One of the big things I've always tried to do in my own writing (admittedly a lesson learned from reading articles by CS Friedman) is extrapolate out to societal effects of the magic system.
To your question, mine are probably Dragonlance and the Magister Trilogy. For very different reasons, lol.
Truthfully, the magic of Dragonlance was foundational primarily because it's so strongly modeled after Dungeons & Dragons, which I was more or less obsessed with throughout a large portion of my formative years.
The bigger impact though is certainly Friedman's Magister books. There's just something so visceral about having to expend one's literal life force to power their magic that really appeals to me. And the idea that a practitioner can literally cast themselves to death? That fits my ideas of the cost of magic with eloquent perfection.
Also, 'the repercussion of magic on society's development' is on my long-list of fantasy articles to write.
I was thinking of having a poll of sort, maybe on chat, or on notes, and write something by request to celebrate reaching 50 subscribers (I am still some 15 shy, and growth is slow, but I need the research time.
I might be an anomaly, but I find discussions on the societal repercussions of magic systems to be a fascinating topic.
I definitely understand the slow growth though. As soon as I finish editing my new reader magnet I'm going to get back into group promos to start growing my numbers here.
To your question, I am not sure. I think my favorite books are when the magic system takes a back seat (The Lies of Locke Lamora). But recently the Malevolent Seven interested me a lot. I mean Sebastien De Castell is one of my favorite authors (if not my favorite). He describes different 'attunements' that come from different planes. The wonderists who use their attunements are just, well, attuned to that plane. An example is that a 'thunderist' draws form the tempestrial plane. Super interesting and completely different from anything I had ever read before.
...And just like that, I have a new book to read. 😂 It sounds fascinating, and I am not usually in the 'wizardry' kind of magic, so that's saying something.
Personally, I have a soft spot for evocation.
Give me complex math, planetary alignments, symbology, ancient languages and a soul bond with a Demonic Overlord any day. The more complex the evocation, the harder they get it wrong, the better to read.
So my favorite thing about all of his books, aside from the AMAZING humor, is that every character is so very human. But not in a grim dark everyone is awful sort of way (which can be fun too). And he writes so beautifully. When I say my favorite author, not even joking.
If the 'awesome' is on account of the evocation stuff, on my Dimidium Publication a whole section of stories will deal with that.
(Right now I'm in the East mountain chains, dealing with dragons, but I might write something set in the Crimson Desert for August. Season appropriate.)
So if it WAS about the evocations, I'll try and remember to tag you somewhere when I publish it.
An excellent read. Much of what you write here I think I've been applying without thinking about, but I certainly will now. I want the richness a properly embedded magic system adds to the world in my own writing.
The first system that comes to mind for me is the Will and the Word, from Edding's Belgariad. I was eleven when I first read it, and the simple concept immediately grabbed me. That world felt alive for me in no small part due to how magic was employed in different ways within it.
The next would be Wheel of Time, for the same examples you referenced, so instead I will mention The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. On the surface he has simply taken much of our understanding of fairy tales and wizardry to a modern world, but he codifies it through Harry's eyes, and there is no escaping the rules, and the consequences if they are broken.
Lovely exploration of magic systems here.
One of the big things I've always tried to do in my own writing (admittedly a lesson learned from reading articles by CS Friedman) is extrapolate out to societal effects of the magic system.
To your question, mine are probably Dragonlance and the Magister Trilogy. For very different reasons, lol.
Truthfully, the magic of Dragonlance was foundational primarily because it's so strongly modeled after Dungeons & Dragons, which I was more or less obsessed with throughout a large portion of my formative years.
The bigger impact though is certainly Friedman's Magister books. There's just something so visceral about having to expend one's literal life force to power their magic that really appeals to me. And the idea that a practitioner can literally cast themselves to death? That fits my ideas of the cost of magic with eloquent perfection.
Also, 'the repercussion of magic on society's development' is on my long-list of fantasy articles to write.
I was thinking of having a poll of sort, maybe on chat, or on notes, and write something by request to celebrate reaching 50 subscribers (I am still some 15 shy, and growth is slow, but I need the research time.
Should this be in the running?
Absolutely!
I might be an anomaly, but I find discussions on the societal repercussions of magic systems to be a fascinating topic.
I definitely understand the slow growth though. As soon as I finish editing my new reader magnet I'm going to get back into group promos to start growing my numbers here.
I wasn't complaining, my content is a niche of a niche after all.
I'll keep the topic in mind for my poll, if I end up having one. 😉
I found Dragonlance by chance way back, before I even knew what D&D actually was, and now I am questioning my love for D&D.
(Roll for Insight.)
Haven't read the Magister trilogy (yet), and it just made my list.
This comment section is amazing, I will have a 'book swap' after every fantasy article.
If you enjoy darker worlds and magic systems (especially where you already seem to enjoy Friedman's writing), I highly recommend it.
Just be aware there are multiple instances of sexual violence across the series.
Duly noted, thanks for the warning.
This was excellently done. A great read :)
To your question, I am not sure. I think my favorite books are when the magic system takes a back seat (The Lies of Locke Lamora). But recently the Malevolent Seven interested me a lot. I mean Sebastien De Castell is one of my favorite authors (if not my favorite). He describes different 'attunements' that come from different planes. The wonderists who use their attunements are just, well, attuned to that plane. An example is that a 'thunderist' draws form the tempestrial plane. Super interesting and completely different from anything I had ever read before.
...And just like that, I have a new book to read. 😂 It sounds fascinating, and I am not usually in the 'wizardry' kind of magic, so that's saying something.
Personally, I have a soft spot for evocation.
Give me complex math, planetary alignments, symbology, ancient languages and a soul bond with a Demonic Overlord any day. The more complex the evocation, the harder they get it wrong, the better to read.
So my favorite thing about all of his books, aside from the AMAZING humor, is that every character is so very human. But not in a grim dark everyone is awful sort of way (which can be fun too). And he writes so beautifully. When I say my favorite author, not even joking.
That's awesome!!
If the 'awesome' is on account of the evocation stuff, on my Dimidium Publication a whole section of stories will deal with that.
(Right now I'm in the East mountain chains, dealing with dragons, but I might write something set in the Crimson Desert for August. Season appropriate.)
So if it WAS about the evocations, I'll try and remember to tag you somewhere when I publish it.
Please do!
An excellent read. Much of what you write here I think I've been applying without thinking about, but I certainly will now. I want the richness a properly embedded magic system adds to the world in my own writing.
The first system that comes to mind for me is the Will and the Word, from Edding's Belgariad. I was eleven when I first read it, and the simple concept immediately grabbed me. That world felt alive for me in no small part due to how magic was employed in different ways within it.
The next would be Wheel of Time, for the same examples you referenced, so instead I will mention The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. On the surface he has simply taken much of our understanding of fairy tales and wizardry to a modern world, but he codifies it through Harry's eyes, and there is no escaping the rules, and the consequences if they are broken.