This post was originally published in February 2021. It has been updated with 15 fantastic duologies.
Duologies were made for you if you’re looking for more than a standalone novel but less than a series.
Prior to joining bookstagram, I had never even heard the term “duology.” I had no clue there was a name for a two-book series, or even that they existed in the first place. I was fully aware of trilogies and longer series. Of course, I also knew about standalone novels. When I discovered how duologies could pack a huge punch without an endless number of books, I was fascinated! I immediately started searching for new titles to read.
Over the last few years, I’ve picked up some great duologies and in this article, you’ll find fifteen of my top picks. One of my all-time faves, All the Stars and Teeth, is featured in these photos! There are so many incredible high-seas adventures jam-packed into those two books. They’re so captivating that you’ll fly straight through them!
In this list, you’ll notice almost entirely YA SFF, because that is the genre that seems to have the most by way of duologies. However, I did include a couple of adult picks that I really enjoyed as well. Whether you’re a veteran sci-fi/fantasy reader or you’re new to the genres, you’ll find something to enjoy in these duologies.
related posts
How to Read More Books // Why I Switched from Goodreads to The StoryGraph // How to Utilize a Planned Monthly Reading List
15 Duologies to Read Right Now
You can find a synopsis of each book below by clicking on the “add on StoryGraph” button. There are also links to buy from your favorite retailer. Visit my StoryGraph account to see my ratings – and check out my bookstagram account for more aesthetic photos of books and coffee!
King of Scars
by Leigh Bardugo
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones
Strange the Dreamer
by Laini Taylor
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
The Wilderwood
by Hannah Whitten
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
The Shepherd King
by Rachel Gillig
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
The Curious Realities
by Sara Ella
Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Echo North
by Joanna Ruth Meyer
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin
by Roseanne a. Brown
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
Sands of Arawiya
by Hafsah Faizal
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
The Cardplay Duology
by Brittany M. Willows
Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Barnes & Noble
Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Barnes & Noble
Gumiho
by Kat Cho
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
The Last Finestra
by Emily Thiede
Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Amazon | Blackwell’s | Bookshop | Waterstones | Libro.fm | Barnes & Noble
Ready Player One
by ernest cline
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
All the Stars and Teeth
by Adalyn Grace
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
Bone Grace
by Kathryn Purdie
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Blackwell’s | Waterstones | Libro.fm
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All the Stars and Teeth | All the Tides of Fate | coconut wax bookish candle (ESPRESSO10) | wooden cake tray | single-serve French press | mug & saucer | sweater | similar birdcage | pine cones
Have you read any of the duologies from my list? Do you have any favorites that I didn’t mention?
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I agree to be honest sometimes you need more than a singular read but less than a series. The ready player one books sound like a winner to me x
Definitely! I hadn’t realized how helpful duologies would be, but now I absolutely love them. They’re a game-changer. I highly recommend Ready Player One. The audiobook is phenomenal (it’s the only fiction novel my husband enjoyed as well)!
How interesting! I have never heard of the term “duology” but that makes total sense but it’s technically not a series lol! American Royals has been on my list for quite a while now!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Haha! I relate to that. I hadn’t heard of it prior to bookstagram but now I know why it’s so popular. It’s lots of story without as many books, which is especially nice for someone who doesn’t like to stick with a super long series. I think you’d really like American Royals!
For some reason, I always thought duologies were practically non-existent. I could think of a few, but for the most part, books seem to come in trilogies or bigger. But seeing this list proves me wrong. I like the idea of duologies because they finish the story fairly quickly. I did try to read Strange The Dreamer but just couldn’t get into the first book enough to finish it. I’m going to have to make an effort to read some of these, especially the Gumiho duology by Kat Cho, which I have been eying for a while now.
Well, I’m happy to prove that original theory wrong with this list! And I know this is only scratching the surface with how many excellent duologies actually exist. I’m bummed that you couldn’t get into Strange the Dreamer. That one captured my attention from the moment it started – but everyone has different tastes. The Gumiho books are great! They’re so unique.
I’d never heard the term duology either! I should check some of these out. I’m currently on book 2 of a trilogy (Shift in the ‘wool’ series by Hugh Howey) and after that I should move on to a duology!
