THE QUINTET IN YA DARK FICTION…OR IS THIS JUST ONE BOOK TOO MANY?

The Quintet in YA Dark Fiction…
Or is this just one book too many?

Just when you thought our massive look at YA series and sequels was running out of steam, we’re back with the next entry. With duologies, trilogies and quartets done and dusted we are now looking at the five-book series, which is also known as the ‘quintet’. Make sure you check the page should you have missed the three earlier postings.
 
Quartets:
https://gingernutsofhorror.com/young-blood/when-three-becomes-fourthe-quartet-in-ya-fiction
 
Trilogies:
https://gingernutsofhorror.com/young-blood/three-is-the-magic-number-the-power-of-the-trilogy
 
Duologies:
https://gingernutsofhorror.com/young-blood/why-not-give-two-christmas-gifts-instead-of-onethe-power-of-the-ya-duology
 
We’re already said many series, particularly in YA and children’s fiction, overstay their welcome and just go on too long. The quintet is a great example, where the passion decreases, and the series become a cash-cow of diminishing returns. Not surprisingly, the fifth book in a sequence is rarely a high point and many teen readers have long-since abandoned ship before arriving at this latter stage. Late point entries in the series can include a tired prequel or two and it if often sad to see a once great series end limply with little fanfare, relying upon former glories to carry it home.
 
You may also think that authors who continually revisit the same characters on so many occasions might be considered one trick literary ponies, but I don’t think so, most of those featured below have authored many other great books beyond those featured. Are any of the fifth books listed below literary high points in their five-book series? Sadly, I think not, but there are still some very good reads.
 
They are listed alphabetically and the date of first and last book is noted. Do get in touch if you think there are any glaring ‘quintet’ omissions, of which there are bound to be. As always, my lists drift into wider genre fiction, particularly fantasy and science fiction.

And as always if any of these books tickles your fancy click on the titles and you will be taken to your regional Amazon store

TOM BECKER: DARKSIDE (5 BOOK SERIES 2007-10)

Jonathan Starling's home has been attacked, his dad is in an asylum, he's running for his life, and there's nowhere to hide having stumbled upon London's greatest secret, Darkside. It's a world of nightmares and secrets, where fear and evil rule, and Jonathan struggles to find a way to both survive and battle out. I have always been a big fan of this crossover fantasy/adventure/horror five book series which was very popular with kids a few years ago. Becker’s cool supernatural prison novel Traitors is also well worth checking out. This talented author has been quiet for several years and I would love to read something new from him. AGE 10+
 
HOLLY BLACK/CASSANDRA CLARE: MAGISTERIUM (5 BOOK SERIES 2012-18) 

At first glance Magisterium sounds very like Harry Potter as much of the story is set in a school for kids with magical ability, however, don’t let that put you off, there are many clever distinctions which drag the plot some distance from the Hogwarts blue-print. Initially, Callum Hunt does not want to be accepted into the magic school known as The Magisterium and deliberately tries to fail the entrance test, as he believes magic was responsible for the death of his mother, but things are not that simple. Although it takes its time to get going it has some outstanding twists and is set in a vividly described location where you’ll be quickly drawn into the fantastical world of the three main characters and their trials and tribulations. Both Black and Clare are outstanding authors with well-deserved top-notch profiles, so I’m surprised this series does not seem to have made a larger impact.  AGE 12+

TONY DITERLIZZI AND HOLLY BLACK: THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES (5 BOOK SERIES 2003-4)

If you’re after an easy to read fantasy series with elements of horror then The Spiderwick Chronicles is a great choice for younger readers, there are five books in the main series and then a further three books in the later Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles. Three kids, Mallory, Simon and Jared, move into their new house and discover a book belonging to their great-uncle "Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastic World Around You" and the three Grace kids soon realise that their new home allows them access to a magical world full of creatures who would love to force their way into our world. Creatures such as faeries and other much nastier critters are not too far away and start duking it out with the spunky kids. The books are beautifully illustrated and very short, perfect for kids who don’t like long books or are easily distracted. The 2008 film of the same name was a decent introduction to the series, selling itself as a cross between Gremlins and Jumanji. I would have adored this when I was nine or ten! AGE 8+
 
