Fantasy Book Club discussion
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TOPIC IN FOCUS - How do you like your Fantasy ?
Kite wrote: "I thought this would be easy to answer at first but it's actually pretty difficult.So I started to think about what I couldn't read and I have always put a book down when it became just too ble..."
Thank you, Kite. That was thoughtful and thorough and I agree. But it really is hard to put into words what we like and why, isn't it?
Kernos wrote: "Entertainment, escapism and my-other-lives-ism, are primary reasons for my reading Fantasy and SciFi for that matter..."I am totally "there" with Kernos on all his points:
1. I want to escape somewhere different (enough) from my Here.
2. Love complex worlds and series, as long as the series does not run on long after it should have stopped. There are certainly exceptional books that would be ruined by sequels; I would not want a sequel just for the sake of having a sequel.
3. I want magic systems explained.
In addition, I do have a soft spot for the anti-hero, although I would not want that type in every book.
I like my fantasy as well-constructed as any fiction, with not a lot of loose ends, backpedaling or moments of "oh, yeah, I meant to say." I like internal consistency in the characters and the setting, and a plot where everything happens because of who the characters are and how they are interacting with events around them. Those events should be motivating. The setting has to have internal consistency - no sudden exception to the rules of the society or the technology. Dialog is important to keep the reader interested and make the characters seem real. Their feelings and relationships should be revealed, and their decisions must be driven by these things. But making the characters tell each others things they already know so we will know them too is just awkward. If the writer becomes visible in the story, I stop reading. If the point-of-view character is obviously "who I'd be if I were in the story" and takes herself to seriously, or the author interrupts the story to praise her/him, I stop reading. If too much information is crowded into one sentence in an attempt to create a false elegance, I stop reading. These are just matters of writing skills. As my teacher, Nancy Kress, always said, "Don't tell me, show me." It's what works. My faves are Tolkien, Russell Hoban, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. Ursula LeGuin is great. Andrea mentioned Sherry Tepper and reminded me that I loved "Raising the Stones" and still think of any in-group as "the ones who." Guilty pleasure: Jim Butcher's urban wizard stories.
Depends on my mood. Sometimes I like the fluff, but most of the time I like my stories to die a little deeper. I just adore the stories that twist around and give you something you just didn't see coming. The stories that you can read again and again and still find new things about the book. The ones that make you think, that make you sit back and just laugh because it was completely different than what you expected.
Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Kite wrote: "I thought this would be easy to answer at first but it's actually pretty difficult.So I started to think about what I couldn't read and I have always put a book down when it became j..."
Thanks Sandra. Even now, the more I think about it the more I realized I never looked that hard into what it is I prefer in my fantasy. It's also good to know I'm not the only one who is picky. :)
For me there is no set type.I think I started with R.E Howards Conan and was hooked.
It's partly I guess about escape, characters, and plot in different measures. Low to high Fantasy does it does not matter.
However as a male reader, sometimes the love elements can be offputting(some of the later Wheel of Time series books, although I do like Brad Sandersons takeover, also read and enjoyed his Mistworld novels as a result, interesting world, plot, characters).
I'll read anything from Alan Dean Foster's Spellsinger books which are pretty light reading to George RR Martin and one of my current favorites Steven Erikson The Malazan series.
It can be anything from vanilla fantasy, Gemmell, Feist(earlier books I think are better than the recent), to Glen Cooks Black Company to Terry Pratchett, Paksennarion series by Elizabeth Moon and one my other favorites The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay, to L.E Modesstit The Saga of Recluce, a very different style to most of the books I've read in the genre, or Katherine Kerr the Deverry Saga
Although I feel I should say I love big thick books as I tend read fairly fast if I like the book, got into the Malazan series when looking for a new fantasy book, and picked up book Reapers Gale(unbeknownst to me it was book 7? in the series, so I had to buy the rest after that).
Tbh I hate trying to say why I like a particular book, I never try to critically evaluate them, I enjoy them( or don't) for the fun I get from reading them at the end of the day.
