You know what? I have a total love/hate relationship with standalones.
I mean, hi, look at them. They are gorgeous self-sustaining complete little packages that stand on their own and don’t need no man. I respect this. And they have so many positives: you don’t have to worry about following a whole series, cliffhangers, having an awful sequel, or remembering what happened in each book between years of waiting. Standalones are nice to us.
And yet there is 100% chance if I like a standalone that I will fling myself into a galactic void while shouting, “BUT I NEED MOAR.”
I also struggle to move on from things I like. Who could have told. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Let me tell you about 10 standalone novels I desperately wish had sequels.
I would bribe authors with toast to write me these books. And who doesn’t like toast, right?! This is a foolproof plan. You could totally convince me to write a lot of things for toast, btw, just in case you need that information.
WILL WORK FOR BREAD
Top Ten Tuesday | Standalone Books That Need a Sequel
* also I’m 16% sure I wrote a post like this in the past? but I CAN’T FIND IT in my archives so let’s just hope I don’t mention all the same books twice lmao I am functional.
1. THE SCORPIO RACES
Because of course I’m going to say this like a creature who is deeply in love with all Stiefvater words. UGH I LOVE THEM. I would also be totally down to have this book in Finn’s perspective. But otherwise, I just wasn’t ready to leave Thisby? It’s like, fine, take care of the emotional needs of Puck and Sean — but what about me, hm???? Don’t leave me????
2. AUTOBOYOGRAPHY
Again, I love this book so much it hurts. It perfectly balances cute fluffy scenes with dorky lines that make you bust out smiling — but also absolutely heart-wrenching and heart-wrecking scenes that left me in my own salty dead sea. I had a lot of personal-connection feels about this one too. Moments when I really related and I just 😫💛 It doesn’t need a sequel (the ending filled my soul) but I’m just saying…I want one.
I do not like letting go ok.
3. AN ENCHANTMENT OF RAVENS
I’ve rapidly found I am addicted to faerie stories. I will take 9 thanks…no no wait! NINETY-NINE. I just particularly love this one for how Isobel is so no-nonsense and Rook is a soft leaf who occasionally threatens a teapot. It was so visual and sensory too. I heart. (I’m not actually sure what would happen in the sequel? Just that I would be done for one.)
4. ARISTOTLE AND DANTE
Apparently we are getting a sequel?! But I’ve heard exactly nothing about it since it was rumoured to be happening, so kind of just wanting for this to BUST OUT OF THE WOODWORK AND SAVE OUR LIVES.
5. HERE LIES DANIEL TATE
My opinion on this book’s ending continues to be “!!!!!!!!!!!🤯!!!!!!!!!!!” And I won’t give you any spoilers but aRHGSOGH. I fully need a sequel and I need closure and I need to know what the heck Daniel’s real name is. He spends the book in this elaborate con, pretending to be this long-lost-kid of a rich family. So he goes by Daniel, but that’s not his real name. I just want to know. It’s bothering me.
6. BONE GAP
This wish is purely for the selfish reason that I loved this world of cornstalks and honeybees and soft magic that might not even exist if you don’t know where to look… And, ok fine: the story stands perfectly as is. But I just want more because I need this book to ABSORB ME.
It’s so beautiful ughhgh that’s not legal.
7. DARIUS THE GREAT IS NOT OKAY
This book was literally like taking a trip to Iran to find TRUE LOVE FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS for the first time. Darius and I had a great time, ok. We bonded. We grew. We’re bffs also. There was a lot of delicious food too.
But actually shoutout to Darius’ incredible character arc and how he made peace with himself in this book. I desperately want to see him now that he’s home and what will happen next?! I want to see him THRIVE in senior year and also explore more of his queer identity because that was only a soft thread in this book.
8. A LIST OF CAGES
It’s been twooooo years since I read this and I need a reread desperately (I am forgetting details eep). But look, this book? I love it. It’s so painful which, arguably, all the good books are. But it is split between Adam (I think he’s 18?) and Julian (14) and tbh Julian went through HELL. I want to know what happens to him next. I want to see my son thrive. I’m cryyyying.
