SERIESous’ Top Book Series: Favourite Series as a Teen
Series: Sisterhood; Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants
Author: Ann Brashares
# of Books: 5
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Drama, Coming of Age, Chick Lit, Contemporary
Heat Rating: cool but gets a little warm
Point of View: Third Person, Alternating (though each book starts with a First Person prologue)
Movie Review: Catch my thoughts on the movies here!
Thoughts:
I credit this series with starting my reading addiction. I was still in elementary school when this series came out and reading was something I did every once and awhile (basically whenever I got a book as a gift). But I devoured Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants in one weekend–literally all I did was sit on the couch and read this book. It was like nothing I had ever read before (again, keep in mind my book reading was minimal at the time) and I got absorbed in it.
I enjoyed reading these books because there was always a lot going on. The plot never seemed to drag because you are essentially reading 4 separate stories that are linked together: so there is always something you are dying to read. Of course, I had my favourite character plotlines and the ones I didn’t enjoy as much. For example Tibby was a character I didn’t particularly enjoy in the first book but really grew on me as the series progressed. Lena was actually the opposite–I really loved her story and then got a little annoyed with her as time progressed. Bridget was always a favourite and Carmen had her ups and downs. But the truth of the matter is that I loved watching these girls grow up and make their way in the world.
One thing I didn’t really like about the books was that because they were set one year apart, I felt like I never got closure about the last summer’s flings. I like knowing what happens and having everything wrapped in a nice little bow and I found with some plotlines I never got that. It was frustrating initially but I eventually moved past it.
The best book in the series was definitely the first one I think–but the rest were also really good. I didn’t totally love the ending of the series, which when I initially read the books was Forever in Blue, if I can recall correctly. I like nice closed endings and I felt like too much was left open. But, for the most part I did like how everything wrapped up.
So when Sisterhood Everlasting, the eventual true ending to the series, was announced and then published, I was a little nervous. It had been 10 years since the first book had been released (4 years since the last book, Forever in Blue) and I just wasn’t sure where it was going to go. But, I have to say I was thoroughly impressed by this book. Not only did it take a completely different plot than expected, it was so heartfelt and touching–I definitely shed a few tears while reading it! Ms. Brashares did a fantastic job of maturing the characters enough for fans who started reading the series 10 years prior but still making it something a teenager would still want to read if they were just starting the series. It was very well done and a much better ending to the series than the 4th book was so for that I am grateful.
Conclusion:
For readers who like stories featuring drama, romance and emphasize friendship, this is a great series to read. Definitely more for the younger set (teens) but still an enjoyable series nonetheless. Also, totally a chick series!
Rating: 4.5/5
Similar Reads:
- Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson #1)
Synopsis for Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (from Goodreads):
Carmen got the jeans at a thrift shop. They didn’t look all that great: they were worn, dirty, and speckled with bleach. On the night before she and her friends part for the summer, Carmen decides to toss them. But Tibby says they’re great. She’d love to have them. Lena and Bridget also think they’re fabulous. Lena decides that they should all try them on. Whoever they fit best will get them. Nobody knows why, but the pants fit everyone perfectly. Even Carmen (who never thinks she looks good in anything) thinks she looks good in the pants. Over a few bags of cheese puffs, they decide to form a sisterhood and take the vow of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants . . . the next morning, they say good-bye. And then the journey of the pants — and the most memorable summer of their lives — begins.