I like them all. Just not necessarily all at all times. In other words, what I like varies by what else is happening in my life or what else I've read recently or what mood I'm in at the moment. I tend to read different types of books in cycles. Right now I've been in a pretty strong urban/paranormal cycle. They are quick reads, often maintain a light/optimistic tone, and each book is usually a complete story arc (lots are romances and/or mysteries) in itself even if it exists within a larger story cycle. Honestly, these may have somewhat spoiled me for the longer "epic" tales that I used to read constantly. The Fantasy series bookclub has been reading Janny's "War of Light and Shadow" series, which I happened to love when I first read 1-5. And, don't get me wrong, I still do enjoy them, but I just wasn't as caught up in the story this time around. I'm sure I will cycle back around to immersion in this world again; I think I'm just not ready for complex "fictional-world" moral and political thought at a time when I am immersed in complex "real-world" moral and political thought.
What I like is to be drawn into the story and the world. The world doesn't have to totally defined from the get-go, but "The rules" should be readily apparent, consistent, and followed. I like stories/characters with a sense of humor. And, while I don't need or want everything to be all goodness and light, it is a real slog if everything that happens goes from bad to worse to worst. There is one series that had me really wavering on whether or not to get the next book, because almost nothing good happened - and this was a paranormal romance series! Heck even the "successful" romances somehow made the overall situation appear worse (to be fair, the series isn't complete and what looks bad at the moment could be a misread of the situation based on incomplete knowledge of characters and readers).
Anyway, I agree a lot with Stublore's last sentence...what I really want is to have fun reading and sometimes that is just too intangible for me to define.
When reading a fantasy book I like reading the authors take on a specific world. Some authors convey magic or mechanic differently than others and I like to see how the characters interact with the authors take on those systems. When it comes to fluff, I think it can add to the story. This is especially true when you think a scene near the beginning of the story is "fluffy" and then it turns out that it was an important passage. When an author puts in too much fluff I get a little irritated, because we don't need to know the exact decorum of every tea cup in every room.
The primary reason I read fantasy is to read about a world that is not our own. I read plenty of fiction books that take place on Earth in present day; so I turn to fiction to change the setting.
I read fantasy for escape: enjoyment and relaxation. I tend to avoid fantasy that is dark, peopled with anti-heroes, etc. I love the old-school epics with clear-cut evil and good. I know that might be viewed as a bit simplistic, but, shrug, that's what I enjoy. I also love a good humorous fantasy. That seems to be tough to find these days. If anyone has any recommendations for that, I'd appreciate it.
Christopher, I like humorous fantasy too. Terry Pratchett has a lot of good books out, the saga beginning with The Colour of Magic, the first story of Rincewind the Wizzard. (Yes, he's English.) Then there's Jim Butcher's urban wizard series, The Dresden Files. His stories are told in the first person by Harry Dresden, Wizard, and there is a lot of wry Chicago style humor in with the action. Right now I'm reading The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde (also English). His main character is a woman named Thursday Next, who's a secret agent, and his fantasy premise includes time travel and the reality of literary characters.
It sounds like Jim C. Hines books are humorous. I haven't read them, but plan to. Since he's one of the authors on our panel, you can read what he's posted and look over his books.
Thanks, Barb and Sandra, for the recommendations. I've read the Dresden stories and Jasper Fforde, and liked 'em both. Pratchett, however, I've never read, so I guess I'll take the plunge. I'll check out Jim Hines too.
Sarah wrote: "As I've gotten older, I find that I starting to require stories that challenge me while I read them. Either because of the concepts within or the writing style.I still enjoy "fluffier" books bu..."
Amen! Now that I've read some intelligent books, I have little patience for the non-intelligent ones.
I read books for entertainment primarily. I read enough factual stuff for my job, so I prefer factual non-work books to be entertaining as well (I adore Mary Roach's writing). I also go through cycles of how much attention I can spare for my entertainment. Lately - the past year or so - I've wanted quicker, easier reads. I don't have the time nor the attention to properly devote to complex or dense series or books. Sandra, I don't like it when the word "intelligent" is applied to a book - "dense", "complex", "convoluted" or "rich" - I'm more comfortable with. "Intelligent" seems (nothing personal here, just a personal pet peeve - read on & you'll see why) a snobbish way of describing a book, as if one must be intelligent to understand it. The same thing could be said of any book that has a cast of thousands with dozens of similar or unpronounceable names. It's often used to excuse those that don't properly use punctuation or have other alternative styles. I generally don't appreciate books of that sort & it isn't because I'm dumb, but because I usually see it as a failing in the author's ability to communicate properly. Complexity for its own sake is a form of mental masturbation that usually bores me.
