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Originally Posted by Anne Lyle  I get that it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but as someone who grew up on soft SF I actually prefer low fantasy to the fireballs'n'dragons school of high fantasy - which is one of the reasons I've delayed reading the rest of ASOIAF  |
I believe I was discussing this with IBrian in a thread in the Steven Erikson forum ...
Anyway, it took me a little time to realise that I really don't like magic-driven plots, unless (maybe) the magic has very well defined rules and limits.
If the characters can create a great spell to solve any problem there's no tension! Also, I just have a very "empirical" world view -- if I can't even begin to verify things via my own experience (if it seems too superstitious or supernatural) I just can't suspend my disbelief.
Which is why I choose to write sci-fi, even though I typically prefer fantasy in terms of its character emphasis and style. In my own writing I make sure that everything seems "scientific" and could, most of the time, really happen.
My favourite fantasy is typically low on magic.
** I LOVE Guy Gavriel Kay, may he live a very, very long time, and write many more amazing books.
** Similarly, GRRM is amazing.
They're my top two, but others that are good for me have been Joe Abercrombie and Paul Kearney (mentioned above).
Please, someone, find me another Guy Gavriel Kay!!! Wouldn't that be amazing.
Anne, thanks, I'll check out Ellen Kushner (as well as The Alchemist of Souls).
Coragem.