9. BOOMERANG
Need for sequel? LEVEL: DESPERATE. It was such a frikkin’ stressful book with my ship and, while I loved the ending, it just made me have the “ok but what’s next” feeling…which is the worst feeling. Because I’ll never know what’s next?!?? I’ll always just be here. THINKING. Wishing. Hoping these stupid loveable boys are ok forever. emotionssss.
10. EMERGENCY CONTACT
I’m cheating! But is it even a Top Ten Tuesday if I don’t sort of cheat with the prompts!?
I most desperately want a prequel of Sam and Penny!! In highschool…with back flashes to their childhoods. But like particularly Sam because this kid had a messed up childhood and I want to see him tumble up into the baking-loving-skinny-anxious-disaster he truly is. And I want to read Penny, as a younger teen, writing precocious works and being 1000% done with humans.
It’s been actual months since I read this AND I’M STILL THINKING ABOUT IT.
To Kill a Kingdom!! That is my number one standalone-that-shouldn’t-be-a-standalone-especially-when-there-are-so-many-crap-series-out-there. I also totally agree on An Enchantment of Ravens (but I’m really glad we’re getting Sorcery of Thorns <3)
Brilliant list, 🙂
Sorcery of Thorns is going to be AMAZING. I’m so freaking excited for it!! And TKAK too yes for sure eep. It like gave us this whole amazing world and then…?! That was it? More please.😂
I will confess I have hardly read any stand alones but I have been playing catch up on all of the series that I missed out over the past years. But they are quite a few on this list that I want to read so I should be crying out for sequels right after I’ve read them!!
Even though I am kind of excited to read more stand alones because series can take a while to read (as much as I love them) and I risk forgetting what’s happened. Also when you are reading a lot of series it can be hard to keep up with them all. But I know if I love a book– I want to hear more and more about the story. You could tell me about my favourite characters doing maths together and I will want to read it all haha!!
Loved the post though– The Scorpio Races is a book I really want to get to soon because I need to read more Maggie Stiefvater!!
There are…SO many series to catch up on. So this I totally understand ahah. And yes I totally agree…there’s so many pros and cons to standalones?! Like I always want more if I love it BUT it is nice to know it’s just a singular book and I don’t have to panic about remembering it all for a full year till a sequel comes out. 😂 I have a really bad memory.
THE SCORPIO RACES. Yes. Definitely. More flesh-eating horses, please!
I WANT THIS SO BAD AHHHH.
Nice post, I actually haven’t thought much about my favorite standalones getting sequels because so much could go wrong. Like what if it’s disappointing and ruins the first book??? Although I am excited when I hear one of my favorite standalones is getting a sequel I also usual skeptically. However now I think about I’d love a Language of Thorns sequel with more stories, or maybe even a Ulla spinoff.
And speaking of sequels did you know a third Villains book by V.E. Schwab has been announced???
Honestly that fear is REAL. Because I sit here asking for sequels, but truly I *own* a ton of sequels that I’m too scared to read because the first book was perfect. 😂 I would like more Language of Thorns stories!! I kind of thought I remembered Bardugo saying there might be?
and omg has it been officially announced?!? is there a release date? I thought Schwab indicated it wouldn’t happen for like 5 years.😂
The next Villains book is official, it even has a Goodreads page, but no release date or synopsis. It might be a few years but it’s there to add to the tbr
I really need a sequel to If We Were Villians by M.L Rio, I was just not okay with ending and definitely need more closure about that one. I also totally agree with you about The Scorpio Races, I was not ready to leave Thisby either and would appreciate more books there.
Oh I’ve heard about If We Were Villains and I kind of want to try that one?!
It’s really good, though a little intense.
I have read none of these! But a few of them are on my TBR list. Instead of wishing for sequels, I usually have the opposite problem. I read the sequel and then wonder why a sequel was necessary. Great list!
Sometimes that happens to me too, I confess. 😂Some sequels just are nothing like what I expect hhaaha
Ahh I need to reread Bone Gap because I don’t remember half of what happened, but I remember loving it very much.