LIAN HEARN: TALES OF THE OTORI (5 BOOK SERIES 2002-07)
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Let us stray away from genre fiction for a moment with a more literary series which begins with the simply stunning Across the Nightingale Floor, which is intelligent fiction with a magical touch, taking in both supernatural and folk elements, set in the world of feudal Japan. Sixteen-year-old Otori Takeo sees his entire family murdered by a warlord’s elite warriors and swears bloody revenge and begins a long and vicious vendetta. Lord Iida Sadamu, warlord of the Tohan clan, soon realises he has picked a very dangerous fight, but he has his own unique ways of defending himself. Otori Takeo has the magical skills of his ancient tribe; preternatural hearing, invisibility, a second self (a seriously cool ‘shimmer’ which gives the appearance of bilocation) that enable him to begin his quest for revenge in a truly mesmerising series. Books one to three are majestic, the final two (which include a prequel) are just too big and become a little unwieldly.  The first three rank amongst my favourite YA series ever, irrespective of genre. Masterpieces and I do not say that lightly. AGE 13+

WILL HILL DEPARTMENT 19 (5 BOOK SERIES 2011-15)

Department 19 is a government secret agency which has been involved in a never-ending battle against the supernatural, specifically the spread of vampirism. The novel opens when Jamie Carpenter's mother is kidnapped by strange creatures and he finds himself dragged into the shadowy agency. Fortunately for Jamie, Department 19 can provide the tools he needs to find his mother, and to kill the vampires who appear to have a personal vendetta against him. But unfortunately for everyone, something much older is stirring, the king of vampires, Dracula himself. The ancient Transylvanian count becomes a recurring these in the five-book series and he really has it in for Jamie when he is recruited fully into the agency. Although these are chunky books, this is high-octane fun top heavy with incredible weapons, outstanding action sequences and a crazy amount of gore. Lots of other monsters from folklore are thrown into the mash-up, with even the legendary Frankenstein joining in the fun. Will Hill later made an outstanding change of direction with a novel about a girl escaping a cult in After the Fire, a book I loved. AGE 11+ 
 
LAUREN KATE: FALLEN (5 BOOK SERIES 2009-12)

If you’re after a dark and romantic supernatural read, which plays its cards close to its chest, then Lauren Kate’s Paranormal Romance series Fallen is worth a look. The action takes place in the Sword and Cross Boarding School (Savannah, Georgia) where the teenage pupils have all got issues, problems or have been sent there for unexplained reasons. Main character Luce Price has a tragedy in her past, which is revealed very closely and is the reason she has ended up in the school where mobile phones are forbidden. Soon after arrival Luce feels a strong attraction for Daniel Grigori who shuns her advances, but she is continually drawn to him and is sure he is hiding a secret. Throw into the mix teenage rivalries, other kids with weird powers and a very convincing drama which plays out very slowly Fallen is one the best of the Paranormal Romance series and highly addictive fun. AGE 13+
 
JONATHAN MABERRY: BENNY IMURA (5 BOOK SERIES 2010-15)

Rot and Ruin is an outstanding series (also known as the Benny Imura sequence) set in a zombie infested world, two brothers hunt the creatures, but not for the most obvious of reasons, as they’re a slightly different breed of zombie killer. This was Maberry’s YA debut, which remains the best zombie series in the business, through a combination of strong characterisation, clever plot and very well developed post-apocalyptic world. Maberry is simply a terrific author to gets teens reading, with his intensely fast-paced fiction, loaded with gadgets and page after page of gripping action. The author returns to this world in a second series which begins with Broken Lands, and sees Benny Imura return with a host of other characters and further zombie adventures. I’m not sure how successful that will be as the zombie craze never took off in YA like it did with adult horror, but I hope the interest is there. AGE 12+
 
MELISSA MARR: WICKED LOVELY (5 BOOK SERIES 2005-11)
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Whilst Paranormal Romance dominated the YA charts Melissa Marr took us on an eventful detour into the world of faeries with her Wicked Lovely series which has a very cool premise. Teenage Ashyln can see faeries, a gift (or curse) she inherited from her grandmother who also gave her a few basic rules to follow. When Ashlyn sees fully grown faeries walking and talking (invisible to everybody else) amongst humans it is vitally important to ignore them, so that the faeries do not know she can see and hear them. Ashlyn has spent her life studiously avoiding the faeries until a couple of them start following her around and start talking to her like she is some sort of chosen one or prophet. One of the stalkers, a faery called Keenan, has other plans for Ashlyn, which is partly romantic, but also considerably darker.  Ashlyn already has a human boyfriend which complicates things somewhat and before long the novel is knee deep into ancient curses with strong characterisation, some romance and the story told from three points of view. AGE 12+

