Heeee!

[sholio]

For you Locke Lamora fans on my flist (I know there are at least a couple), courtesy of linkage from rydra_wong, here's Scott Lynch's completely awesome list of things he hates in fantasy, which killed me because it's a) funny and b) explains why his books are so awesome. (I do disagree with him on the coffee one. I get a kick out of that, actually. But I definitely agree that giving weird names to everyday things often stands in for actual world-building in, shall we say, less well-developed fantasy novels.)

Edit: Also, if you haven't read the books, there are no spoilers for the books and no prior knowledge of them is required to enjoy this list. Knowledge of fantasy cliches is a definite help, though.

Comments

[naye]

Heee~! The man is awesome. The "bong-bong" part of the coffee thing made me giggle. A lot.

Now I'm curious with author besides Terry Goodkind has female characters dress up in leather and whip people to show that they're evil villains. Hm.

Thanks for the link!

[sholio]

For some reason Jim Butcher was the first one who leaped to mind as his "up and comer", but ... as many kinds of wrong as the Codex Alera books are, I don't recall if he actually did that.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Oh, that was great :D And just so, so dang true.

I personally don't agree with the fuzzy animals one... except for the psychic part, that I agree with. I like giving my characters some kind of critter-companion to talk with, snark with, as back up - what ever they're needed for. Although they're usually something wierder than your run of the mill wolves or giant spiders. And, of course, no psychic abilities or connection what so ever ;)

But he forgot one! The group configurations consisiting of an elf, dwarf and a man. Elf, dwarf, man - always, always that friggin' configuration! Why not man, dragon and... something else? Why always elf, dwarf, man? The moment I pick up a book with that group configuration is the moment I put it back down. No offense to those who like that configuration intended, though. I'm just personally weary of it.

[sholio]

I personally don't agree with the fuzzy animals one... except for the psychic part, that I agree with. I like giving my characters some kind of critter-companion to talk with, snark with, as back up - what ever they're needed for.

Well, everyone's list is going to be a bit idiosyncratic. Me, I can't stand "Chosen One" stories. I hates them, precioussss! But obviously, many people enjoy them.

I was just talking to my sister on the phone today about fantasy "races" -- there are SO MANY things that bother me there, ranging from terminology to the way personality traits are assigned to the different species and individuals are assigned to the traveling party. (You really can't go wrong with dragons, though! Everything is better with a dragon in it.)