What makes you stick with a new fantasy series?

[G.Luthar]

I have been curious about this question for a while now. I've been hooked to Solo Leveling but also The Name Of The Wind, which are 2 very different kinds of fantasy. I'm not really sure why I enjoyed both of them so much. What you think?

[Krysteena]

I don't not other thank interest but I am curious as to find out also!

[Oriflamme]

1. it has an interesting premise

2. Doesn’t trigger one of my flags that will make me drop the series automatically. Start off with a long and uninspired exposition about the world, drop. Stupid character, drop. Suddenly Litrpg element, they better do interesting other wise drops. If I start a series, then it’s because the synopsis got my attention, so they should not make me regret my decision.

Other instant drop flags include:

• The mc become a slave owner
• The writers barely disguised fetish
• written by a school shooter
• actually sword and sorcery blank noise.
• Annoying mascot character
• Way too stupid names

The question is about what makes you stick to a series. 90% of the time, I don’t start a fantasy story because it does look like something I want to read. Way too often, fantasy series feel like a mad libs of generic trope.

[jwabeasley]

For me, I need an interesting premise and I MUST like at least one of the main characters - not as a friend, but as an interesting character to watch.

After that, similar to Oriflamme, it needs to not hit my drop flags - isekai, video-game style worlds, litRPG, being smut/porn, cliche setting, poor art, excessively political, being anti- my ethnic/religious group (or by being anti-any real-world group really). Maybe I can handle one of these things, if there's enough positive to offset it. If your fantasy fiction starts with cosmic level creation of the world, I'll roll my eyes and stop reading.

If I like the characters and feel like the story is making good on its promises, I will keep coming back!

[jwabeasley]

actually sword and sorcery blank noise.

While I agree with your list, care to explain what you mean by that?

[BoomerZ]

Turn off is opening text explaining their world/mafic/political system.

[Oriflamme]

I meant it as an insulting way to describe something so generic and bland that it becomes like blank noise. Something that is technically present but no discernible quality. So in this case, it’s a roundabout way to say generic fantasy.

[kyupol]

All I can say is it must hook me in the first 10 pages. I like intense. Hard hitting. Roller coaster ride.

[jwabeasley]

That makes sense! I'm on the other end, sometimes those weirder 1930's era sword and sorcery novels seem much more interesting than the modern derivative stuff.

But agreed. The worst is those MMORPG inspired settings - it was already super derivative before you adapted it!

[MelancholicOtaku]

Mines is simple I have to connect to the characters and the world building should make me want to live in the world.