Over the years, I've noticed that some books are never published even after they've been announced. Although sometimes reasons are given to address the sudden end to their serialization, I have come across some books that were never published without an explanation as to why they were canceled. So, I thought I'd share a few books that suddenly disappeared whether it be due to a choice the author made or mysterious circumstances that were never addressed.
Best,
C
P.S. If you happen to know why these books never came out, let me know!!!
The Way of the Dodo (Candle Man #3) by Glenn Dakin
Book 1 Official Summary:
Murder, mystery, and adventure aren't your typical birthday presents...
But for Theo, anything that breaks up his ordinary routine is the perfect gift.
A mysterious "illness" and Theo's guardians force him into a life indoors, where gloves must be worn and daily medical treatments are the norm. When Theo discovers a suspicious package on his birthday, one person from the past will unlock the secret behind Theo's "illness" and change his life forever.
Molded into an exhilarating steampunk adventures that gives birth to the next great fantasy hero, Theo Wickland, Candle Man: The Society of Unrelenting Vigilence is the first book in a trilogy by debut author Glenn Dakin.
What happened?
Way back in 2009, a book titled The Society of Unrelenting Vigilance (Candle Man #1) was published. Then, in 2010, Candle Man: The Society of Dread (Candle Man #2) was released. I ate this series up when it came out. I loved the premise of a young boy who could kill with a touch being hidden away from society. However, the third book NEVER came out.
Book #1 in a series about teenagers that were tampered with as babies - injected with a combination of drugs that were designed to leave them with super abilities.
I really have no idea what happened to this one. The back of the second book actually has a Coming Soon announcement with the third book's title (The Way of the Dodo) and a release year of 2012. However, it never happened. I've scoured the internet, especially the author's website, to find out what happened. The series was definitely meant to continue based on the events of the second book (the official summary even says it's a trilogy), but the third book mysteriously disappeared from existence.
Tandem Justice (Justice #3) by Kim Jewell
Book 1 Official Summary:
Book #1 in a series about teenagers that were tampered with as babies - injected with a combination of drugs that were designed to leave them with super abilities.
Over time the teens start to find each other, form a team, and search for answers and the man who did this to them. Likened by readers to X-Men and Heroes, Invisible Justice is a contemporary take on teenage super heroes.
Sam Dixon is a fairly typical teenage boy - great parents, active school life, pesky sister - with a nice life. That is until it is turned upside down when he begins to experience crippling flashes of pain that take over his entire body. It doesn't take him long to realize that these moments of burning torture are changing his body's makeup and leaving behind extra abilities - heightened senses. His new sight, hearing, touch, taste and sense of smell give him powers beyond anything he thought possible. A random meeting at the local hardware store connects Sam with another teen - Leesha Conway - who has also experienced similar flashes, and a very different but powerful ability - telekinesis. As they compare notes and try to make sense of what is physically happening to them, a mystery unfolds.
Each clue they uncover brings more questions to the table, and thus begins the search for the person that is responsible for both the pain and the powers left with them. Dr. Carl Blevins is the man they seek, the one who can give them all the answers. His medical education, combined with his special unit military training, has given him the knowledge he needs to play God with people's lives. His goal is to create an army of super humans equipped to do his bidding. Blevins' past experimentation on adults - conducted in clinical trials during a military research project - ended in death and disaster. Not wanting to give up, he transferred his medical practice to obstetrics and, unbeknownst to the military officials that pulled the plug on the dangerous experiment, restarted his work on newborns.
The combination of dormant drugs he administered in the neonatal unit was designed to kick in as each patient's body matured fully, allowing them to realize their added potential.
As Sam and Leesha look for answers, they discover a list of other teens who could be just like them, and find two more to add to their research team. Lexi, Sam's twin, experiences her series of flashes shortly after Sam's are nearing the end - and finds her gift is the ability to make her body transparent. Clint, the fourth to join the team - and unaffected yet by any flashes - is mysteriously sent by the evil Dr. Blevins to help in the team's efforts. Little do they know it has always been part of Blevins' plan to reunite his kids to work together as a unit.
The four work together to uncover a number of professionals who aided in the medical experiment seventeen years ago, which leads the team on a cross-country trip to interview a pathologist that may have valuable information and ultimately lead them to Dr. Blevins. The teens combine their powers to search for the truth, which takes them down a dangerous journey, but one that is filled with new bonds of friendship and camaraderie.
What happened???
I bought both books in this series and checked often to find out when the third would come out. I remember there being a cover reveal a really long time ago for the third book. There's even a GoodReads page for it: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12962563-tandem-justice. However, one day the author just stopped talking about the book's release.
I've looked everywhere for an answer as to why this book disappeared. However, the author's blog is no longer available and there doesn't seem to be a single explanation for why the third book was never published.
Untitled Intertwined #4 by Gena Showalter
Book 1 Official Summary:
There’s something about the new guy at Crossroads High…
Most sixteen-year-olds have friends. Aden Stone has four human souls living inside him:
One can time travel.
One can raise the dead.
One can possess another human.
One can tell the future.
Everyone thinks he’s crazy, which is why he’s spent his entire life shuffled between mental institutions and juvie. All of that is about to change, however. For months Aden has been having visions of a beautiful girl—a girl who carries centuries-old secrets. A girl who will either save him or destroy him.
Together they’ll enter a dark world of intrigue and danger... but not everyone will come out alive.
What happened???
Spoiler warning for anyone who hasn't read the ending to book 3!!!
Spoiler warning for anyone who hasn't read the ending to book 3!!!
A lot of people may be familiar with Gena Showalter for her adult romance novels or her Alice in Zombieland series, but I know her for one of my favorite YA series -- Intertwined. This series hasn't had a new publication since 2011, and there's been a fourth book in limbo for a very long time. In fact, it's publication date changes every year (this has been happening since 2012).
I know a lot of people have been holding out for this fourth book due to the ending of the third. It was definitely one of those copout endings that pretty much undoes the events of the entire series. Everyone wanted to find out what would happen next: Would Aden do things differently? What will happen to Aden? What's going to happen to Mary Ann?!!!
Due to such a huge build-up of people demanding to know why the "announced" fourth book has not yet been released, Showalter actually addressed what was happening with the series. Essentially, Intertwined is not as popular as and does not make as much money as her other works, so she has chosen to work on the books that are in higher demand. She answered the question on GoodReads (https://www.goodreads.com/questions/393525-will-there-ever-be-a-fourth-book-in-the) and here's her quote:
"The Intertwined series just couldn't find a place in the market, and they were such difficult books to write, I lost my joy for them. They became a chore. I want to love what I do. Had I known it would come to this, I would have given the 3rd a happy ending. I'm truly sorry to those who loved the series!"
However, she recently released a post on her site about how the fourth book could potentially unfold and the direction she wanted the series to go in: http://members.genashowalter.com/page/book-four-final. So, along with many fans of this series, I'll keep my fingers crossed that the fourth book will one day become a reality. We're begging you Ms. Showalter!!!!!
