Looking for First Person POV Recommendations

**Xel** · May 15th, 2013, 06:10 PM

Lots of the big epic fantasies are written from multiple POVs, which can be effective when the plot and the world are big and sprawling and complex and there's lots going on. But sometimes I really like the experience of reading an entire book from within a single character's head - you sacrifice some knowledge, but gain a greater depth of understanding of and feeling of closeness to that character and a sense of "completeness" of the story from that viewpoint. And the character usually doesn't die!!!

So I'm looking for recommendations of books/series you like and recommend that are written either in first person (eg, the Farseer books or Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid series), or from a single character's limited third person POV (like Curse of Chalion, or The Riddle Master series I think though the middle book has a different POV character, or Anthony Ryan's Blood Song, which is bracketed by a different character's POV - the chronicler - but still essentially falls into this category if I remember correctly). I tend to have a strong preference for the POV character in this type of book to be male (though I often like female authors), but I'm open to all suggestions.

**txshusker** · May 16th, 2013, 11:41 AM

I think Stephen Brust's Vlad Taltos series is still my favorite 1st POV. Fantasy noir with a sense of humor and the character thinks himself out of a situation instead of turning everything into a bloodbath. The Dresden files are pretty enjoyable as well.

Limited 3rd, I really enjoy Dave Duncan (The Reluntanct Swordsman, and a Handful of Men series) and Lawrence Watt-Evans. Almost everything both write are limited 3rd. All the authors above are very easy reads... you could plow through their material rather quickly.

**Xel** · May 18th, 2013, 09:00 PM

Thanks for these! Dresden and Vlad Taltos have been on my to-read (or to-listen) list for a while, and I'm thinking I'll move them toward the top. I've never read anything by Duncan or Watt-Evans, though, and I know little about them, so I'm interested to look further into those.

Anyone else have thoughts/suggestions?

**Kazaxat** · May 19th, 2013, 02:03 AM

You might try the Kingkiller Chronicles series by Patrick Rothfuss if you haven't already. It's primarily told from the first person viewpoint of Kvothe.

**Kace** · May 19th, 2013, 05:54 PM

Not fantasy, per say, but damn damn good - The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway. Also, try Book of the New Sun and Kate Griffin's Mathew Swift series starting with A Madness of Angels (this series is awesome).

**SCO** · May 20th, 2013, 02:15 PM

Sandman slim series.

BTW if you like 'a madness of angels'; 'london falling' is similar (but better).

**Randy M.** · May 20th, 2013, 02:41 PM

If you like urban fantasy, try Ben Aaronovitch's Midnight Riot (in the U.K., Rivers of London). It takes a cue from old noir novels and is written in what I'd call first person wise-ass. Just read this this year, and I haven't read the next two books in the series yet, but this one was fun.

Randy M.

**gljones** · May 20th, 2013, 07:59 PM

You might try Zelazney, Amber series (the first set is truly the best, the more recent ones, not so much).
I'm biased as these were some of my favorite books of all time, regardles of pov.

**Leothwyn** · May 20th, 2013, 08:08 PM

I'm enjoying the Kushiel books. (Reading the third one now). The writing style reminds me a lot of the Farseer books.

**finnskeeper** · May 22nd, 2013, 01:16 PM

I am currently reading the Spirit Walker Trilogy by Kate Elliot and it might be just what you are looking for. It is more steampunk but well written with interesting characters and world building. And the final book is due to be released in June so it will be a finished series very shortly. I am really enjoying this series

**Eluent** · June 2nd, 2013, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by gljones

You might try Zelazney, Amber series (the first set is truly the best, the more recent ones, not so much).
I'm biased as these were some of my favorite books of all time, regardles of pov.

Ditto : you can't go wrong with those, impeccable style rythm and depth etc

**chris777** · June 3rd, 2013, 09:43 AM

I will second the King Killer and Vlad Taltos suggestions. Chronicles of Amber books 1-5 are worth it. Though at about book 4 it starts getting boring. 1-3 are really good though. These are all almost exclusively one POV.

**Snowy** · June 3rd, 2013, 09:53 AM

I am currently reading (and enjoying massively) Giles Kristian's Raven Blood-Eye, written in first person from the perspective of a member of a viking warband. The roots are in history, but the story carries itself along at a galloping pace, and doesn't hold back from how the period likely was.

Highly recommended.

**Mark Lawrence** · June 3rd, 2013, 03:41 PM

Hmmm.... first person, eh? Fantasy you say?

...

I would have said Hobb's Assassin's Apprentice or Zelazny's Nine Princes in Amber or Crustaceans of Gor... but if they've been taken, well I'm out.

There's another one on the tip of my tongue... Prince of something... no, it's gone.

**chris777** · June 3rd, 2013, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Mark Lawrence

Hmmm.... first person, eh? Fantasy you say?

...

I would have said Hobb's Assassin's Apprentice or Zelazny's Nine Princes in Amber or Crustaceans of Gor... but if they've been taken, well I'm out.

There's another one on the tip of my tongue... Prince of something... no, it's gone.

THORNS!

Always here to help Mark.