My grandfather was a horrible book snob & used to describe many of the books I read as "dumb", "common" or "trashy". He despised Mickey Spillane & Edgar Rice Burroughs, two of my favorites back then, although his influence & discussions with me about books were one of the reasons I became an avid reader. (No, I'm not really sure how that worked either, but it did.)
;-)
I believe that if a person reads & enjoys it, that's good enough. I raised 3 kids who read constantly & love it. I didn't do it by forcing them to read the classics. As they got older, school & curiosity led them to pick up 'better' books. They were able to comprehend & enjoy them all the more for having dozens or hundreds of other stories behind them.
Jim wrote: "I read books for entertainment primarily. I read enough factual stuff for my job, so I prefer factual non-work books to be entertaining as well (I adore Mary Roach's writing). I also go through c..."Point taken. Your word choice is definitely better and more descriptive. I really meant books that make me think, that challenge me, that baffle me enough to make me keep looking.
Jim wrote: "I read books for entertainment primarily. I read enough factual stuff for my job, so I prefer factual non-work books to be entertaining as well (I adore Mary Roach's writing). I also go through c..."Sadly, I fear that you are one of the exceptions by being pushed into reading more by book snobs. I know a few people who stopped reading as teenagers because they were told the books they liked were not good enough.
That said, I don't get the impression that anyone here is a book snob.
I agree with Jim, in that I don't think anyone here is a 'book-snob.' Personally, I do enjoy challenging myself these days to read more books that require some effort on my part. Not that I still don't mind indulging myself in a Lee Child or J.D. Robb mystery along the way here and there. I continue to get tremendous enjoyment from reading Thomas Hardy, George Eliot, Dickens, Tolstoy, Edith Wharton, Homer, et al. I think this is why I am enjoying, ever so much, my recent discovery and immersion in Steven Erikson's 'Malazan' books. Yeah, they make you think (a lot!), but they are wildly and insanely entertaining!
Off topic warning! (Let me know if I should post it elsewhere.)Elton, I think my grandfather was practicing reverse psychology. Grandpa was a newspaper editor so in order to hold my own with him, I had to do my research. Of course, that meant reading more widely or feeling like a fool. He did that anyway, but in a way that made me more determined to show him! It was quite a lot of fun & he made me feel like a worthy opponent.
;-)
I think his biggest influence was because I saw him reading a lot, holding the books & discussing them. They were part of his life. One wall of his bedroom his bedroom was a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling book case that was overstuffed. I built one into mine, too.
My approach with my kids was different. I love fantasy & SF. I read & recommended such books to my kids practically from day 1. (I was buying books with my children in mind before the first was born.) I read most of the books they read & we discussed them, both the good & bad points.
Again, though, our kids saw my wife & I reading a lot & constantly talking about exciting, far out places & deeds. We had 'starve for yourself' nights - IOW, Marg or I was too wrapped up in a good book so if anyone wanted dinner, they had to scrounge it up on their own. Possibly this isn't proper parenting, but the kids managed to survive somehow. All my kids have built their own bookshelves...
;-)
Jim wrote: "Off topic warning! (Let me know if I should post it elsewhere.)Elton, I think my grandfather was practicing reverse psychology. Grandpa was a newspaper editor so in order to hold my own with him..."
Cool.
Sarah wrote: "As I've gotten older, I find that I starting to require stories that challenge me while I read them. Either because of the concepts within or the writing style.I still enjoy "fluffier" books bu..."
Welcome, Sarah! Responding to your comment, if you haven't already, I would suggest you try The Wars of Light and Shadow series, by Janny Wurts, one of our author members. Opinions vary, but it seems unanimous that her books are challenging, both in style and concepts -- and I feel that she writes an awesome story with amazingly interesting characters.
Christopher wrote: "I agree with Jim, in that I don't think anyone here is a 'book-snob.' Personally, I do enjoy challenging myself these days to read more books that require some effort on my part. Not that I still..."I think you mean you agree with Elton, as he was the one who said he didn't think anyone here was a book snob. Jim didn't say whether there were or weren't any - merely that to describe books as "non-intelligent" comes across as being book-snobbish.
When I read a book, I want to be entertained. As to what I'm going to be entertained by - well, your guess it probably as good as mine, but I do tend to lean towards the non-challenging books, in the same way I tend to enjoy popcorn flicks and summer blockbusters (and almost anything by Tim Burton).