Isn’t it the perfect term, though? I loved learning about it when I joined bookstagram. And there are so many awesome stories that are part of two-book series like these!
We love the American Royals duology. Great recommendations!!
The first one was especially great, in my opinion. I’ll admit I wanted a bit of a stronger ending, but it still definitely wrapped everything up in a nice, neat bow!
I haven’t heard of the term ‘Duology’ until reading this post Stephanie! I like the sound of these Duology series of books you’ve mentioned here x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Well, I’m so thrilled to introduce the term to you! 🙂 It’s fun to find two-book series like these. They’re a whole lot of story packed into a small number of books!
Duology is a new format to me, but considering how some series push it for soooo long, I kind of like it already!
Some of these books are going straight to my TBR, thank you for recommending them x
Agreed! That’s why duologies can be so great. I think some series are just too long. Trilogies have always been my favorite, but now I’m becoming a huge fan of duologies as well!
I really loved Katharine McGees books! She is such a great writer. I also enjoyed the waiting for Tom Hanks books!
Honestly, her series, “The Thousandth Floor,” is my very favorite of what she’s written! But the American Royals books were cute too!
Ahhh the Kyoshi books!!! I love ATLA but I haven’t gotten around to reading them just yet, but they sound super cool! Thanks for sharing ❤️
Ooooh, well if you like AtLA, you’re going to love the Kyoshi Novels. They’re really fun and it’s such a great backstory. When I finished, I wanted to go back and watch the shows all over again!
I always a fan of duologies or trilogies more than a series (but it depends on the story actually). American Royals has been on my list to read! Thanks for sharing this Steph x
It definitely depends on the books, but trilogies have always been my top pick as well! Duologies are really great because it’s even more story with even fewer books. They’re great when I don’t have a ton of time to commit to reading.
I haven’t heard of these books before. I am wanting to read more this year as I think I only read one book last year (I think!) how terrible is that? I just put other things in front of reading to relax. I have some great books and got 2 new books for my 30th birthday last week so I am excited to read more and discover new books. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
Oh wow! None of them? I’m so surprised by that, but simultaneously I’m thrilled to introduce some of them to you! Some people don’t enjoy reading as much, so that’s alright, but I do hope you’re able to get to some titles you like this year!
I think I’ve only read one duology in all my life because I don’t find them around much. Thanks for these recommendations!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
I’m so glad that I was able to add a few more titles to your list!
I loved Ready Player One – but didn’t enjoy Two at all. I didn’t enjoyed American Royals so but inclined to pick Majesty. Rest are all new to me and I will check them out.
❥ tanvii.com
That’s a huge bummer to hear. I’ve been looking forward to it. My husband doesn’t enjoy fiction at all, but he loved the first one, so we have plans to enjoy the second one on audiobook together. The funny thing about American Royals is that I LOVED the first book, but the second one wasn’t my favorite. It was just a good duology overall, so I knew I wanted to include it 🙂
I had never heard the term duology until very recently either. A single book that followed a previous tome was just…a sequel! But I guess it makes sense in the grand scene of series and trilogies to have a specific word for a series that’s only two books.
I haven’t read many duologies so this is a great starting point!
I mean, they still are sequels, but they’re also the finale book and I love that. It’s so fun to have a two-book series that is so much story in so few books!
There are so many titles that I’d like to read in this post! Strange The Dreamer, Bone Crier’s Moon… they seem amazing! Thanks for sharing. Duologies ARE great and I’m definitely looking for reading more of them!
Great choices right there. I think you’ll enjoy the beautiful writing and world development in Strange the Dreamer, specifically!
I had no idea there were just duologies! Perfect if you want a little more but not too much!
Xo, steph
I’ve never heard of a duology either but I love that you have provided this round-up (with extensive reviews!) so I can check out some possible reads. Thanks!
I’ve also never heard that word before; thx for explaining. Also, the two books American Royal and Majesty looks like interesting books 🙂
I love a good duology! I would HIGHLY recommend Incarceron and Sapphique by Catherine Fisher. These two books are so intricate, beautifully written, and creative. If you haven’t checked them out yet, I would absolutely recommend doing so. Those are two of my most favorite books that I’ve read in a long, long time.
