A discussion with P.E. and Mari.
Recently I've been seeing a growing trend in novellas in YA. These novellas range between being a necessary read or a fun add on and they can be placed anywhere chronologically in the series. To begin, what are your thoughts on novellas? Do you like or dislike them and most importantly do you even read them?
I really don't care very much about them. The thing is, they're hard to get. Either you have to download them, or buy them, and I get most of my books physically from the library, so I usually don't bother with most novellas. I think they're a nice idea, but as someone that desires detail, I can't fall for a short story. I need more.
I hear you. From the few that I've read, I can't say I was satisfied. First of all, they are overpriced. I know on the kobo store some novellas are priced somewhere around $3, which isn't much bang for my buck. I'm often left with a confused sense of loss because the character in the book doesn't always feel the same in the novella. I may have been one of the only people who didn't really like Four's Story, the one chapter add-on from Divergent. However, I can still see why they are around. They do quench some of the thirst when placed in between ongoing series.
I wouldn't go that far. I've read a few novellas for Wicked Lovely that were fine, although I did want more. Rachel Vincent's Reaper however was outstanding. It was perfectly written, and I ended up crying and loving it. I think it was free too- many novellas are at some point.
I haven't come by many like those. I think the biggest problem is that they are continuations of stories that you love with characters that you've read so much about therefore you kind of expect their actions to be a certain way and it's hard for the author to show that in such a small space. How about reading a novella thats a 0.5 in a series? Have you read or would read them?
Well that's what Reaper was. It takes something that happened in the background of the series, and explains it. It's a pretty significant event and it looks at some pretty important side characters. Most of the novellas I've read take place during a series too. I don't read many of them though. For me, it's still all about access. How about you?
I really don't care very much about them. The thing is, they're hard to get. Either you have to download them, or buy them, and I get most of my books physically from the library, so I usually don't bother with most novellas. I think they're a nice idea, but as someone that desires detail, I can't fall for a short story. I need more.
I hear you. From the few that I've read, I can't say I was satisfied. First of all, they are overpriced. I know on the kobo store some novellas are priced somewhere around $3, which isn't much bang for my buck. I'm often left with a confused sense of loss because the character in the book doesn't always feel the same in the novella. I may have been one of the only people who didn't really like Four's Story, the one chapter add-on from Divergent. However, I can still see why they are around. They do quench some of the thirst when placed in between ongoing series.
I wouldn't go that far. I've read a few novellas for Wicked Lovely that were fine, although I did want more. Rachel Vincent's Reaper however was outstanding. It was perfectly written, and I ended up crying and loving it. I think it was free too- many novellas are at some point.
I haven't come by many like those. I think the biggest problem is that they are continuations of stories that you love with characters that you've read so much about therefore you kind of expect their actions to be a certain way and it's hard for the author to show that in such a small space. How about reading a novella thats a 0.5 in a series? Have you read or would read them?
Well that's what Reaper was. It takes something that happened in the background of the series, and explains it. It's a pretty significant event and it looks at some pretty important side characters. Most of the novellas I've read take place during a series too. I don't read many of them though. For me, it's still all about access. How about you?
There are three reason why I would read a novella: I want to read a series and I'm not sure if I'll like it, I love a series and I'm missing it or the novella is a necessary part. For the most part I usually read them for the second reason. Novellas really aren't meant to be taken too seriously and I enjoy them if they are just supposed to be fun. But usually they aren't something I enjoy so I stay away.
In general, I just seem to forget about their existence.
In general, I just seem to forget about their existence.
The only way that I will read a novella in a series is if I can get it free on kindle or borrow it from my libraries overdrive. I'm not fond of paying 3 dollars for a book that's on 50-100 pages long. Heck, I don't even like paying over 5 dollars for a normal Kindle book, haha.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I'm with you on that. They aren't a necessity so I don't feel the need to pay and read them.
Delete-Mari
While they are kind of expensive, I do like getting novellas because they can offer more insight into the world of a series and such. I especially like ones from the point of view of other characters (e.g. Phoenix Overture, A Dawn Most Wicked) because you can see the series from a different perspective, or gain information about a character that you might not have known if you had just read the main books :)
ReplyDeletePlus, my library has overdrive, so I can often just request the library to buy the novella and then I can get it for free haha. I love the library <3
That's a great point, novellas featuring another point of view can be interesting sometimes. Also, Overdrive is a great option for getting novellas.
Delete-Mari
I rarely read novellas when they're first published, I usually end up reading them after the entire series is out for some reason, therefore I don't really see them as that 'filler' material when I'm waiting for the next book in a series to come out. I don't particularly like novellas as I agree that the author's usually can't quite capture the same world in such a short space which is a shame. All in all, they're a nice idea, but I wouldn't notice if they just stopped being written...
ReplyDeleteLaura @ What's Hot?
I agree with that. They are fun sometimes but not necessary.
Delete-Mari
I have to say I really like reading novellas. I feel like they, for the most part, can add something to the world of a series. Sometimes I don't feel like I have the energy or time to read a full book and feel like reading something that will be a complete story in itself, and that's what novellas do for me.
ReplyDeleteSome novellas are pretty short, like 40 pages or so, and those sometimes leave you hanging a bit, but others that are around 100 pages or so? Those are usually totally worth the money (unless they are one of those overpriced ones out there...). I have read some novellas that have really changed my opinion on a character, like Destroy Me, or have give me a very welcome knowledge about the world, like Phoenix Overture. Other novellas are an opportunity for some secondary character that we love to get their own spotlight for a bit.
And sometimes the 0.5 novellas can be a good way to check the writing style of the author and the feel of the story before taking the plunge into a series.
Ditto what Nara and Pili said!
ReplyDeleteWe actually blogged about this a while ago when we first saw the trend starting: http://www.weheartya.com/search/label/novellas
I generally feel this way about novellas. First, they are often too short to be satisfying. Second, I often feel like I'm not getting my money's worth. Third, I've always had a sneaking suspicion that some of them are just parts of the book that got cut out. I mean, I'm all for recycling, but I think authors should just give them away for free to anyone who buys the regular books.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics
I have to agree... they drive me nuts. I think they are expensive and force you to buy them if you want more of the story. Luckily my library orders most of the ones I want to read so I get them for free. But I just think the authors are out for money.
ReplyDelete