Which isn't to say I don't like things that make me think, because I do, but only if it's done in an entertaining way. If I'm bored, then I don't really care what you have to say one way or the other.
Sarah wrote: "@Charles--Janny's Wars of Light & Shadow are definitely on my list! I checked out my local B&N to see if they had the first book but unfortunately they didn't when I checked last. Amazon here I com..."Sarah, I admire your resolve, and wish I had more. As I mentioned once, I have two books by two of my favorite authors (Anathem/Neal Stephenson & Against All Things Ending/Stephen R Donaldson) which I bought in a fever to read them, sitting unread on my desk for 6 months while I wander through Paravia, breathless with wonder. You will not be disappointed. Amazon has ALL Janny's books, all but one in hardback (Stormed Fortress still is unhardened). I got Curse of the Mistwraith there for $1 in like-new condition).
Sarah wrote: "Great! Why'd you have to tell me that? Are you testing my resolve? I'm especially excited to read Janny's because I see her commenting all the time on GR and think it's beyond awesome to be abl..."
Yes, it's quite fascinating to have an author member who is so accessible. And what a brain there to pick!
There are lots of authors here, you know.
Jim wrote: "...I believe that if a person reads & enjoys it, that's good enough. ..."Of course it is. I vary my reading between "trash" and "literary" or "intelligent" books. I use an operational definition for literary (the term I generally use): A book or series I want to read over and over. I've read LOTR 26 times and still discover new wonders in the prose, eg. I'm only just near the end of Arc II of Janny's WoLaS and already need to re-read Mistwraith. Other speculative lit I put into this category are the Malazan books, Dhalgren, American Gods, Dune, Le Guin, Clement... these spring to mind.
Others I read purely for escape: Star Trek and Star Wars, Weis & Hickman, Salvatore...
The important thing for me is balance. "Seek the balanced path. Only when you're in balance can you find beauty."
I'm curious what others would consider "literary speculative fiction"?
Marc wrote: "There are lots of authors here, you know."They do, indeed, seem to pop up everywhere :-).
I rather like all of Patricia McKillip books. She is one author that I go out of my way to get her books to read when I am between writing my own books. As to what I look for: 1) something that will surprise me, 2) something that will strike an emotional cord, 3) something that will make me laugh. Things that turn me off: a) heroes and heroines who are too powerful ... I like rather extraordinary ordinary (is that an oxymoron?) folks who rise to the challenge and despite all odds prevail, and not superheroes. b) Over-elaborate speech and writing. c) Screeds and polemics. d) Great dumps of exposition (I'd rather have my exposition appear in dribs and drabs, and not in one great indigestible lump). I do like stand-alone books, and some limited series (Jordon's Wheel of Time was overblown and overdrawn). Series with too much time between books is a bane (too much is forgotten between books). I'd rather read the first one and, if I like it, hope the rest are as good, and at that time begin collecting them but not reading them until the set is complete.My idea of a really good book includes some thought-provoking issues.
Some books are quite splendid by the prose and the tale tole: For example, Janny Wurts's "To Ride Hell's Chasm." A wonderful blend of prose and tale.
The secret to any good book is that it is a good story told well, and about a zillion things go into making that come true.
---Dennis
Dennis L. McKiernan wrote: "I rather like all of Patricia McKillip books. She is one author that I go out of my way to get her books to read when I am between writing my own books. As to what I look for: 1) something that ..."Hi, Dennis. I just sent you an invitation to join our next discussion!
Kite wrote: "Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Kite wrote: "I thought this would be easy to answer at first but it's actually pretty difficult.So I started to think about what I couldn't read and I have always put a ..."
True that!
I can never really tell if a book will be "my" kind of fantasy. Many things come into play, some of the time the first book in a series can get to me, and nothing stops me from reading 'till I am done. Then the second book ruins it for me. Logic does have a great part in it; if the author doesn't make the 'magical system' or the 'world' logical in it's entirety. I can't condone making magic or built worlds conform to an idea, rather the idea should conform to the world. Just like reality.
If your story stalls because of a glitch, making a new magical talent or new type of character pop up whenever you need takes so much out of it. Nothing ruins a story more, I feel, then when the story is fickle- changing the racetrack, I guess, rather than running in the rules already set at the start.
Wow, that was hard to es'plain!