I would 100% read more Scorpio Races. I don’t care if the series becomes 27 books long, I will read all of them gladly.
It’s GORGEOUS and I’ve read it twice and still am not sure what happened tbh. It’s a magic book and it memory wipes when I’m not reading it.
I have Daniel Tate on my tbr but haven’t got the chance to read it yet, but now I’m intrigued! I really wanted to get a sequel for Vicious and now that we already got it, I still want more! Hopefully we’ll get another one, I’d never get tired of Victor, Mitch and Sydney.
omg I can’t recommend Daniel Tate enough! I’m not usually one for thrillers but that was EVERYTHING. and I think there will be another Vicious book? VE Schwab sort of said there would in 5 years lol.
LOL, I’d so be down for a Scorpio Races sequel, too! It wouldn’t even have to be a direct sequel – say, 5 years in the future, doesn’t even have to be narrated by Sean and Puck, hell, I’d take Puffin the cat’s POV. XD But I also respect the decision of an author who has poured herself into creating *2* series that are so adored by readers to sticking to the occasional standalone. (For her own sanity, if nothing else!)
Yes!! I want Finn actually?! Like he was probably 13 or 14 in the first book, so give us a book about him being 17 and trying to figure out his life, while Puck and Sean can be the odd married couple in the background. Will Maggie Stiefvater take bribes. 😍
Great list! Clearly I need to give The Scorpio Races a try; I’ve heard really good things about it.
It’s absolutely GORGEOUS. One of my all-time favourite books!!
Autoboyography! My heart. I really hope things got better for Seb and Tanner. I am just about to start Enchantment – super excited to see that around on the sequel love today. 🙂
omg YES YES I am mad that I didn’t put that one on my list now!!
I STILL need to read The Scorpio Races and The Bone Gap and I haven’t read any of the others either so I can’t say if a sequel is in order. But I honestly enjoy a good standalone. 🙂
I think standalones can just be good for knowing that the story is completed and we don’t have to angst over cliffhangers. 😂Unless I wrote it but shhshh we don’t talk about that.
The Scorpio Races is on my list this week too, although I remain of two minds about it. I love the book so much as a standalone and I think the style of the story is really well suited to being just one book… but I would also jump at the chance to revisit Thisby! Dilemma dilemma…
I totally get that too! But like I do trust Maggie Stiefvater to always write quality content and not wreck what she already has. Like with Sinner! That was an excellent spin-off.
I haven’t finished A List of Cages Yet, but I’m really liking it so far! Adam and Julian really remind me of my characters in one of my WIPs. <3
Idk, I think I definitely tend to read more series, but one of the standalones I've read that I would want a sequel to is probably Before I Fall. I just really want to know what happens to everyone after the end! We need more closure!
Aw I’m glad you’er reading it!! And Adam and Julian remind me of some of my characters toooooo. 😫💛💛I love them.
WAIT I so need a sequel for A List of Cages?! It’s my most favorite book and I really do need to see how live turns out for sweet, smol Julian and the sunflower that is Adam. 😭I feel the same way about Darius too, I also would love to see him explore his queer identity and I’d be interested in seeing him keep up his friendship with Sohrab and grow his relationship with his dad. WOW, I DIDN’T KNOW I NEEDED ALL OF US THIS UNTIL NOW.
I’m so glad we are in agreement with this *hi five* lets bribe the authors with cake.
I literally just wrote a blog post about this on Friday. What are the odds? An Enchantment of Ravens made my list too! (Technically, my post wasn’t just standalones; it also included two supposed-to-be-part-of-a-series books whose sequels haven’t come out yet even though they were supposed to release AGES ago. But y’know.) Anyway. Yes, I need a sequel with Isobel and Rook being awesome and two-person-revolutioning the faerie world or something. Or with some fae being like “I won’t take orders from a mere mortal” and challenging Isobel and then regretting it oh, so much. IDK. Something. (And also, it would technically be an after-happily-ever-after story, since Isobel and Rook would be officially together, and I LOVE stories where it’s a strong couple against the world instead of “couple falling apart along with the world”.)
