Fantasy Lovers discussion

There's some amazing and original fantasy out there, and some mediocre stuff as well. But all that aside, what annoys you the most/makes you want to throw the book at the wall?

Personally, I get really annoyed at the whole my-only-reason-for-existence-is-to-have-a-special-baby-who-will-save-the-world character. A woman, of course. It's just so ... easy. A child (almost always male) who will unite the world in a time of peace YAWN.

That's my biggie. Anyone else?

Okay, I just have to say this -

If you are subtly hinting about Eddings, I don't want to hear about it. Sure, he's kinda unoriginal, but he is my favorite author, and I positivly ADORE his writing.

Now that I've got that out of my system, I don't like the sweet little perfect princess/prince thing. You'll never completly enter the world of wherever it is if you can't believe in the characters. ie: (I know this'll drive everyone nuts. Sorry!) in the Belgariad Ce'Nedra is NOT everyone's ideal princess. She's tiny, throws temper tantrums like a pro, she can never make up her mind, and she's not even HUMAN! Not you're typical perfect character, which is why I love her.

I haven't much Eddings, I didn't know he used that device - but now that I do, I'm sorry but it only reinforces my determination not to read any! Ouch, I know.

Definitely, flawed characters work the best. We can relate to them more, we can care about them more, and they're just more interesting! But a kid with a sulky temper does not a flaw make, it's just an irritating character! (I think I'm thinking of Eragon here - I can see that character getting a real complex what with everyone looking up to him and all. As if.)

No, Eddings does NOT use that stupid thing, but seeing as you have not read much of Eddings, I was simply stating that you have been known to insult Eddings in the past and if you do have that misconception that his characters are like that, I don't want to hear about it. Ok-e-doke?

I'm sorry, but I cannot stand dragons. They're okay in the classic Grimm's stories, but knights battling fearsome fiery dragons to save the damsel in distress (always a beautiful blond, I note) in books written recently is kind of annoying.

I totally hate dragons. I started out liking them, but there are WAY too many books with dragons in them. (cough cough Eragon) I agree with you, Shannon. I did sort of like Eragon but he was really annoying. And just from reading the backs of Eddings books, the storys sound like Eddings plagerized himself. You know, the same old plot, but with new names.

Michelle, don't go there with me. We already had this discussion, remember? Eddings is THE best author ever, so just zip it.

I cannnot stand it when a leader-figure dies, like a father or surrogate father or something, and the young princling/farmboy has to find the strenghth to go on without him and blossoms into this inspiring leader, blah, blah, blah...

It's sappy, it's melodramatic, it's overused, and it's just plain dumb!

Are you thinking Harry Potter there, Emma? ;)

Actually, that's a good one, and when that kind of thing happens in the beginning, well, it's usually just another ploy to get that poor peasant on the road and into their quest - and I agree, it's a weak one. Also, I don't care for having my emotions pulled and tweaked like that. And, it's just plain corny.

I actually love dragons. I do agree that they are a lot of books with dragons in them, but that doesn't change my opinion about them.

I also cannot stand the thing where a leader figure dies. It's really overused, a lot of the fantasy books I've read have that event. I think it's a way for the author to add sorrow to the book, but without demolishing the theme of the book. Although I love Harry Potter.

Number Three: Threats to the life of the heroine in order to trick the hero (almost always romantically involved with the heroine) into doing something rash. ie: kidnapping her, poisoning her, or just plain holding a knife to her throat.

If it has actual importance to the plot, I can deal with it. I only don't like it when it's only to get the hero off on some pointless quest or make him go mad with grief or something.

I totally agree! But of all things I hate, I hate it the most when the author has this amazing character for the first one or two books but by the third book... They change the Characters!!

Wise, benevolent elves. Crusty dwarves. All the other Tolkien creatures.
Wizards and priests constantly in opposition.
Prophecies. Wise mentors taking on unpromising juniors and the inevitable training montage.

When I started out as a fantasy author, I made it my only rule, to never do things I had seen done before. These are the ones that stick out in my mind.

There's a famous list of these cliches, both for villains and for heroes.

What I hate is when a character dies and then reappears through some "unexpected" way. Just because people like a character doesn't mean they can't be killed off.