Since this topic seems to have mostly died a quiet death, I'd like to extend a special thanks to Cinda Williams Chima, Jim C. Hines, Chaz Brenchley, and Sherwood Smith for their input and their willingness to participate in our chat.Of course, others can feel free to continue posting as you like.
Kernos wrote: "Entertainment, escapism and my-other-lives-ism, are primary reasons for my reading Fantasy and SciFi for that matter. I do not like the current fad for realism in media. My work deals too much with..."I'm very much in agreement with you actually; if I want something light I'll find it...but if I actually want to sit down for any length of time I choose more epic works...
Alex wrote: "I read Fantasy and Sci-Fi for the sense of wonder and escapism I feel when doing so. I love being able to throw out everything that's bothering me IRL and be transported to a new, exciting place. ..."I almost had a panic attack when I discovered that the Kushiel's Legacy was ending (I only have two books left) followed by sadness that lasted for the next few days...
Jim wrote: "...Sandra, I don't like it when the word "intelligent" is applied to a book..."I do like intelligent books, in any genre. By that I mean books that make me think, are conceptually challenging, can change the way I feel and think about me, you and life, cause me to research topics or words or ideas. Along with this I want delicious prose. Is this snobbish? 'Don't know; 'don't care. I like them.
Is there a Literary Fantasy genre? What works would qualify?
I am reading book one of a series, I think would qualify: Tales of Nevèrÿon by Samuel R. Delany. On one level it's a fantasy, on another it concerns the relation between civilization and language and on another is a course in semiology.
Another I would include is Janny's WoLaS series. They make me think and the prose is delicious.
What else?
Yes, that's snobbish. You're an intellectual snob, but I like you anyway.;-)
I know what you mean & agree, sometimes. Like anything else, it can be overdone. Being obscure for its own sake or artsy until reading becomes work bores me.
Alex wrote: "I read Fantasy and Sci-Fi for the sense of wonder and escapism I feel when doing so. I love being able to throw out everything that's bothering me IRL and be transported to a new, exciting place. ..."Yup, that sounds about right. I like going someplace new and exciting and spending some time there. I guess for me the operative word is fun -- which some people are calling "entertainment," which is fine. I want to go somewhere and enjoy my time there. That's why this new wave of gritty dark fantasy is okay in small doses (for me), but not something I want to make a habit of. (I'm looking at you, GoT.) Give me ER Burroughs in Pelluicadar any day. With slightly better dialogue maybe ;-)
Brad wrote: "... That's why this new wave of gritty dark fantasy is okay in small doses (for me), but not something I want to make a habit of...."Brat, I agree. I also prefer the lighter fantasy. I dislike darkness and I try to write on the lighter side of fantasy too. If I wish to escape reality, I want my escape zone to be bright and exciting: some adventure, some romance, some danger, a pinch of magic, and definitely the happy ending.
That's why I consider Tolkien pretty dark: it doesn't have hope in the end. The forces of good won, but at what price? I guess at the time it was written, hope was a rare commodity.
I like my fantasy with a cup of tea and a chocolate biscuit - it also helps if they're fast paced, dark plots with a touch of humour and realistic characters.
My paradox is what I read is contrary to what I like to write. I enjoy reading most fantasy, but if I think the books that have most thrilled me in the last few years, then they are pretty gritty and dark- George Rr Martin and Scott Lynch. When younger I loved Dragonlance and David Eddings and Terry Brooks, the lighter end I suppose.Currently am getting back to my 'roots' with Vance, Moorcock, Zelaney, Anderson.
Writing-wise, my stuff is lighter in tone with sojourns into excessive violence... Go figure!
Ross wrote: "My paradox is what I read is contrary to what I like to write. I enjoy reading most fantasy, but if I think the books that have most thrilled me in the last few years, then they are pretty gritty a..."Scott Lynch's Lies of Locke Lamora was probably about as perfect a fantasy book as I have ever come across.
LE wrote: "Ross wrote: "My paradox is what I read is contrary to what I like to write. I enjoy reading most fantasy, but if I think the books that have most thrilled me in the last few years, then they are pr..."Totally with you on that, LE. Someone asked me to describe it to them the other month and the best I could come up with was like 'Hustle' in a fantasy world. If Scorcese did fantasy it'd be this book ;-)
Kernos wrote: "Jim wrote: "...Sandra, I don't like it when the word "intelligent" is applied to a book..."I do like intelligent books, in any genre. By that I mean books that make me think, are conceptually cha..."
the idea of 'intelligent' or 'literary' fantasy books is interesting. Certainly there are good examples of fantasy books that don't patronise the reader excessively-- I think Erikson's Malazan series is an example- Gardens of the Moon throws you in half way through a story with millennia of back-plot and you flounder for the first hundred or so pages.
