Story on the Brain

Here's what's annoying about fiction dealing with magic: if it's not laid out with proper rules, or the rules aren't followed, it's nothing more than nonstop narrative cheating. I read a trilogy lately in which magic played a small then larger then important part, and each book got less satisfying as the role of magic grew. Why? Because it could have been anything at all. The more the plot depends on some arbitrary performance of some arcane ritual never mentioned or described or costing anything, the less the success means. It robbed the payoff of any weight. The same goes with the time pressure writers like to put on magic, too. Someone must perform some long and complex ritual! How long does it take? Just a little bit longer than we'd like, but it gets done just in time to save the day! Well, that's awfully convenient. Sci-fi does exactly the same thing with technology, obviously. It's broken, we need a widget, just a few more minutes---aaaaah! ...

I really want to do this. Not sure all the days will be sequential, but maybe! It's from here . Also since I'm not part of their group and don't know anyone or whatever, I might make changes to the questions so they work better with what I've read. Okay? Okay! BOOK MEME Day 01 - A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just freaking end already (or both!) Day 02 - A book or series you wish more people were reading and talking about Day 03 - The best book you've read in the last 12 months Day 04 - Your favorite book or series ever Day 05 - A book or series you hate Day 06 - Favorite book of your favorite series OR your favorite book of all time Day 07 - Least favorite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise Day 08 - A book everyone should read at least once Day 09 - Best scene ever Day 10 - A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving Day 11 - A book that disappointed you Da...