[wolfshead]

There are so many books to choose from out there...what makes you decide NOT to buy or finish reading a certain book? I know there are certain things I look for--sometimes I know i'm probably being unfair, but hey...that's jaded old age for you! I'd be curious to find out what other readers find are 'turn off's' when choosing or reading fantasy. My list is:
Most books with Elves--usually they are either tolkien-clones or merely humanoids with pointy ears with nothing else to distinguish them.
Dragons and unicorns, unless they are portrayed in a unique and credible way. Too many times they are merely 'stock footage'
Too many cutesy references to animals, particularly cats or horses (found occasionally among US female authors in particular)
Modern day fantasy where the author gives a 'plug' to some other well-known writer/artist (presumably a friend) by having the main character like their work.
Modern slang when the setting is obviously 'old world'; alternately also using 'ye olde English'--esp. when it's not done correctly!
Most barbarians--esp. if described as having 'bulging thews'!!
Fluffy bunny new agey junk masquerading as the 'true' \Celtic/prehistoric religion.
And here's total triviality for you: my best friend (also an avid reader of fantasy) and I both agreed, with some puzzlement, that we found that books who have lots of characters with names that begin with 'J' or 'Z' tend to be bad!
I must admit also to judging a book by its cover occasionally. I detest the art of Darryl K. Sweet and find it a real turn off. His characters all remind me of Barney Rubble!

[Rob B]

(FF glances at his Wheel of Time books) HA HA, good one. DKS and Barney Rubble.

What I don't like in a book and what can halt my reading of a book:
Uninteresting Characters
A plot that goes nowhere.

I haven't read many books with unicorns, don't know if it is a subconscious thing or not.

[Hound]

Mushy romance scenes. Actually any romance.

[Pluvious]

* lack of combat or conflict
* like you said above, the language-if it is not coehesive or accurate it bothers me
* characters whose motivations seem weak
* same old, same old; when I see the typical "rich, bustling marketplaces, palaces, castles, elemental magic, wise mentor, strong and noble knight, rehibilitated assasin, whatever"...just make it different-you can even use this stereotypes if you know they are stereotypes and make them your own somehow
* poor dialogue...you can usually tell an author you will like right away by the way the characters interact (I like some cleverness myself)
* not too goody-goody. I don't like when the good guys are all good or saying the right things all the time

[Thoughtcriminal84]

Everthing that you people wrote above applies to me as well...but I have to add this: Stupid characters.

In the Sword of Truth series, Richard Rahl is consistantly idiotic. He constantly fails to see the friggin obvious, and this is the only reason there are any books to read at all. I actually enjoyed the first three books in said series, but Dicks immense, constant stupidity turned me off.

To tell you the truth, I'm drawing a blank on other books with characters that are as moronic as Richard Rahl for the lead, but I'm sure they're out there.

Cardboard cut out characters are another pet peeve.

[Rob B]

I don't mind romantic scenes and interactions, but yes if the story focuses too much on that it can be a "turn-off".

Richard Rahl is pretty dumb, but that just falls under "Wizard's First Rule" Read the first SOT book and will probably read the 2nd, it usually ranks pretty high on the Internet top 100 list.

[Bardos]

What I don't like in a book... Hmm...
Well, I don't like too virtuous characters, simplistic plots (e.g., Eddings), sexism (e.g., Jordan), all-powerfull characters (most of the time, but not if they are used correctly), I hate it when I read too many pages and nothinghappens. What else?...
Oh, yes! I like romance -also, if it is used correctly (not relistic, recesary).

[This message has been edited by Bardos (edited January 18, 2001).]

[Keyoke]

What I dont like? Well.. This may sound really really bad, but, I do NOT like gay overtones, or gay characters. Be it male or female..

Why? Couple of reasons..

1) I tend to find authors who use it really really stress it. Now, dont get me wrong, I dont mind characters being gay...providing that is NOT over blown. I read the Videssos cycle sometime ago, and they Doctor of the Legion was gay.. and, he by far was my favorite character.. Now, the NIght runner series by Lynn Flewwing (Sp) characters are either Gay or bi-sexual.. I dont like that..

2) When it is emphasis'd, I'll admit it makes me feel a little uncomfortable.. It just does..

Now, it isnt saying all this because most folks just assume I'm homophobic.. Well, I'm not.. I could rattle on, but, I am hoping you folks I understand. =)

Keyoke

[FitzChivalry]

I didn't like the nightrunner series too, but because it was boring, not because of the gay characters.. gay characters are so rare that although i find it harder to relate to them, it is interesting to read about them sometimes, makes the story a little different than the usual.

[Cygnus]

The thing that drives me crazy about almost all fantasy is that the characters rarely have any kind of freewill. A gods or assortment of gods are always manipulating the mortal characters to some degree. I'm not religious, so that probably has something to do with this pet peeve, but I think that great fantasy can be written that leaves the whole destiny and deity factors out of it. So, if anyone can think of any such books, please let me know! I'm sure that I've read some, I just can't think of any off hand.