[Pete-Gas]

Im talkin 'bout the smaller maps, such as the inside of a castle, or a battlefield etc.
Some books have these, but they always suck. Usually the authors description of the "battlefield" is decent, but not good enough to REALLY keep track of what is going on at each place.

I always find myself going "well, what hill are they fighting on now? How close are the other army units?" etc.

And I wish they'd have detailed maps of castles and keeps, so you know where everyones going etc.

eh, maybe its just me http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[JohnH]

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[BoxingGriffin]

It's also irritating when a lot of action takes place in an area you can't even find on the map!

I had never thought about maps for other areas, like castles and keeps and battlefields before. I like that idea! It would be nice to see where the rooms are and how they are proportioned.

I think John Marco does a good job in his battle scenes of painting a detailed picture so you know for the most part where everyone and everything is. I've only read "Jackyl of Nar" so far, but his battles are the most descriptive I've read in awhile.

[Rob B]

HERE (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001347.html) is an older topic about maps.

I like when maps are included, but don't think they are absolutely necessary.

[fortytwo]

I think a good map really helps me get into the heart of a story.Maybe it's the way my brain works but I like to see where the action is taking place.I have just finished a book in the Recluce series which has the main enemy as the Cyadorians and nowhere on the map could I find Cyador ...really frustrating.
I'm sure this doesn't bother everyone though but if there is going to be a map let it be a good one.

[lukaspriest]

What I really hate is when authors have these maps that are so detailed you cant even fine a location on them...we're talking maps so loaded with city names and places you can hardly even decipher them. And what's even more galling is when the VAST majority of the locales arent even referred to! (ie Gardens of the Moon)(which was still a good read)

[Hobbit]

Ah, but the best maps are in your head..... http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Actually, I was reading something today from Stephen Baxter (SF author) today about a tip given to him by Tim Powers (Anubis Gates, Declare, etc) that he now uses when writing, in that if you have a map or a schematic of a place, machine, castle or whatever as you are writing, you can make the backstory much more accurate, detailed and interesting.

It also raises the age-old question - Which came first, the story or the map? http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif (Sorry, couldn't resist!)

As part of my 'proper job' is allegedly using maps (and helping others to use them!), I can sympathise with lukaspriest's point about 'good' maps and 'bad' maps.

Personally, though I like to see them, I do feel that they must serve a purpose once they are there. If the writer is good enough, of course, you do not need the map to imagine the background environment to the story.

Hobbit

[jbcohen]

If you want fantasy novels with lots of good maps try Dragons of a Autumn Twilight. The Dragon Lance books have a gaming part to them, which has tons of maps associated with the games. Thus it is quite easy to tell where they are fighting.

[Eventine]

I agree with lukaspriest - I picked up Gardens of the Moon last night and looked at the first map and nearly fell over. I coudn't even find the city on the second map on the first map (although I didn't look too hard - the pub was calling).

[Loque]

The only map I've ever found interesting was Tolkeins middleearth one, but the book was so good you didnt actually need it, and i've never read a good book yet were you did need a map. Gemmell doesnt bother with them and i've never felt the need for one. I recently read volume one of the view from the mirror by ian irvine, it had a map but i couldnt make head nore tails of it so ignored it and my enjoyment of the book was not hampered as a result. So no, i dont need maps and i prefer to rely on my own imagination.