Throwdown Thursdays: Single vs Alternating vs Multiple POV

Since the beginning of time, similar things have always been compared to each other: Pepsi or Coke? Lemon or Lime? Boxers or Briefs? And books are no exception!

In January, I announced that I was taking Throwdown Thursdays–an original feature on my blog–to the meme-leagues by making it a monthly meme others could join in on. The idea is I select two combatants and the blogger is the one who decides who wins. This can be done through a series of three rounds or my listing the pros/cons or however they see fit. Then, we all publish our posts on the last Thursday of the month and see what everyone else selected as the winner.

If you participated, please add your link to the linky below!

Single POV vs Alternating POV vs Multiple POV

I was inspired to make this duel thanks to the earlier Throwdown Thursday topic of First Person POV vs Third Person POV. I’ve never really gave this much conscious thought besides the little factoid I fill in when I do reviews on my blog–meaning it isn’t criteria that I use when picking what book to read next. A majority of the time, I don’t even know if the book is in third or first person, let alone how many POV I get.

I know when I posted the topic for this month’s Throwdown, I didn’t add “Multiple” but since I create this meme every month, I figured I have the creative licence to do so. I’m also forgoing my usually rounds, and instead have listed my pros and cons of each POV type.

POV 1: Single Character

PROS:
- usually stronger character development of protagonist
- other characters & their motives remain a mystery
- fosters a stronger connection to the main character
CONS:
- can dampen other characters’ development
- hard to make connections with other characters due to “lens” of narrator
- if you find the narrator annoying or boring, you’re stuck with them!
IDEAL STORY TYPE:
- mysteries / suspense novels
- when there are mysterious love interests
FAVOURITE SINGLE POV STORIES:
- Adorkable by Cookie O’Gorman
- Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren

Find More: First Person, Single POV | Third Person, Single POV

POV2: Alternating Characters

PROS:
- usually stronger character development of love interests
- get both sides of the story / different perspectives
- faster plot lines; more interesting
- if you don’t like one character/narrator, you might like the other
CONS:
- can lose sense of mystery
- one character may seem more developed than other
IDEAL STORY TYPE:
- romances
- stories with antagonists
FAVOURITE SINGLE POV STORIES:
- Love Lies and Spies by Cindy Anstey
- Until It’s Right by Jamie Howard

Find More: First Person, Alternating POV | Third Person, Alternating POV

POV 3: Multiple Characters

PROS:
- get both sides of the story / different perspectives
- faster plot lines; more interesting
- if you don’t like one character/narrator, you might like the other
- better world-building
CONS:
- can be overwhelming
- may not like majority of character
- can get bored with other characters’ storylines
IDEAL STORY TYPE:
- fantasy novels
- suspense novels
- historical romances
FAVOURITE SINGLE POV STORIES:
- Rook by Sharon Cameron
- Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

Find More: First Person, Multiple POV | Third Person, Alternating POV

Ultimate Winner: Depends on the Genre

Final Comments: For me, it all comes down to the story type. I’ve noticed recently that it is weird for my to read New Adult romances that only have one character’s POV–I’m so used to get both love interests perspectives (alternating POVs) that it is weird not to at times. I also love a lot of things happening in my stories and often that requires multiple POVs. Then again, sometimes wish I was a left a little in the dark when it comes to certain characters and their “secrets”–not everything needs to be revealed right from the get-go.