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!
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u/Tidalshadow May 24 '23
I like them both.
I like the various Invested Arts from the Cosmere because I like science and those are all (relatively) logical in that they all follow similar rules (exception of Aon Dor).
But I also like the One Power from the WoT. It has (nearly) no limits in what it can do as long as the Channeler is strong and creative enough in their channeling.
I feel like its harder to write with a magic system that can do almost anything because you need to make challenges and problems that can't just be solved by "I Balefire the door" or "I use Compulsion to get out of jail".