What I Love in Book Endings || Let’s Talk Bookish

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme, hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books & Dani @ Literary Lion, where we discuss certain topics, share our opinions, and spread the love by visiting each other’s posts. It’s supposed to be posted on Friday, but being on time is hard and it’s better late than never.

This week’s topic is: what is a “good” ending?

I mean, ideally, I don’t want books to end. Ever. If the words could just keep on appearing ad infinitum, that’d be great, thanks. Unfortunately, no one’s developed that technology yet (because y’all are slacking, obviously), which means that, at some point, we need to come to terms with the reality that books end.

A good ending, though, can make the whole difference. Sure, you’re sad it ended, but if the ending is just right, you begrudgingly accept it. So today’s post is dedicated to different sorts of endings that I absolutely love!

The “Fade to Black” Ending

Notable features:

• Wraps up the entire book/series
• Potentially shows a happy-for-now ending
• Might pack one final emotional punch before wrapping.
• When done well, feels like the conclusion of an era.
• Wraps the story in the series, but not the lives of the characters.

Examples I enjoyed:

               

I love this ending, because I feel like the story itself is over, and in a satisfactory way, but it’s open enough where I know it’s not done for the characters. I don’t want a happily ever after that suggests nothing ever happens to the characters again. I want to know that their lives go on, even if I don’t get to see what happens in them. It’s like leaving a dear friend, knowing that this arc of their life has come to an end, but that there’s still plenty in store for them.

A Final Unexpected Twist

Notable features:

• Book’s arc is sufficiently wrapped up … but wait!
• The ending isn’t quite what you expect. Surprise!
• One final twist to the knife already bedded in your feels.
• Has the potential for a new story, but doesn’t need one to feel complete.

Examples I enjoyed:

           

When this is done right, it can legit make me squee with glee (like in the case of Obsidio). This is different from a cliffhanger or the opening of a new arc because it feels complete. It could lead to another story, but it doesn’t need to in order for me to feel satisfied with the way it’s ended. It opens possibilities that I don’t need to explore in order for me to be happy.

Leaving An Opening for More Books

Notable features:

• Series could end and that’d be fine. Buuuut … maybe not?
• No sequel may be planned, but one might come anyway.
• Perfect situation for a companion novel.
• Or maybe just another book in the same world!
• Feels complete and finished, but leaves you with a desire and potential for more.

Examples I enjoyed:

               

Does there need to be a sequel? No. Will there be a sequel? Who knows?! Would I like a sequel? Of course! There are many different forms this could take, whether I want more of the specific characters or I just want more of the world. This is a pretty common tactic for authors who have more than one story in mind but only got a book deal for one, and I’m okay with this. If I love a book, of course I want more of them, but with this ending, I won’t be heartbroken or frustrated if there’s not more, either. It’s the perfect neutral ending!

The Gentle Lead Into A Sequel

Notable features:

• No cliffhanger, but obvious that the story will continue.
• Makes me eager for the next one without eviscerating my soul.
• Cliffhanger lite.
• Eases the reader into the next book.

Examples I enjoyed:

               

It’s not quite a cliffhanger. It’s what I call a cliffhanger lite. Something that gets you really excited to read the next one, but not in a must know what happens next sort of way. More of a, wait, I didn’t want to leave this world quite yet. There’s more to be done! sort of a way. Sometimes it’s just nice to look forward to a sequel without it destroying your soul in the meantime.

The Cliffhanger

Notable features:

• The words have ended and it hurts.
• Marked, desperate need to find out what happens next.
• So eager for the next book that you might just count down the days.

Examples I enjoyed:

               

Speaking of destroying your soul … yes. All of it. Now, let me be clear, I love cliffhangers when they’re done right. I don’t want a cliffhanger that’s in the middle of some action and the story just stops. That frustrates the bananas out of me! A cliffhanger that’s timed just right, though, and makes me immediately want to know what’s going to happen, I’m fine with that! Sure, it’s going to eat my soul in the meantime, but that’s fiiiine. Who needs a soul anyway?

Endings I Don’t Love

Because there has to be at least one or two, right? I wanted to spend most of this post talking about ones I like, but since that naturally leads to the other end of the spectrum, I’ll talk about a few endings that I see as a turn-off. Honestly, endings like this can ruin an otherwise good book for me!

Happily Ever After
This is just unrealistic. I don’t mind ending on a happy note, but don’t try to fool me into thinking everything is sunshine and roses for the rest of these characters’ lives. Especially not after I’ve seen the hell they’ve just lived through, okay? Don’t know who you think you’re kidding, but I’m not buying it. Their struggles don’t end just because the words have.

Opening A New Arc
Endings should conclude things. That’s the gist of it. I mean, maybe not conclude everything, especially if it’s a series. A standalone, though, the arc should be over. Finished. Stick a fork in it because it’s done. I absolutely hate standalone books that tease a new arc and then just end. If it sounds like you’re spinning up for a sequel, I expect there to be a sequel! Otherwise, I’m just unsatisfied and disappointed.

Mid-Scene Cliffhanger
I did say I loved cliffhangers when they’re done right, yes? Well, the opposite can easily be true. I hate cliffhangers that feel like they’re in the middle of an action and the book just stops. I want something that makes me eager to read the next book without feeling like this arc is still open and we just stopped in the middle of it.

Open Endings Where You Draw Your Own Conclusions
Look. I just read a 300 – 500 page book. If I wanted to draw my own conclusions, I would’ve just written one myself. I read to see your vision of these characters and world and plot. I’m really not a fan of open endings that leave me feeling like I have no idea what the author was going for or why things happened or even what happened. I want answers, concrete and resolute! I’m okay with vague endings where not everything is explained and just hinted at, but I want at least a scaffolding present for me to consider it a satisfying ending!

What do you like or not like in endings? Tell me what sort of ending you prefer in the comments below!

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