[GreyMantle]

This is just something that I am interested in. It seems to me that at least a few people like (or love) authors that many others consider "bad." I have seen how a large portion of this forum reviles Terry Goodkind, and yet he has his own little sub-forum, and I have encountered a more than a few Goodkind fans.

I am also interested in why you consider some work of fantasy bad. Again drawing on my experiences, most criticism seems to be directed at the writing style, but yet again we can never seem to agree whose writing styles are clumsy, or wordy, or overly pretentious.

I guess what I'm trying to get at is that books overall are very hard to give a definitive opinion. What would satisfy me most is if someone does mention a book, or author, or series that they personally dislike, and this book is not defended at all. I would be fascinated by a fantasy book that is universally reviled.

[Glelas]

Anything by Robert Newcombe - and you can take that to the bank. :D

[Deaf Leper]

The Elder Gods, by David and Leigh Eddings.
Pretty bad.

[kcf]

I didn't like The Dragon and the Unicorn by A.A. Attanasio (full review (http://nethspace.blogspot.com/2007/03/dragon-and-unicorn-by.html)).

[U-Borat]

JK Rowling.
Christopher Paulini.

[SteveF]

There are of course the usual suspects; Terry Goodkind and Robert Newcomb (who genuinely can not write). I suspect you won't find too many defenders of the latter on this board, though he obviously has quite a few fans.

However, the only books I have ever been unable to finish are Curse of the Mistwraith by Janny Wurts (florid and ludicrously overwrought) and The Redemption of Athalus by the Eddings' (unfunny and irritating). Both of these are, IMO, good examples of bad fantasy but I imagine there will be defenders, particularly of Wurts.

[cervantor]

Robert Newcombe and Eragon are definitely at the top of the list for me. From a personal standpoint, I couldn't really get into KJ Parker or C.S. Friedman, and I thought Steph Swainston's debut was pretty bad, but I know people who love those, so I think it all depends on your own tastes...

[Obtuse]

However, the only books I have ever been unable to finish are Curse of the Mistwraith by Janny Wurts (florid and ludicrously overwrought)...
...I imagine there will be defenders, particularly of Wurts.

Good call on there being defenders. This book and its sequels comprise one of my 3 favorite fantasy series (along with Martin's SoIaF and Erikson's MBotF). In fact, what you consider to be the downfall of this book is what I consider one of its strengths (and would obviously describe differently). I am not surprised, however, to see this book mentioned here. I've been a part of similar discussion about this book/series previously, and it seems there is rarely any middle ground with it. People either really love it or despise it entirely.

[U-Borat]

I agree with SteveF, Wurt's writing is unnecessarily complicated and over-long, to the point of extreme boredom.
Although KJ Parker is an author I quite like.

Eddings' recent efforts are quite terrible, as are Feist's newer stuff.

[pat5150]

Feist's Talon of the Silver Hawk and King of Foxes, as well as Into a Dark Realm. . .:eek: