Hello everyone and welcome to the Friday Book Recommendation,
Thanks for stopping by for today’s book recommendation. If you missed last week’s Recommendation you can read it here We’re jumping back into fantasy today with the first book of one of my favorite series, Prince of Wolves by Dave Gross. It’s set in the Pathfinder RPG universe and stars nobleman and explorer Varian and his bodyguard Radovan. I won’t go too much into the plot since I don’t want to spoil things for any of you that haven’t read it yet. Basically it’s a mystery set in a gothic, monster filled section of the world. I believe the setting is based on Transylvania as depicted in Dracula. I love it by the way.
Interesting as the plot is, the real pleasure comes from the interplay between the two heroes. They are both tremendously likable in their own ways. Varian is a little stiff and proper while Radovan is a rogue with an eye for the ladies.
The story if written in alternating points of view between the two men with no others horning in on their story. This is a great device because it focuses the story and keeps in from wondering off on tangents. I haven’t tried the alternating POV structure in any of my books, but I think I might like to one day.
Another thing I really like, and not just about this book, is the shared world setting. I haven’t counted, but I think at least 10 authors have written novels set in the Pathfinder Universe. For my next project I’m planning on creating a large world that I can explore with different characters, though I don’t plan to share it with other writers.
Do you guys like a shared world series like Pathfinder and Forgotten Realms or do you prefer to follow a single main character thought a series? I actually like both and both worlds offer them. The Drizzt books being an example in the Forgotten Realms world.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
That’s it for this week’s Friday Book Recommendation. Be sure to check in Monday for the subject of the week. After reading this I’ll bet some of you can already guess what it will be about.
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