Third Person that’s Like First

Posted July 21, 2012 by elizatilton in Uncategorized / 9 Comments

Have you ever read a book written in third person that feels like first? I have and it’s one interesting read.

One of the reasons that most YA tends to be written in first person POV is because it’s immediate. You can connect to the character where as third tends to be distance. One of my novels, a fantasy, was originally written in third person omnipresent. I had a lot of positive feedback, but to me, something was missing. It wasn’t until I was working on  another novel, written in first person POV that I saw the difference. I ended up re-writing my entire fantasy in first and wow, what a difference.

If only I could write like Isla J Bick.

Isla J Bick is the author of ASHES a gripping, post-apocalyptic YA read. The book is written in third person but you’d never know. There were a times I was reading and I’d come across the word she and it would jar me. I’d become so engrossed with the character and her world that I connected to everything she was experiencing. This is the first book I’ve ever come across like that.

Isla J Bick has definitely perfected the art of close 3rd person POV.

If you haven’t read ASHES, you should. It will haunt you until the very end.

Below is the goodreads blurb.

Ashes (Ashes Trilogy, #1)

It could happen tomorrow . . .

An electromagnetic pulse flashes across the sky, destroying every electronic device, wiping out every computerized system, and killing billions.

Alex hiked into the woods to say good-bye to her dead parents and her personal demons. Now desperate to find out what happened after the pulse crushes her to the ground, Alex meets up with Tom—a young soldier—and Ellie, a girl whose grandfather was killed by the EMP.

For this improvised family and the others who are spared, it’s now a question of who can be trusted and who is no longer human.

Author Ilsa J. Bick crafts a terrifying and thrilling novel about a world that could be ours at any moment, where those left standing must learn what it means not just to survive, but to live amidst the devastation

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9 responses to “Third Person that’s Like First

  1. I love the kind of third person writing where it doesn't even matter that you aren't right in the head of the MC. I hadn't heard of the author you mentioned so thanks for the heads up:)

  2. I've seen the title a few places but haven't read much about the author or the story. The premise is scarily one that is so very possible in our electronically dominated world. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

  3. Oh, thanks for the rec. I love to read in 1st person because usually you get to know more about what the character thinks, and I like that. Thanks for letting me know about this book! <3