The book with the male protagonist is The Real Question by Adrian Fogelin. It's not just first POV but also present tense. I'm still undecided on what I thought of the book -- it's not fantasy or sf, just a book about a boy who's never really looked outside the privileged world that was created for his normalcy and on a sudden whim, takes a step into a world he never really knew existed. I liked it, but I don't think it was earth shattering.
I think first is more prevalent than people realize, especially in the urban fantasy market. Chicklit did a lot with it (snappy heroines LOVE first POV) and then there are things like Dresden etc. which also use it. It just can be hard to do right.
I find in writing that books get told however works for them. Changing POV can change the entire feel of the book. I've also read some excellent books which mix the POV, like Elizabeth Bear's Jenny trilogy (Hammered, Scardown, Worldwired) where Jenny's bits are in first, and the rest are in third. And it really works.
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Date: 2009-12-03 03:40 pm (UTC)I think first is more prevalent than people realize, especially in the urban fantasy market. Chicklit did a lot with it (snappy heroines LOVE first POV) and then there are things like Dresden etc. which also use it. It just can be hard to do right.
I find in writing that books get told however works for them. Changing POV can change the entire feel of the book. I've also read some excellent books which mix the POV, like Elizabeth Bear's Jenny trilogy (Hammered, Scardown, Worldwired) where Jenny's bits are in first, and the rest are in third. And it really works.