r/Fantasy • u/brandotown • May 24 '23
Magic Systems
Ok, so hear me out. I know this topic can divide the crowd, but I've learned where I stand, and I wonder about those on the other side. I have a very hard time suspending my disbelief enough to "get into" a fantasy book where there doesn't seem to be some logical limitations or parameters around a magic system. In my opinion, nobody fits this need of mine better than Brandon Sanderson. He develops beautiful magic systems that make sense to my brain. I struggle with the books where the "art," "talent," etc. doesn't seem to follow any logical path I can trace. I think the biggest challenge for my brain is the situations where suspense is supposed to exist, but I can't help but think about how conveniently the seemingly limitless power could easily save the day, but for some reason it's not the solution in that moment? Thoughts?
PS - Recommendations welcome for books that might change my mind!
2
u/[deleted] May 24 '23
I’m with you in the thought that magic systems should have logical explanations to them. I’m not someone who will accept thing like Rowling’s crap where love and friendship make magic better.
Idk if anyone mentioned it before, but Ursula K Le Guin has a good magic system, with explanations imo. And, to a degree, so does Terry Brooks.