Aw that is funny! I’m doing it as part of the TTT challenge so that’s why it came up for me. 😂 And we absolutely deserve more of Isobel and Rook. That was just unfair to leave us with having only 1 book of them. They were amazing. (And also agreed??? I’m really tired of the romance falling apart being the drama. Let the world fall apart lmao. Let the people at least still like each other.😂)
Uhhh your book…
I wanted moreee
How does Beck adjust to new home? Does he see August again? What about Maestro? So many questions but so little answers
omg this makes my day though 😂😂but also thoroughly good questions because I DON’T KNOW.
More Than This doesn’t need a whole sequel, but just like…10 more pages? ;_; plz be okay Seth
omg Patrick Ness books do that to me CONSTANTLY.
Okay, excuse me whilst I go add EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE TO MY TBR because I’ve read none of them and my TBR is weeping. *hides face in paper bag of shame\
but see what if we figured out a way to PAUSE TIME and therefore we could actually catch up on reading for once???
100% yes on the Scorpio Races!!! That needs to happen.
It’s so gorgeous afjdksald it would just be the best sequel. 😍
I haven’t really read any of these except The Scorpio Races, which I liked but wasn’t dying to read more of? I don’t really read enough standalones to have lots that I think need sequels, since I largely read series! I really wish Daughter of The Burning City had a sequel because I had a lot of questions about Gomorrah and I’d like to see more in that world. I’d also really like a companion or something to By A Charm and A Curse, featuring the side characters of the circus because that would be awesome. I’m reading To Kill A Kingdom at the moment and I’m almost done and it’s making me really sad that there’s not more, even though it doesn’t need it. Most of the time though I feel like there are a lot of books that probably could standalone that are made into series because they are more popular? I don’t know, I do like having standalones out there because sometimes you’re in the mood to not have to dive into this whole complex series world!
Oh I should’ve put Daughter of the Burning City on my list because YES! I want more from that world too! TKAK set up an amazing world, I wish it had a sequel.
I actually fully agree with Scorpio Races. A setting like that deserves more books! It’s funny because I proclaim to LOVE sequels and series, but actually I am complete garbage at actually ever reading them? So maybe I should actually not want standalones to have sequels? But who am I kidding, I definitely need lots of them!
Ok honestly this is also me.😂 I sit here saying I want sequels for these books but let me introduce you to a whole ton of books that already *have* sequels that I absolutely have not read yet.😂
THE SCORPIO RACES AND A LIST OF CAGES! Ah! My heart! I love both those books so much, and their precious cinnamon roll characters! I need sequels for both immediately, and am contemplating resorting to threats and/or violent measures to obtain them. Maggie Stiefvater, Robin Roe, if you’re reading this, consider yourself warned.
Wonderful post, love! <3
SO MUCH LOVE. I can’t even believe it’s been so long since I last read them!
To be honest, a sequel for A List of Cages and Ari & Dante is everything I could ask for. I’d love to see more from these characters, because they have such an unique bond and I want to read mooooore.
A part of me would also die for a sequel of All American Boys. I mean, the fact that the book ended without Rashad and Quinn ever being formally introduced to each other; the fact that we don’t know whether or not Paul was charged guilty… There were so many open questions! I’d love to see more from these characters and hopefully a lot of friendly interactions between the two 😍
omg yesss, I’m glad we’re in agreement!! We just need to bribe the authors with enough cake now. Oh yes and I definitely could handle an All American Boys sequel! It would be interesting to keep following the boys through the rest of highschool.
Honestly, I like the fact that standalone just end! I think I’ve gotten burned to many times by books that were originally standalones, and then got a sequel or companion that I either disliked or downright hated. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule, but for me when I hear that a book that was a standalone is getting a sequel/companion, I just started getting nervous.
It’s hard when we’re only fond of the first book! I try not to begrudge the series for continuing even if I don’t like it…but it’s hard sometimes haha.
