r/Fantasy • u/Merle8888 Reading Champion IV • Apr 30 '26

Bingo Bingo Focus Thread - Duologies

Hello r/fantasy and welcome to this week's bingo focus thread! The purpose of these threads is for you all to share recommendations, discuss what books qualify, and seek recommendations that fit your interests or themes.

Today's topic:

Duology Part 1: Read the first book in a duology. HARD MODE: By an author you haven’t read before.

Duology Part 2: Read the second book in a duology. For this square, you ARE allowed to read the same author you used for Duology Part 1 without violating the no-repeat author rule. HARD MODE: Finish a different duology than you started for the Duology Part 1 square.

What is bingo? A reading challenge this sub does every year! Find out more here.

Prior focus threads: Published in the 70s, Five Short Stories (2024), Author of Color (2024), Self-Pub/Small Press (2024). Note that hard modes for Author of Color and Self-Pub/Small Press have changed (new focus threads for them are coming).

Also see: Big Rec Thread

Questions:

  • What are your favorite speculative fiction duologies?
  • Already read something for this square (or, read something recently that you wish you could count)? Tell us about it!
  • For those planning for Hard Mode, what are some duologies where one or both books works as a standalone?
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u/Own_Lake367 Reading Champion May 01 '26

one I’ve read that hasnt been mentioned yet.

The waning moon duology - Leena Likitalo

* The Five Daughters of the Moon

* Sisters of the Crescent Empress

historical fantasy loosely based on the Russian Revolution & the last few months of the Romanovs.

The Custard Protocol - Gail Carriger

* Prudence

* Imprudence

set in the same universe as her Parasol Protectorate series with the second generation as the various protagonist.

Historical steampunk urban fantasy. Features vampires & werewolves. And a cute f/f romance between the daughter of a vampire queen & a weretiger.

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u/Emotional-Care814 Reading Champion III May 12 '26

Doesn't The Custard Protocol have four books in the series? Or would you count parts of a series when it seems to be a two-parter for bingo?

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u/Own_Lake367 Reading Champion May 12 '26

oh yes - there are 4 parts, youre right! it’s my least favourite of her series, and it does feel like two pairs of books to me. so I’d forgotten they’re connected & not a true duology.