read This
Maybe you’ve heard of or seen the made-for-TV Starz series, but the books are definitely worth reading. Former WWII nurse Claire Randall finds herself transported back in time where she has to use her wits to survive in 18th-century Scotland. Things start to heat up when she meets a young warrior named James Fraser.
Gabaldon’s characters are well written and the adventures — and snafus — keep on coming as the stories chart Jamie and Claire’s romance and struggles in multiple locations and across timelines. Themes of loyalty, love, honour, and courage. Historical fiction at its best.
Start with: Outlander
Bottom Line
5/5 Brookie Stars
4. The Inheritance Series by N.K. Jemisin
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Why Read This
This series by N.K. Jemisin stands out as an original take on the fantasy genre with underlying themes of freedom and love.
In a world filled with gods, godlings, humans, and all sorts of supernatural beings, the powerful Arameri family enjoy absolute rule. Starting with Yeine Darr, an unlikely heir to the throne, the trilogy introduces us to a variety of different heroines, each with their own backstory. But many of the characters overall, both human and non-human, their relationships, and the political and cultural realities they face are rich in detail. The threads of this expansive tale draw readers right through to the end. A great pick for fans of speculative fiction.
Start with: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
Bottom Line
4/5 Brookie Stars
5. The Kingsbridge Series by Ken Follett
Image via Goodreads
Why Read This
Treachery, ambition, love, and devotion — fans of old-timey English tales should love this sprawling series about the inhabitants of Kingsbridge, a fictional medieval town, set over the course of many centuries.
Although there are tons of characters in each book — some scheming, some saintly — Follett is skilled at weaving his plotlines together to make one overarching, intriguing story showcasing the triumphs and tragedies of life in this era. These are hefty books but Follett’s straightforward writing style lets the stories flow easily.
Start with: The Pillars of the Earth or the prequel The Evening and the Morning
Bottom Line
5/5 Brookie Stars
We hope you’re intrigued by at least one of these adult book series; maybe you’ve already taken the leap and dove in. You might even be considering taking a peek at one that’s already hit the screen, but if you’re able to resist temptation, I’d definitely recommend reading the books first!
What are some of your favourite adult book series? Or which ones are you looking forward to reading?
Let us know here.
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Keisha Paterson is a lifetime writer of sticky-note poetry who enjoys comfort foods, self-care holidays, and Hawaiian dance. A prolific wanderer, she loves to discover and take home old orphaned books and eclectic records. She is an office manager, private yoga instructor, and freelance editor in Toronto.
Favourite Book: Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now by Maya Angelou
Favourite brunch spot: Sisters and Co.