I really liked Aristotle and Dante! It took me quite a while to get into it but it really is a beautiful book, so I absolutely can’t wait for the sequel. If it happens that is.
I would probably give an organ for a sequel to The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. The way that it ended just left me wanting to know what happens next and how Tana continues to deal with being trapped in Coldtown forever. Plus, Holly Black is fabulous and we always need more books from her.
The first time I read it, I took a little while to get into it too. But the second time, I just loved the whole thing with how gorgeous the prose was ahhhh. And omg I need to reread the Coldest Girl SO badly because I barely remember it, just that I adored it. (We always need more Holly Black books. 😍)
Oh my god a prequel of Emergency Contact to read about Penny and Sam before AHHH I AM SCREAMING, this would be A DREAM, I would love this so, so very much, such a fantastic idea. <3 And I loved A List of Cages, I'd definitely read about these adorable little beans today, I miss them and this book broke my heart and I just want them to be okay. <3
Fantastic list <3
omg right?! I need it so badly…someone bribe the author with coffee and donuts for us. 😂
I agree soooo much about Here Lies Daniel Tate! It was one of my favorite reads of 2017 (dude, that was forever ago) and I still think about it. On the one – extremely large – hand, I want to know ALL THE DEETS surrounding our “Daniel” … but as an extremely messed-up need-to-know-everything, I love books where you don’t get all the answers (like Here Lies Daniel Tate and Eleanor). I am weird.
I want more from All the Bright Places (I AM PSYCHED FOR THE MOVIE). It, obviously, cannot be done … but I want more from my two heartbreaks. </3 Honestly, though, I really don't read that many stand alones. haha.
IT WAS SO GOOD OMG. But also wait was that 2017? That was so long ago. 😂It’s one of the few books I actually remember perfectly. But I still do want to reread….
post title: books that need a sequel
cait: so not really a sequel, i just genuinely want more of the world lmao
which is exactly how i feel about the boy who steals houses by the way! i still need to write my review (my feelings are a mess) but the way you wrote the DeLainey family made me feel all warm inside – like the nostalgia of memories that aren’t even mine? idk the vibe in all those family scenes was just so well created and i desperately want more of that. like i’m fine with atpn being a standalone but tbwsh i just,,, need mORE of it. i need more of sam and moxie. i want a book set in the future where they’re all happy but probably not and just?? more of avery and brotherly relationships and i’m sorry i’m such a messss still thinking about that book when will i ever stop. i just think tbwsh was so meaningful and touching? I’m SORRY this is a ramble.
ALSO YES TO BONE GAP!!! like the whole world is just so magical and soft and strange??! and it’s just exactly my type of book. I LOVE IT. *me going to check if laura ruby has any other books* ALSO i really read bone gap and then re-read it THE DAY after. can you tell i am obsessed with it? *feels the urge to re-read it right now*
Honestly is it even a post written by ME if I don’t break my own rules? :’)
Also my heart is so full right now reading what you said about the De Laineys. Like YES. I know authors aren’t supposed to be narcisstic or anything but ajfdksl dI really love the De Laineys and I want to fall into their house too. 😭💛And I’m also fine with ATPN standing alone but I thoroughly am not ready to say goodbye to the De Laineys. WHO LEFT THE ENDING OPEN LIKE THAT. WHO DID THAT.
I love standalones so much and mostly I just love them to remain as is. An exception to this is EMPRESS OF ALL SEASONS because I need more of the Japanese-inspired magical world. I actually didn’t know it was a standalone when I read it and realized that it was a standalone 85% into the book. It was a bitter surprise, chums.
I also want more of THE NIGHT CIRCUS (yeah I’m trash) and I’m with you on THE SCORPIO RACES. I’m forgetting details now so I have to reread it too!
I get bitter when I think it’s going to be a series and it’s not…but also vice versa? Like if I want it to be a standalone, but no, there are like 8 books coming…I also get bitter. 😂 Maybe, possibly, I am just fussy lmao.
YESYESYES to a sequel to The Scorpio Races! It was my first read of 2019 and . . . honestly a 10/10 choice.