[AuntiePam]

Ah, but sometimes when people start new topics, a mod comes in and says it's already been discussed and points the thread starter to previous threads.

It's hard to know what to do sometimes.

I hardly ever look at the dates on threads -- I just read and respond. :)

[Valada]

I like a touch of grey, in most cases. So a villain that has redeeming qualities or an understandable cause, and heroes who are flawed. Even better is when you aren't sure who is the villain and who is the hero. For example, there are some characters in Martins aSoIaF series that I am sure will change positions along the road (assuming the road continues and reaches a conclusion!) :)
Martin is a master in this way - most of the characters are sympathetic in some way.

[magze]

I like to know the villian,I do like them to have some good qualitys.
Fiest's Conclave of Shadows the hero in the third book is one of the villians from the first two.

[Priestvyrce]

I like to get to know the villain. Though the heard of but not seen villain can be effective; I still like to get the whole picture. When you find that the villain is human(or at least has many other facets to his or hwer personality) that it gives the story more drama and effect.

[Yobmod]

I don't mind either way if it's well written.
I villian that is characterised too much is in danger of becoming just an antihero tho. Too much understanging results in empathy... :)

Can anyone recomend ANY genre fantasy books that don't have a villain? So the protagonists struggle with each other or their environment.
I don't know about everyone else, but i don't have to have any enemies to make my life complicated and difficult.

[butterfly]

I have to say that as long as it works with the story, then I don't mind. Sometimes its great to get into the villian's head, just to see what makes the differences.

One or two of Guy Gavriel Kay's books deal with a struggle with environment or characters from all sides and so has plenty of grey areas, rather than a single baddie. Lions of Al-rassan, the Last Light of the Sun are good examples.

[Spears&Buckler]

Sometimes its great to get into the villian's head, just to see what makes the differences.

I feel exactly the same way. The villain is just as important as the protagonist, maybe even more so, in my opinion. I always want to know why a villain is doing what he (or she) is doing. I just can't take it for granted that the villain is "evil" and that makes him (or her) do bad things.

[Crow]

I feel exactly the same way. The villain is just as important as the protagonist, maybe even more so, in my opinion. I always want to know why a villain is doing what he (or she) is doing. I just can't take it for granted that the villain is "evil" and that makes him (or her) do bad things.

Oh really? I'm confused as to why you like Wheel of Time so much, because that's precisely why the villains do bad things.

[Spears&Buckler]

OK. You got me there, Talan.

My reading habits and tastes have evolved very much over the past year or so, and if I had started Wheel now, who knows if I would have liked it as much as I did 4 or 5 years ago when I first started it. Granted I am going to continue with it until it is finished (God help me) because I have invested so much time in it already. I don't know. Maybe it's time for a new name on SFFWorld?

Nowadays, I'm looking for more in my reading. I want to be challenged and ask questions. Matt Stover, Stephen Donaldson and Scott Bakker have given me that, and I have turned more into that direction. With these writers, you know what makes the villains tick, and you know what drives them towards their goals.

Mostly.

[juzzza]

... and sometimes, just sometimes... you end up even LIKING them!!!