I was on a trip to nationals with the Robotics team (this was back in high school), and I didn't bring along any books. One of my roommates had the first of these books, and I borrowed it and read it and it ended on the worst cliffhanger ever - Hadassah has just been sent to the arena and MAULED BY LIONS!

So I had to read the second. But the second wrapped up Hadassah's storyline, so I steadfastly refused to read the third, which was about Julia's boring gladiator boyfriend.