What are your views on point of views

[Ann]

Say we have a book series and book 1 or more is written from one, first person perspective.
Do you think the series should stick with this POV throughout the series?
Do you think the author should pick a POV that best serves the story regardless of how the series started?
What do you think, in general, about POV in series?

I have not read the series from which this question bloomed, but I hear it is an issue some people have had with it. I will not name the book, in case it is considered a spoiler.

Thanks!
Ann

[Emma]

If you start writing in first person, I think you should stick to first person for the entire series.
That doesn't mean you have to stick to the same person's perspective in subsequent books, or even in every chapter, but switching between first and third person is a no no for me.

[G.G.]

I understand that some people may not like a change of POV because they might have loved the first book because of its POV. So yeah, i'd be inclined to say to stick with the POV; however, some stories call for something else, and only the writer knows what is best. If done well, fans might complain, but they should still love the sequel.

I have seen people complain (The FIfth Wave) because the sequel was from the POV of different characters and they had hoped to stick with the same from the original, but then again, it was not the first or third problem but a character problem, and only for some. That just reinforced the theory that you cannot please everyone. Your best is all you can do.

[Ann]

It's interesting to think about why authors choose might make certain choices like this.

I personally think you should do what best serves the story you're trying to tell. But it's so difficult to think that it might really upset the reader. I should read some of these series that go through this, like The Fifth Wave, and see what it feels like.

I've been bitten by the curiosity bug. :P

[Sandy]

My two cents as a reader (FWIW) -
If your series is actually a serial - as in the first book has a cliffhanger or cannot stand alone - then stay with the POV in the first book for continuity.

If your series is actually a series of stand alone, but related, books - you can have a different POV for each book without disrupting continuity.

Switching PsOV per chapter - often done in first person and usually doesn't bother me as a reader UNLESS it's not made clear which POV belongs with which chapter. Then it gets confusing.

[Ann]

Sandaidh wrote: "My two cents as a reader (FWIW) -
If your series is actually a serial - as in the first book has a cliffhanger or cannot stand alone - then stay with the POV in the first book for continuity.

If ..."

That's an interesting thought... Serial VS Series. The first book of series almost always fall on the side of standalone, but not so much the second or more. So with your thoughts, it would seem to be preferable to stick with the POV(s) you choose for the second book :) (This fascinates me)

[Stan]

Chirpyreading wrote: "Say we have a book series and book 1 or more is written from one, first person perspective.
Do you think the series should stick with this POV throughout the series?
Do you think the author should ..."

I didn't, but my post-apocalypse series covers several years. The first book POV is from the omniscient narrator's view. The second book POV is from a girl who was barely more than a minor character in the first book. The third book POV is from a major character in the first two books. The fourth book POV is from the omniscient narrator, about a man who was a boy in the first book, but was not named until the second book, where he became a major character. The fifth book POV is from a teenager who didn't appear until late in the first book. My series is the story of how a group of teenagers and kids built a community.

There are different ways to do a series. A major influence of mine was a series of books by Jude Deveraux who wrote the story of four girls in medieval times. They married four brothers, and there are scenes in common in all four books. I found that idea appealing.

[Garfield]

Sandaidh wrote: "My two cents as a reader (FWIW) -
If your series is actually a serial - as in the first book has a cliffhanger or cannot stand alone - then stay with the POV in the first book for continuity.

If ..."

Good reply...i concur

[Stan]

Sandaidh wrote: "My two cents as a reader (FWIW) -
If your series is actually a serial - as in the first book has a cliffhanger or cannot stand alone - then stay with the POV in the first book for continuity.

If ..."

Good point

[J.L.]

I'm not a big fan of first person stories. I wish I knew why, because there are a few books with stories that sound really good and I'd really like to read them, but I just can't get to them.

So, from my personal experience, if I really got into the first book and then had to read the sequel from a new perspective, I wouldn't be thrilled.

However, RA Salvatore's Dark Elf novels have a few chapters in each of his books where Drizzt narrates his thoughts on certain events, and those little pieces I really love. In that sense I'd say I wouldn't mind it if it's worked into the story, but otherwise I don't think I'd enjoy a total perspective shift like that.

[Ashlee]

As long as the original narrator is still around when the other POVs are added then I'm fine with this I.e. Divergent - Tobias is added for the last book but Tris still has half the chapters. Same with Bloodlines - Adrian is added for books 4, 5 and 6 but Sydney still has half the chapters

An exception is when a 'series' stays within the first book's world but the focus of the story shifts to different characters e.g. Graceling or in lots of romance series where books can be standalone with their own HEA but still part of a series

Shifting from first person in one book to third person in another is really weird though. I can't think of an example of this off the top of my head

[Ann]

Ash wrote: "As long as the original narrator is still around when the other POVs are added then I'm fine with this I.e. Divergent - Tobias is added for the last book but Tris still has half the chapters. Same ..."

I'm currently reading Graceling and didn't know it was part of a series. I hope I'll be interested in continuing after the first book so I can see what you mean. :)