How do you feel about the structure with alternating chapters focusing on different characters?

[Carl]

I'm used to it, having read some of the books that Daniel Abraham writes with Ty Franck under the James S.A. Corey pseudonym. They certainly are not the first to do this, but most of my recent reading of this style is from Abraham.

I like it. When reading bigger series like this it is enjoyable to be able to spend time with one character or group of characters and then cut away to find out what else is happening with the world. It is a highly effective method of building a big world, showing but not telling the reader about this universe the author has created.

I also think it builds and alternately breaks tension effectively. It makes for easy reading when one is busy because you can read fit in a chapter fairly easily and then step away without losing the thread of what is happening in the book.

[Mihai]

It is not the first time I read a novel structured this way and I have to say that it is a style that works for me. It is teasing in some way, I become attached more to a certain character or some particular story arc and I am eager to find out what happens next. Still, going from character to character is easier for the bigger picture. Also, this way the sense of the world is more easily created and felt.

[Carl]

Mihai wrote: "It is not the first time I read a novel structured this way and I have to say that it is a style that works for me. It is teasing in some way, I become attached more to a certain character or some ..."

I compare it to a novel I love, The Lord of the Rings, where you will go whole HUGE sections without knowing what is happening with the other characters. I like that on some levels. Sanderson does that to a degree with The Way of Kings. But my preference is this style, where you get a little bit with each character or character group and then your focus is taken elsewhere.

[Deanna]

The alternating chapters are working for me. However, I tend to like this style of storytelling. I like jumping from one character to another --- it gives me different perspectives on the world, characters and even the timeline at times. For me, it keeps the story moving without me feeling bored as the change up keeps things from becoming stagnant (usually).

I will say, this style reminds me a lot of the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin. I also am reminded of The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. These books are different but I cannot help but feel there is similarities within The Dragon's Path.

[Carl]

Deanna wrote: "The alternating chapters are working for me. However, I tend to like this style of storytelling. I like jumping from one character to another --- it gives me different perspectives on the world, ch..."

I feel some similarities to those two as well, Deanna. I too think this style keeps the story moving forward, and at a brisk enough pace that you don't feel you are getting bogged down.

[Sue]

Carl wrote: "I'm used to it, having read some of the books that Daniel Abraham writes with Ty Franck under the James S.A. Corey pseudonym. They certainly are not the first to do this, but most of my recent rea..."

As a great fan of George R.R. Martin I have found that this is actually quite a neat way to ease into a massive story. By separating the strands of the story so completely it makes it easier to remember aspects of each one because they all have their distinctive cast of characters, locations, etc. at first. I also enjoy seeing a plot unfold from various points of view, some of which might be totally opposed to others.

I know that some of Mr Martin’s best work has come from taking hated characters and giving us their POV. I am thinking especially of Jaime Lannister, whose character becomes so much interesting and sympathetic once he becomes a narrator. I wonder if we will see similar changes in narration later in the series.

[Sue]

Carl wrote: "Mihai wrote: "It is not the first time I read a novel structured this way and I have to say that it is a style that works for me. It is teasing in some way, I become attached more to a certain char..."

I have to say that the structure of The Two Towers and The Return of the King is my biggest criticism of the The Lord of the Rings as a book: it is almost insane to spend so much time away from your major characters!

[Susan]

Carl wrote: "I'm used to it, having read some of the books that Daniel Abraham writes with Ty Franck under the James S.A. Corey pseudonym. They certainly are not the first to do this, but most of my recent rea..."

I don't mind this style either. Having read other books by other authors, several of which are mentioned here in the discussions, it is not a bother. A luxury item would be chapter numbers, but I am not going to shy from a book that lacks them.

[Kelly]

I love this style. It makes the reading go very quickly and BEGS me to read more. It steps away from each situation long enough for me to be intrigued by another, yet not so long that that I find myself saying "oh yeah, that's what they were doing"...lol Very much enjoying it :)

[Deanna]

Sue wrote: "Carl wrote: "I'm used to it, having read some of the books that Daniel Abraham writes with Ty Franck under the James S.A. Corey pseudonym. They certainly are not the first to do this, but most of ..."

I completely agree with you Sue. I had the same thoughts as you while I was reading.

[Mihai]

I love both George RR Martin and Patrick Rothfuss. Maybe this is the reason for enjoying this style of unfolding the story. It is also nice to see a certain plot regarded from different POVs.

[Lynn]

I really enjoy reading from the different POV perspectives - it just feels like it gives you a more rounded picture of what's actually going on. I loved this style in Game of Thrones and like Sue says once you read something from another perspective it usually makes their actions more understandable and gives you more sympathy for them.

[Brittain]

The nice trick with multiple POV like this is being able to avoid black and white. I think a less ambitious author would have picked sides in the small potatoes war, or at the very least set up a clearly bad person, but instead Abraham gives us four views of the conflict and keeps our sympathies with people, not empires. The constantly shifting perspectives may be specifically designed to keep the reader from forming an attachment to one side this early in the story.

[Mihai]

The only thing with this structure, however, is that it takes away something from the possible surprises. For example, at the battle of Vanai I knew that Geder will escape alive because there are further chapters named after him. And that is a bit predictable.

[Sue]

Brittain wrote: "The nice trick with multiple POV like this is being able to avoid black and white. I think a less ambitious author would have picked sides in the small potatoes war, or at the very least set up a c..."

I agree: it certainly adds to the complexity of the characters and makes the whole story more interesting.

[Sue]

Mihai wrote: "The only thing with this structure, however, is that it takes away something from the possible surprises. For example, at the battle of Vanai I knew that Geder will escape alive because there are f..."

Unless he does the same as Mr Martin and leaves someone blinded or dying at the end of the book while we all have to wait for the next in the series! :D

[Starr]

I like the alternating chapters, it helps me keep the story straight, and remember who's doing what where. I didn't like the fact that there was one part where marcus and the caravan was mentioned (in someone else's chapter) but they were not identified as Marcus and company. I like the fact that you get the behind the scenes of the plot and story from all involved.

[Lynn]

Starr wrote: "I like the alternating chapters, it helps me keep the story straight, and remember who's doing what where. I didn't like the fact that there was one part where marcus and the caravan was mentioned ..."
I agree. I like the different perspectives. It gives a more rounded view.