Nothing gets bookworms more excited than an engrossing three-part book series, as it hits the sweet spot of pulling one into its plot while avoiding a long-drawn saga that could potentially hinder its essence. Trilogies also make for the ideal number to pass around among friends and shorten the wait time for a heated post-read discussion. It doesn’t hurt that they have the added potential of making their way into on-screen adaptations.
Some of the most popular movies and TV shows of the 21st century were adapted from beloved novels and continue to leave a lasting impact on viewers and readers alike. They share the story with those who probably don’t enjoy burying their heads in an endless sea of words and chapters. Be it a romantic saga with love triangles and hot make-outs or a dystopian piece with gory monsters and mind-boggling subplots, there’s no doubt that a good trilogy will never go unappreciated. Let’s take a look at seven book trilogies that roped readers in right from the very first book!
1. Divergent by Veronica Roth
First on this list is Divergent by Veronica Roth — a YA classic so engrossing that countless high-schoolers at the time were guilty of secretly reading it in math class. Roth’s debut novel, Divergent, was published in 2011 and is set in a post-apocalyptic interpretation of Chicago. The plot revolves around a society that segregates its citizens by inherent personality traits and aptitude into societal divisions called factions. Individuals can join the ranks of another faction or remain in the one they were born into at the annual Choosing Ceremony. The protagonist, Beatrice Prior, was born into the selfless faction Abnegation, but to the surprise of her family, chooses to join the daring Dauntless.
The novel explores her new identity as Tris as she gradually realizes that the social structure everyone has come to accept may not be as black and white as one assumes. Divergent is the first book in Roth’s trilogy, followed by Insurgent and Allegiant. The series soared in popularity, with all three books being adapted for the big screen by Summit Entertainment, starring Shailene Woodley as Beatrice “Tris” Prior and Theo James as her love interest Tobias “Four” Eaton. The first Divergent movie, released on March 21, 2014, was a box-office success, but unfortunately, its sequels dipped in quality — as is common with most fan-favorite movies.
2. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Israeli–American author Leigh Bardugo’s debut novel Shadow and Bone was published on June 5, 2012. Set in the Russia-esque land of Ravka, the plot tells the story of teenage orphan Alina and follows the classic trope where she wakes up one day and realizes that she possesses special powers. A chilling fantasy adventure set in the Grishaverse, Shadow and Bone explores the newfound changes that ensue in the protagonist’s life.
The novel belongs to a niche genre called Tsarpunk and explores themes of beauty and brutality in the most unique sense. The book is followed by sequels Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising. The Netflix series Shadow and Bone, starring Jessie Mei Li and Ben Barnes, was inspired by Bardugo’s novel. Although Shadow and Bone Season 1 garnered massive fanfare, the show was canceled after two seasons.
Watch Shadow and Bone on Netflix
3. The Maze Runner by James Dashner
One can see a pattern here with dystopian novels dominating this list, but who’s complaining? James Dashner’s The Maze Runner takes place in a dystopian future plagued by an apocalyptic illness called the Flare, in a world suffering from coronal mass ejection. A group of teens void of memories, who’ve termed themselves Grovers, are mysteriously teleported into a giant stone maze that they struggle to escape for days. The novel features 16-year-old protagonist Thomas, a new Grover who enters the maze and holds the key to his friends’ salvation.
The intensely gripping novel is an edge-of-the-seat read that makes it hard to put away. The Maze Runner is followed by sequels The Scorch Trials and The Death Cure. Owing to its widespread popularity, the trilogy was adapted into three movies starring Dylan O’Brien as Thomas, with a reboot currently in the works.
Watch The Maze Runner on Disney+
4. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
As far as romantic trilogies go, The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han is definitely soaring in the list of young-adult reads. Published in 2009 by Simon & Schuster, the book follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin and the summers she spends at Cousins Beach with her mother’s best friend, Susannah, and her sons, the Fisher brothers. Romance brews between the trio, with an ensuing love triangle threatening to ruin their relationship. Including sequels, It’s Not Summer Without You, and We’ll Always Have Summer, the series explores how Belly struggles to choose between her first love, Conrad, and charming blue-eyed boy, Jeremiah.
Owing to its widespread popularity, the trilogy was adapted into a series on Prime Video called The Summer I Turned Pretty. The show stars Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, and Gavin Casalegno in leading roles. It consists of three seasons in total, with the final season set to be released in the summer of 2025.
Watch The Summer I Turned Pretty on Prime Video
5. The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
Renowned author Cassandra Clare, who introduced readers to the glorious world of Shadowhunters, impresses yet again with this gripping trilogy. The Infernal Devices is a trilogy that serves as a prequel to Clare’s previous work, The Mortal Instruments series. It revolves around orphaned teenager Tessa Gray, who discovers that she possesses shape-shifting abilities but, weirdly, doesn’t bear a Warlock’s mark. The novel delves into Tessa’s life as she learns to navigate her newfound powers while being thrust into the unknown world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders. The novel features familiar characters like Magnus Bane and Woolsey Scott and fresh faces like the hot duo of William “Will” Herondale and James “Jem” Carstairs.
The series provides readers with valuable insights that come in handy while jumping into other novels in the Shadowhunter universe. It comprises three books: Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, and Clockwork Princess. Clare’s debut novel, City of Bones, from The Mortal Instruments series, was made into a movie starring Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower called The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and was also later developed into a 3-season series, Shadowhunters, starring Dominic Sherwood and Katherine McNamara.
Watch Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments on Netflix
6. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
For book nerds, the first time reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was nothing short of an epiphany. The dystopian novel, released in 2008, is set in the post-apocalyptic North American nation of Panem, under the control of a highly advanced and low-key creepy government headed by President Snow. The book is written from the perspective of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, with a theme that is a gripping mix of ancient gladiator games and modern-day reality television.
The plot revolves around the Hunger Games, an annual event where each of the 12 districts under the Capitol must send a boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in a televised battle ending with one survivor standing. Katniss volunteers as tribute when her sister is picked in the lottery as she deals with her new reality of being a worthless pawn for the sick amusement of the wealthy and affluent. The novel has two sequels, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. The trilogy was adapted into movies starring Jennifer Lawrence as the street-smart protagonist Katniss Evergreen, with the first installment being released in 2012.
Watch The Hunger Games on Prime Video
7. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before By Jenny Han
Yet another popular YA number by Jenny Han, this list would’ve been incomplete without To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. The book revolves around sixteen-year-old Korean-American Lara Jean Song Covey, who writes letters to boys she has a crush on and stows them away secretly until they mysteriously reach their recipients. The book was inspired by the author’s own habit of writing letters to her high school crushes and explores the tumultuous horrors that ensue when Lara Jean’s crushes receive her heartfelt professions of love.
Two sequels follow the wildly popular novel, P.S. I Still Love You and Always and Forever, Lara Jean. Netflix picked up the trilogy, and all three books were adapted into movies starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. The films quickly became an overnight sensation, which resulted in the release of a spin-off series titled XO, Kitty. Also, check out these 10 TV Shows that ended in 2023.
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