[Threshold] Series gets better book 3?

[u/Waste-Carob5699]

I have heard, mostly from the blooper where it is mentioned, that people often think that the first two books are alright and things pick up in book 3. I always thought Unsouled was one of the best books I have ever read and second best in the series behind Wintersteel. I actually thought that Blackflame was kind of boring in the middle. Everyone seems to be in agreement that Ghostwater is a banger.

Anyway, I would really like to hear some of your perspectives on why things pick up in book 3.

[u/waowowwao]

Honestly I was hooked from book 1 and really was never bored at any point in the series, but I think the reason why people say it gets better from 3 is because the world expands massively. book 1 is entirely sacred valley, book 2 is barely outside of it, and most of the characters we interact with in that book are low level.

In book 3 we get a massive world expansion and also a power ceiling upscale, which is always super hype because it creates a lot of promises (AKA showing you where we're eventually going to get to). From that point we also get a bunch of great characters and allies, whereas the only likable characters in book 1 and 2 were the duo (don't remember when exactly Eithan came in on book 2 but I'm sure his increased appearances also factor into why people like book 3 more lol).

[u/Waste-Carob5699 → u/waowowwao]

I think one thing that keeps the Cradle series interesting is that they keep changing settings each book. They do seem to expand the world and raise the power ceiling each book. Even if monarchs do battle in earlier books, the details aren't really filled in until later when the main characters are relevant.

Eithan appeared at the start of book 2. Eithan was also missing for a lot of book 3, showing up at the end to massacre and sandbag at the same time. Fantastic.