Dynamic Duology: Why you should read and write them

Duologies in the fantasy genre have grown in popularity over the previously widely accepted trilogy. What is the reason for this new trend? Fittingly, I think the explanation is two-fold. First, publishers are more likely to gamble on a two-part series, especially for newer authors. Second, readers find it easier to emotionally and economically invest in these shorter series. There are probably many more reasons we could examine, but there is no arguing that duologies are here to stay.

Because of my love for a well-written trilogy or longer book series, I avoided duologies. Give me more time with my beloved characters and all the dramatic tension and endless battles. I rarely want it to end.

However, I finally tried duologies, mainly because there were so many on the market that I couldn’t ignore them any longer. To my surprise, I discovered I enjoyed the plot pacing and character development of a two-part book series. Plus, a duology solved my biggest issue with many trilogies by eliminating the sagging middle book that often has a slow pace and lackluster plot. Many authors used the middle book as a setup for the final book, and then *BAM* the third book delivers a fast and furious epic conclusion. With a duology, authors often employ a “fourth act” at the end of book one to set up book two—often with the help of a fantastic cliffhanger (which I love).

There has only been one series where I felt a duology would have benefitted being a trilogy. In this case, I loved book one, but book two was longer, and the writing felt stilted, as if an editor forced the author to cut down their word count, making the storytelling suffer. I only mention that as a cautionary tale to my author friends who plan to write a duology. Make sure you have a clear outline to guarantee the story has room to breathe and flourish. Sometimes, a trilogy is best (and, as I mentioned before, I love a well-developed trilogy).

If you’ve never read a duology, I highly recommend you try one. Many of the top-selling Young Adult fantasy books over the past few years have been duologies. A simple search for “duology” will give you an endless list of mainstream, popular, two-part series.

However, I want to dedicate the rest of this article to a few of my favorite Young Adult Fantasy Duologies that I’ve recently read and highly recommend. These books are hidden gems, featuring compelling stories with clean teen content. I provide the back cover blurbs for the first book to avoid giving spoilers for the second book.

Unbetrothed & Untamed

The Agata Sea Duology

 by Candice Pedroza Yamnitz

Around Agatha Sea, princesses are poised, magically gifted, and betrothed.

So, when seventeen-year-old Princess Beatriz still fails to secure a betrothal, her parents hold a ball. Forming an alliance could mean the difference between peace and war, but Beatriz doesn’t want just any suitor. She’s in love with her best friend, Prince Lux. Marrying Prince Lux will always be a silly dream as long as she has no magical gift.

Princess Beatriz will do whatever it takes to obtain a touch of magic, including making a deadly oath to go on a quest to Valle de Los Fantasmas. A valley where no one comes out alive.

If she can manage to succeed, Princess Beatriz could have everything she desires and secure peace for her kingdom. If she fails, she’ll lose not only her greatest dream but also her kingdom, and maybe even her own life.

NOTE: I previously wrote about Unbetrothed in a former article. CLICK HERE to read the article. Learn more about Candice and her many books at www.candiceyamnitz.com

The Eternity Gate & The Immortal Abyss

The Threshold Duology

by Katherine Briggs

Destroy the key. Save her people and herself.

The Eternity Gate is found, and kings and monsters battle over its legends of treasure. But rumors whisper that someone stole the gate’s ancient key.

Seyo, handmaiden to the princess, keeps three secrets. First, she’s gifted in fire, not light, and may as well be cursed. Second, she translates a prophecy warning that the gate does not offer treasure but judgment. Third, Jorai, the scorned prince and Seyo’s confidant, entrusts her with the key and disappears.

Surrounded by war, Seyo and her companions embark on a journey to seek help from a faraway empire and find Jorai, unaware of the trap awaiting them. But what should Seyo do with the key? Who can survive judgment, especially someone as flawed as her? Will hiding the key—or destroying it—save her people or ensure their defeat?

NOTE: Katherine has ties to the city where I live, and I had the joy of helping her do a book signing at our local Barnes & Noble, as well as an author meet and greet at my local library, of which I am a trustee. She is a delight, and her website is full of great information for young authors. www.katherinebrigg.com

Mortal Sight & Realm of Light

The Colliding Line Duology

By Sandra Fernandez Rhoades

When Worlds Collide, Shadow Wrestles Light

Seventeen-year-old Cera Marlowe wants a normal life; one where she and her mom can stop skipping town every time a disturbing vision strikes. But when a girl she knows is murdered by a monster she can’t explain, Cera’s world turns upside down.

Suddenly thrown into an ancient supernatural battle, Cera discovers she’s not alone in her gifting and vows to use her visions to save lives. But why does John Milton’s poem Paradise Lost keep interrupting her thoughts?

In a race against time and a war against unearthly creatures, will decoding messages embedded in the works of classic literature be enough to stop the bloodshed and protect those she loves?

NOTE: I’ve been a huge fan of this duology for several years. I first heard about it when it won the Young Adult Christy Award in 2021 and it is a comp read for the contemporary fantasy manuscript I’m querying.

As I made this list, I thought of several other duologies that deserve a shout-out. I may have to write a “Part 2” for this article. So stay tuned for more duology recommendations in the future. Until then, happy reading!