Pacy, but with depth, memorable characters, exciting action scenes, but well written throughout.
What this discussion really suggests is that we are somehow surprised that there could be ‘intelligent’ books in the fantasy genre – but why ? It’s a genre like any other, and as in any other there must surely be the whole range of authors and writings, from the fluff to the solid, gritty, rock. And for most of us, I suspect (certainly for me) the range we like is fairly wide, and depends on how we are feeling at any given time. Who’s going to say that they don’t like ‘intelligent’ books in the definitions we have here – like the one from Kernos: ’books that make me think, are conceptually challenging, can change the way I feel and think about me, you and life, cause me to research topics or words or ideas’. If we don’t like those, why are we reading anyway?Like Jim’s, my kids read voraciously – and I think it started because when they were tiny we read them stories, then they got picture books, then moved on to other things – fantasy quite early on – which kept the appetite going. And now both of them read with a concentrated attention that excludes anything or anyone else around them. I believe that fantasy – good, exciting stuff with enough to chew on and to make them think, helped to get them there. And basically that’s what I want too – stuff that keeps the attention, that makes you think, and that has writing quality enough to give pleasure as it goes by.
Ross wrote: "LE wrote: "Ross wrote: "My paradox is what I read is contrary to what I like to write. I enjoy reading most fantasy, but if I think the books that have most thrilled me in the last few years, then ..."It's such a shame Lynch is battling with depression. I preordered the third instalment about two years ago and have cleared a space on my bookshelf and everything. Hopefully he'll be better soon.
I know. I think the pressure really mounted up on him after the second book and it must be really difficult been in the position where you are dealing with such high expectation.
David wrote: "Who’s going to say that they don’t like ‘intelligent’ books in the definitions we have here – like the one from Kernos: ’books that make me think, are conceptually challenging, can change the way I feel and think about me, you and life, cause me to research topics or words or ideas’. If we don’t like those, why are we reading anyway?"We read for different reasons at different times, surely. Sometimes we want 'conceptually challenging' and sometimes we just want entertaining. Fantasy (in the broadest sense) has the power to address the deepest issues of the human condition, but it's also the ultimate in escapism, since it's not even set in the real world.
Personally, I like something with a bit more depth than mere fluff, but not so deep it's a struggle to read. Malazan is definitely in the 'struggle to read' box. One day, maybe, I'll give it another go, but not yet.
I enjoyed the challenge of Malazan and its pace also. I do agree with both Pauline and Jaq that what you want out of any book, fantasy or not, depends on your mood. Somedays you just want the equivalent of a fantasy soap opera, somedays the Orson Wells version :-)
Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Tales of Nevèrÿon (other topics)The Fox (other topics)
Inda (other topics)
The Lions of Al-Rassan (other topics)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Samuel R. Delany (other topics)Jim C. Hines (other topics)
Terry Pratchett (other topics)
Sherwood Smith (other topics)
Jim C. Hines (other topics)
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So I started to think about what I couldn't read and I have always put a book down when it became just too bleak. I'm not saying I need a rosey happy ending, in fact, I don't always prefer one. But there is a point sometimes where too much has happened to the characters - they're tormented too much, traumtized, completely distraunt. That's when I have to stop. I can't sit there through too much suffering or hopelessness. There has to be a little hope, there has to be something to keep me believing there is something that can be done.
Provided the author can keep the hope, I like the complicated characters and a fast moving story. I don't mind when the speed slows for a more thought provoking story. The growth of the characters is also something I look for but won't know about until I'm finished. I like realistic humor or witty humor but not the down right silly stupid stuff.
As for magic or subgenre of fantasy, I don't think I have a strong preference but I do like the original universe with characters you can identify with. That's a winning combo with me.
For instance, I started reading The Battle Sylph and The Black Prisim. Both have unusual fantasy elements, but I loved the first and shook off the latter. It wasn't because I like romance or anything - it was just that The Battle Sylph had characters I could relate with. Both were very original but The Black Prisim seemed a little too foreign in both its world workings and its characters.