Top Three Magic Systems

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Last week we asked you about the worlds. This week, share your favourite magic systems in fantasy!

If your list is just all Sanderson (there are a lot of fans here!), feel free to make two lists: one Sanderson magic systems and one non-Sanderson magic systems.

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

1. Malazan - There is nothing as complicated and extensive.

2. Stormlight - Love the depth and how there's heralds, gems, glyphs and groups all for different types.

3. Manifest Delusions - The most bizarre and original of them all.

[Saul the Heir of Isauldur]

1. Signs in The Witcher Series. I think that combat-specific magic is pretty cool, considering how a lot of classic magic requires long rituals or in-depth studies of arcane knowledge.

2. Allomancy in The Alloy of Law. This was the first Sanderson book I ever read, and it felt to me like a superhero story: the pacing, the villain, the powers. And this magic system is something that I'd never seen before. In my opinion, this is his best and most original magic system, because it's quick, cool but not limitless and grounded in basic physical laws, such as inertia and momentum.

3. Incanters and Rhetors in Anathem. Though technically not a magic system (nor a fantasy), I love the legend behind this book's version of wizards. It says that one of the two can choose which alternate future to go down, and so find the outcome most beneficial to him/her. The other can change past events so that, say, a discovered dinosaur skeleton isn't there anymore, though the equipment, archaeologists and piles of dirt remain. Stephenson does a much better job of explaining it, and it's one of the most interesting parts of the book (which is saying a lot!)

[Miche]

Jenna wrote: "If your list is just all Sanderson (there are a lot of fans here!), feel free to make two lists: one Sanderson magic systems and one non-Sanderson magic systems."

The Sanderson cult says thank you, lol.

[Miche]

Non-Sanderson:

1. Malazan
2. The Broken Earth
3. Long Price Quartet

Sanderson's magic systems:

1. Stormlight Archive
2. Mistborn
3. Warbreaker

[Diana Stormblessed]

Favorite magic systems:

Stormlight Archive
Mistborn
Warbreaker
(Elantris)

Honorary mention:

Realm of the Elderlings
Kate Daniels
Iron Druid


Secondary honorary mention: Wheel of Time (the magic users are just too powerful for it to be higher on my list)

[Diana Stormblessed]

Miche wrote: "
Sanderson's magic systems:

1. Stormlight Archive
2. Mistborn
3. Warbreaker"

I approve of your Sanderson ordering :-)

[Miche]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I approve of your Sanderson ordering :-) "

Emperor Soul (Elantris) is my honorable mention.

*High five!*

[Miche]

Scott wrote: "3. Manifest Delusions - The most bizarre and original of them all. "

I started reading it yesterday, and I can see it becoming one of my favorites too.

[Diana Stormblessed]

Miche wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I approve of your Sanderson ordering :-) "

Emperor Soul (Elantris) is my honorable mention.

*High five!*"

D'oh! Forgot about that one.

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

I wanted to choose different ones than the ones I mentioned in the world building thread so I'll leave Malazan and Manifest Delusions off this list.

1. Powder Mage - Promise of Blood. Magic + guns? You really can't go wrong here.

2. Mistborn era 2 - The Alloy of Law. I really can't think of my this is on my list - it's just good fun. :)

3. Lightbringer - The Black Prism. Although I have problems with the series and I have now given up after book 4, the colour magic is still really cool.

[Bill]

1. Abhorsen - I really like the bells and the whole necromancy thing. Plus I’m always up for any magic that allows for the existence of the disreputable dog and mogget.

2. Discworld - the Witches in particular have some really cool magic. There are so many different kinds throughout the series. Variety is always nice.

3. Wheel of Time - especially in the second half of the series where the magic gets a little more skilled. Overall though just really cool big magic.

[Bea]

1. Malazan
2. Realm of the Elderlings
3. Stormlight

[Sha]

1. Allomancy + Feruchemy + Hemalurgy in Mistborn and sequels. (All the Sanderson Systems, actually. I just picked the one I liked best.)
2. Ambient Magic (ie, magic specifically gathwred from outside and after realized via crafts) Winding Circle books, Tamora Pierce.
3. Spirit Stones. Broken Sky Chris Wooding

[Slick]

1. Malazans Warrens
2. WOT The Power
3. Magic in Powdermage

[Mayim]

1. Malazan goes without saying
2. Hidden Legacy - I really like how complicated the magic is divided into bloodlines and various specialisations
3. Harry Potter

[Diana Stormblessed]

Mayim wrote: "1. Malazan goes without saying
2. Hidden Legacy - I really like how complicated the magic is divided into bloodlines and various specialisations
3. Harry Potter"

Oh, I should have added Hidden Legacy!

[C.P.]

Top 3 Sanderson
1) Stormlight Archive
2) Mistborn (both Era 1 and Era 2)
3) Warbreaker
(Also really like the magic in The Rithmatist)

Top 3 Non Sanderson
1) Powder Mage (Powder Mage trilogy and Gods of Blood and Powder)
2) Legends of the First Empire
3) Grishaverse

Looking through books that I've read, I realize that I haven't read that much variety of magic.

[Tammie]

1. Mistborn
2 The Powder Mage
3. Wheel of Time

[Mayim]

C.P. wrote: "Top 3 Sanderson
1) Stormlight Archive
2) Mistborn (both Era 1 and Era 2)
3) Warbreaker
(Also really like the magic in The Rithmatist)

Top 3 Non Sanderson
1) Powder Mage (Powder Mage trilogy and Go..."

Oh Grishaverse is excellent too! Good point!

[C.P.]

Yeah, I remember really liking the magic in that when I first read it.