GARTH NIX: OLD KINGDOM/ABHORSEN (5 BOOK SERIES 1996-2013)

It is relatively easy to get confused with the sequencing of the Old Kingdom dark fantasy novels, sometimes known as the Absorsen series, as they are both set over a long period of time and written over 17 years, with the fourth book, Clariel, being a prequel and other novellas thrown into the mix. Sabriel is most definitely the place to start though and has two outstanding sequels written relatively close together. Eighteen-year-old Sabriel is the daughter of the ‘Abhorson’ whose job is too lay the restless dead to rest, a task in which she helps. However, things take a major turn for the worse when her father disappears and Sabriel has to step up to help save the Old Kingdom from destruction by the horrible forces of the evil undead and endures almost impossible challenges whilst discovering her own supernatural abilities and her destiny. I’m a huge fan of this book and often recommend it as a ‘next step’ dark fantasy to kids whom have read all the Harry Potter novels, it’s seriously good.  AGE 12+
 
RANSOM RIGGS: MISS PEREGRINE’S CHILDREN (5 BOOK SERIES 2011-2020)

A mystery and family tragedy lead a young man to an abandoned orphanage on a remote Welsh island which holds dark secrets and a weird connection to another period in time where the strange and dangerous child inhabitants of the orphanage remain alive. This highly original series mixes atmospheric B/W photography into the mystery whilst retaining a high level of creepiness as the complex story unfolds and the children reveal themselves. The Tim Burton film of the same name managed to recreate a certain amount of atmosphere present in the novel but does differ from the plot in some significant ways and is much lighter in tone. It also has a collection of short stories Tales of the Peculiar and a couple of graphic novels. Book five has only just been published, so who knows, book six may follow. AGE 12+
 
ALEXANDER GORDON SMITH: FURNACE (5 BOOK SERIES 2009-11)

Sadly, these days few kids are aware of the exploits of the legendary Steve McQueen in The Great Escape and his attempts to escape from a German POW camp, however, the Escape from Furnace series has a teenager with a similar character, Alex Sawyer. The boy is forever dreaming of escaping from Furnace Penitentiary which is buried over a mile underground. Convicted of a murder he did not commit Alex vows to escape otherwise only death lies ahead. However, in Furnace there are worse things than death as other kids have found out. Soon Alex discovers that the prison is a place of pure evil, where inhuman creatures in gas masks stalk the corridors at night, where giants in black suits drag screaming inmates into the shadows and where terrible monsters can be heard howling from the tunnels below. And behind everything is the mysterious, all-powerful warden, a great character who lurks in the shadows of the novels. As the series develops, Alex starts to uncover the truth about Furnace's deeper, darker purpose and his actions grow ever more dangerous, risking everything to expose this nightmare that's hidden from the eyes of the world. A very cool fusion of adventure, action and horror. AGE 11+
 
JONATHAN STROUD: LOCKWOOD AND CO (5 BOOK SERIES 2012-17)

There are few more engaging and imaginative fantasy writers effortlessly blending the supernatural with the fantastic than Jonathan Stroud. The Lockwood and Company series takes up back to a very atmospheric 1930s version of Britain where ghosts and spirits start appearing and they aren't exactly friendly. However, only young people have the psychic abilities required to see-and eradicate-these supernatural enemies. Many different Psychic Detection Agencies crop up to handle this dangerous work, but they are in fierce competition with each other for the same business. Lockwood and Company (a couple of teenagers) operate without any adult supervision as they bid for success with limited knowledge, but soon Lucy, Anthony and George find themselves hired to work in one of the most haunted houses in Britain and have to solve the mystery of The Screaming Staircase in the first book of this highly entertaining, inventive and funny series which effortlessly mixes chills with adventure.  AGE 11+