[Lacedaemonian]

I won't defend my last statement, though it was made after I had just come off a 12 hour night shift. Magic is an important device in fantasy. In fact the absence of magic from a fantsy novel begs the question, is it a fantasy novel? I love ancient history and mythology, but I don't like to see fantasy writers butcher it and simply replace names with ones of there own etc etc. Let's face it you might as well just read your ancient histories/mythologies, as they are better written and original. The point I was making, was simply that the use of gods in their physical form is extremely dangerous territory. The use of magic is less dangerous territory, but needs to be handled with great care. The poor construction of magic has spoilt a fair few would be good novels. My opinion. The parameters that the author puts into place for his/her magic is vital. However, the authors need to explain these parameters can also spoil the novel. It is this 'need to explain' that has not allowed me to enjoy the science fiction genre. "How does the machine operate?" Don't know, don 't care! Most fantasy books are childish. Saying that, I love the Narnia works, Harry Potter and so on. If somebody can name one fantasy novel which uses gods in their physical form with success, then by all means let me know. Homer and Virgil are not childish, but they are a little outdated..... Fancy throwing that at me. tut tut tut. Why not throw the bible at me?