Let's Talk: Cliffhangers

Let's Talk is a new weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

Question: Cliffhangers - love them or hate them?

I'm often on the fence about this one, kiddos. On some blogs, you'll probably find me saying I simply loathe them. That's true. Then, on other blogs, you might find me saying I just love them. I'm ashamed to say that's also true. I have my reasons though, and I certainly think they're justified because, hey, when a cliffhanger is done right, it leaves me loving a book even more and, heck! It probably has me completely invested in the series, too!

I think there's a divide between good and bad cliffhangers though, and I reserve the right to judge them on a case by case basis. A good cliffhanger has me thinking about the book long after I close the last page. I'll probably scour that ending for some hidden direction multiple times, too, just hinting at what's next. That, in a nutshell, is what a good cliffhanger should make me do. Bad cliffhangers, on the other hand, leave me wondering if I actually liked the story in the first place. They can leave a sour taste in my mouth and, frankly, often have me thinking it's a cop-out. So, naturally, I'm going to break it down for you guys. Here are my top three favourite and least favourite cliffhangers:

1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - The Cliffhanger of Doom. Need I really say more? ADORE.

2. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake - This eerie cliffhanger still has me eerily fascinated. In a good way.

3. Delirium by Lauren Oliver - Beautiful. Poetic. Tragic. I'm still breathless after book two!

An honourable mention MUST go to Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles. I prayed for a sequel for years because of that one. Unfortunately, I now wished it had simply stayed with the cliffhanger - hence why it's not top-three.

1. Night Runner by Max Turner - I'm not even really sure how it boiled down to that...or why.

2. Witch & Wizard by James Patterson - Arguably a foul book with an even worse cliffhanger...can it get better?

3. The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong - It just felt like a pitch to the next book to me. Boring.

So, the bottom line is that when cliffhangers are used correctly, I'm invested in the series. You've officially got me hooked. When done wrong, however, I will most likely not even get near book two.