[Drewids]

In another post someone had stated to stick to what interests you in the genre (sci-fi or fantasy). It started to make me think: what did I llok for most in a book or series.

Usually when I picked a book, pre-internet days, I read the first paragraph and then decided if it could catch my attention. Also, I would flip through and see if the author was overly "descriptive", such as 2 to 3 pages of what the forest looked like, that would turn me off.

For the last 5 or so years I have had internet access and I can now read non-commercialized reviews. When I was first online there wasn't much on fantasy, but now there seems to be more and more every month.

My taste, I guess, would be labeled Epic fantasy (I like long series and much detail in a story). I like the medieval, sword & sorcery, and quest stories.

My question would be if you could name one or two things that would describe your taste in fantasy what would it be?

What is it about the particular stories you enjoy?

[Pluvious]

I'll name three things though I could name some more.

(1) Interesting, evolving, and realistic main characters. This seems obvious, but why then do so many authors fail at it?

(2) Some genuine, well-constructed, and continuos mystery. Do it well and keep me guessing about the world and what will happen next! I don't need to be led down the "yellow brick road" of obviousness.

(3) How about some cool magic. Keep your elemental flame-throwing invisibility crystal ball at home. I want some explanation, some mage duels, and some nicely described original affects.

That's all for now.

[Drewids]

Though I was referring to what makes a good fantasy book, I would ask: what about a book that you knew very little of would make you buy it? The cover? the first page? etc...

[Rupert Avery]

I will be the first to admit this but 7 times out of 10 if its an unknown author I will judge the book by its cover,front and back,and not much more then that.There have been times when this has back fired badly but most times it works for me!

[Macros]

I read the summary on the back. I rarely look at the cover unless I really like the artwork.

[FitzChivalry]

I don't usually buy a book unless it was recommended to me by friends or in the internet, irc or fantasy boards...
If some unknown author does seem to write something interesting that i want to read i will look for reviews first by people who read it.

[Rob B]

I try to find out about the author/book if I find it interesting. i.e.--I check amazon.com quite often and go to my local Barnes and Noble every so often. If I see an interesting book, I read the back cover, read the intro and some of the first chapter.

If it interests me after that, I will try to find reviews on the book (bless the internet), if it won any awards, find out about the author, ask the people on usenet or this BB, etc...

Let's face it there are alot of books out there, and I don't want to just pick up anything and risk wasting my time with the book.

[Lani]

Well, I pretty much disappointed in things the publishers put on the back. It is pretty much decieving. I usually if looking for a new author try to read one of first chapters in the book. As well, if I find plot description in the net it helps, but I usually don't trust people's opinion about book, so usually try to find some relatively subjective source.

[Giarc]

I look for covers that suggest 'fantasy book' or perhaps SF and pick the thing off the shelf. The quality of the cover art (if good) might pique my interest more than for crappy covers, but as long as it shows fantasy I'll pick it up. The actual decision to read is almost entirely based on the back cover description of the story.
Not always a good way of selecting books but it has generally worked well. I almost bypassed Guy Gavriel Kay because the book covers were so 'historical fictionish'. Thankfully a friend reccommended I try his books.

[Loki]

hey i just go the section fantasy in the libary and take about most of the book i havent read and then see if their good at home.

im really cheap id say ive actually BOUGHT about 10 books.