What Makes a Good Fantasy Novel?

[Nikolain]

Hi everyone,

Hope you're all doing well! I wanted to ask—what draws you into a story? Is it the worldbuilding, the plot, the magic or ability system, or a mix of everything?

For me, sometimes it’s the world and attention to detail that really hooks me—like in TBATE. I find that kind of immersive setting pulls me in more than something like Re:Zero, even though both are well-written.

Do you think a story needs to be engaging right from the start, or do you prefer a slow build-up? After taking a long break from my own story, I’ve been reflecting on why some great stories—whether objectively good or not—never really “pop off” the way others do.

Just curious to hear what you think makes a great fantasy story.

Read The Fourteenth Seat :: Chapter1 - The Beginning | Tapas Community

[dimsum_y]

Worldbuilding, plot, and magic systems are great--but what's more important to me when starting a new series/book is whether or not I care about the main character. I normally prefer the story to be engaging right from the start as well.

So, if I begin reading a work for the first time, I'd like to get to know a bit about the main character first. If I start to care about the character, then, I would get invested in the plot, followed by the worldbuilding and magic system. Of course, I'd want the character to succeed and grow as a person (personality, character development, power, etc.). But if I don't like the main character, then I won't care about the plot or any of the other things.

[Nikolain]

Hi dimsum,

That makes sense. Everyone wants a good character, but a character that feels real, and not dumb or making major mistakes. I think I'm sticking more onto the ground and allowing the characters, especially MC to make mistakes down the road, because the character cannot be a know-it-all and perfect, which just ruins the story and seems like a plot armor for everything.

[kyupol]

Do you think a story needs to be engaging right from the start, or do you prefer a slow build-up?

I prefer engaging from the start. Open it with something intense. Like a fight, argument, something sad or funny right off the bat.

[Nikolain]

Hi Kyupol,

That works too. Funnily enough I mainly read comics/manhwa and they usually start the same way of "Earth was destroyed" blah blah blah, but it gets you hooked XD

[ladyofthedarkwoods]

What makes a good fantasy novel is entirely subjective
Tho what draws me in to any story is usually characters and questions. The more questions a story gives me, the more I’m drawn in, stories who over explain tend to lose me for this reason. World building is entirely secondary to me, a backdrop to.
I kinda like it when the story gives you an explosive start but then takes it slow to build up the story, if that makes sense?

[Nikolain]

Hi WildMoon,

No, I get you. I tend to always favor reads that start somewhere in the middle, and then takes us back to the beginning. It's more of a preference of choice, but I also just as much like to take the slow path in understanding the world and what's going on.

I'm more of the same on "don't explain everything" and let the reader draw their own conclusions for some things.

[jwabeasley]

I need a character I care about and an intriguing and creative premise. Worldbuilding should be something I don't notice at all until I'm deep in the story, and then ideally I'll be going "...hey, wait a minute, this world is really well thought out!" (Dungeon Meshi is the most recent franchise where this happened for me). The plot is meaningless to me other than it arising naturally from the actions of the characters I care about. Magic systems almost never do it for me unless they are sufficiently intriguing and creative as a premise on their own - like the name system in Earthsea or the bell-gate system in The Old Kingdom series.

Interesting character + interesting premise = interested reader, assuming the execution is otherwise decent.

[Nikolain]

Hi jwabeasley,

Good points overall. I think that's a good indicator in what draws a reader, and sometimes it may be harder to find the one's you specifically want in a story.

[Krysteena]

Honestly I did a lot of youtube knowledge and mad ideas planners and chapter line ups so I can keep on track. You know what comes to you mind and heart and just start toying.

Read Lightning doesn't strike twice | Tapas Web Community

[Lensing]

My problem with fantasy novels, and why I stopped reading them, is that writers
share too much backstory, long explaination and descriptions of the world,
magic systems, different races, fractions etc. and other complicated things
that I have to work through before getting to the interesting stuff. It feels like
I have to study and learn about a world first to finally dig through to the interesting
story.

A good fantasy novel is not boring, "show don´t tell", no long explainations

[Nikolain]

Hi Lensing,

I think mine sits in the middle, as I did some background and lore, but just enough to tease and at least make the reader aware and think "oh, that sounds cool" but not too much to bore the user. I think I got the habit of just adding lore so I can think of where to transition next from it.

Has its ups and downs.

[Lensing]

I like that it starts with a scene where the narrator feels like they are dying

[pablo-costa]

Throwing my hat into the ring with a simpler, smaller story (focused on a romance/adventure set)
Dystopia, robot arms and young love in Early Ablation-

Read Early Ablation | Tapas Web Community

Also Gray familiar has 3 volumes published, over 50 chapters up

Read Gray Familiar | Tapas Web Community

[drbwp4]

I'd have to go with characters along with everyone else. The plot is driven by how to character reacts to the world around them. I've found that by putting characters I've hashed out in my head into different scenarios brings out a story so easily for me.

[Nikolain]

Hi pablo-costa,

That sounds cool overall. I actually did a romance type of setting a few years back. Stopped working on it as I really enjoy more fantasy content and such, but I think I had fun creating a sad/romantic fantasy where the MC was trying to improve his life with his sister, but unfortunate and bad things always occur, causing set backs and dark thoughts.

[Nikolain]

Hi drbwp4,

It makes sense. A lot of times, I want to relate to the character and understand their actions, but not accept everything they do. I was reading a manhwa recently and the MC is an orthodox, but because of that mind-set, he allowed innocent people from the unorthodox to perish, and even though he acknowledged his faults and is a reincarnator, it still made me upset of what a hypocrite he is. Safe to say, I paused reading the chapters for a few months because it was annoying.

[MelancholicOtaku]

For me it’s good world building with characters that you grow to love. My favorite fantasy novel is The Hobbit. I love the simplicity of Tolkien’s writing. Seeing this world of hobbits and elves terrifying dragons and things much worse. I loved being in the shire, the kingdom of the elves, the dragon’s lair and the villages we see in between. Bilbo Baggins became my favorite fantasy protagonist ,he’s the not the most powerful and isn’t very strong but his wits and quick thinking helps save the day. The dwarves are lovable each with their own unique personality and Gandalf is used sparingly but leaves a good impact on the reader.
Give me a world filled of wonder and whimsy or give me a world where despair rules but hope is never forgotten. Give me characters who feel real like I want to be apart of this group.

[drbwp4]

I adore The Hobbit. I did a book report on it when I was in middle school. I think it was one of the books that inspired me to write my own stories.

[Krysteena]

Guessing your not a one piece fan then lol.