Also, just wanted to say that your blog is GORGEOUS. 🙂
xoxo,
Sydney
http://www.thelotuslist.blogspot.com
I always love your recommendations! Adding these to my library list now.
I had never heard the term ‘duology’ until today! I’m delighted that I’m not the only one! Might I add one? Charlie N. Holmberg’s ‘spellbreaker’ and ‘spellmaker’ duology. Utterly charming!
I’m embarrassed to say that I haven’t read any of these duologies before (please don’t judge!). I’ve added all of them to my list, so I’m super excited to dive into these. Also great blog! Just found it today, and you definitely have a new follower 🙂 xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
I’ve got some really great reading recommendations from this; thanks! I have been looking for something that I don’t normally read to get into so this was perfect.
Ooh I love this! So many of these are on tbr; both of the Grishaverse duologies have been on there for so long now, and I’m thinking this year will be the one where I finally get to them! I’m really excited for Six Crimson Cranes, A Song Of Wraith And Ruin and We Hunt The Flame too, haha. Thank you so much for sharing such a great list x
I just LOVE this topic here and to be honest as much as I love series, there is something so unique about a dulogy. Its actually my favorite because it offers a lot of depth to a relationship. Sometimes Standalones just don’t satisfy me enough (which is why I read series more often haha). I haven’t read any of the one’s that you listed, however, I just read adult romance which is probably why. But I have heard of many of these, and I am glad to know that you enjoyed so many of these.
Happy Reading!
I pinned this so I can refer back to it – so many great suggestions! I love a long series (currently reading the Dragon Blood series – which if you haven’t read i highly recommend, I feel like it’s right up your alley!) but it’s got like 9 books and it’s nice sometimes to have just 2 books to get resolution to a story line.
I came across your post while searching for “duology.” Your post helped find the answer I searched for, and I enjoyed reading. Also, I shared this post link in a comment on my site in a conversation with an author friend about writing a duology.
I love duologies. Sometimes I just don’t want to commit to long series😂 The Monk and the Robot series is currently a duology, it’s one of my faves🤩
I absolutely LOVE Monk & Robot. I definitely thought Becky was continuing the series haha but if not, that will happily be added to my favorite duology list 😉
I do enjoy duologies when I’m able to find one that interests me. They are the perfect length to really get into a story. Great post.
Great post! Six of Crows is one of my favorite duologies along with We Hunt the Flame. I like duologies for very similar reasons, they’re nice to pick up when I don’t feel like committing to a 3+ book series. Thanks for sharing!
I didn’t know the term “duology” until I joined Bookstagram either! So many of these are on my list and there are a couple that I just need to get to the “duo” part and read the next book LOL. I love this list!
I love duologies…I understand why fantasy books are often in trilogies or series (hello, worldbuilding), but honestly it’s nice to find a good standalone or duology. Currently I have the Six of Crows duology sitting on my bedside table, borrowed from a friend. Sadly I haven’t made time to read it yet, but one day!
Have you read the These Hollow Vows trilogy by Lexi Ryan? It involves the fae. It’s YA, but in the upper age range. I finally bought the second book to finish it this year.
Same here! Before bookstagram, I didn’t know of the term “duology”. I really like reading duologies because sometimes I can’t commit to a series because of how busy I am, but also, I do not like reading standalones as I might be too attached to characters or the world they’re in. 🙁
I’ve yet to complete the Six Crimson Crane duology (the second book is sitting on my shelf and staring at me!)
The shift from trilogy to duology has been interesting to me, as a bookseller. Not complaining, though! Good list of books here–a lot of fun reads!
I’ll have to remember to come back to this list as lately I’m just not into starting trilogies or series of books. It’s such a commitment! And I feel like the only person sometimes who hasn’t read any of Bardugo’s books outside of the Shadow and Bone trilogy. I’ll read them one day!!
Also, did you change your commenting system by installing that wpDiscuz plug-in? It looks a little different I think? But I’m not sure if the cookies have just saved my commenting info now.
I like how in duologies you get more but not too much that the story is ruin.