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1. Fantasy worlds based nearly exactly on pseudo-historical places/research/cultures. This especially includes the Celts. And I'm looking at so many perpetrators here, I can't even name one. With few exceptions, this comes off as particularly lazy on the author's part. Not to mention boring for me since I know a lot about various cultures and can therefore figure out a lot of the so-called "surprises" before they happen.
a) This also usually includes combining all Asian countries together as one big happy country, which, except when it's done for parody, usually leaves me with the urge to mail the author an atlas and then hire the ninja assassins that always crop up to make sure the information actually makes contact with the author's brain...
2. Otherwise intelligent (or at least semi-intelligent) characters acting stupid in order to advance the plot. Another case where there are so many offenders, it's hard to single out one, but I will endeavor to do so. J. K. Rowling in OotP - you disappointed me so much. The only author who consistently avoids this, is Terry Pratchet. So kudos to you, Terry.
3. Continuing, semi-decent fantasy series that seriously degrade in quality over time. Why, hello, Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind.
4. Authors who let their message overwhelm the plot. Dear Phillip Pulman, Sometimes less is more.
5. Authors who assume their readers are stupid and make things, really, really obvious. Yes, in general, readers are stupid, but that doesn't mean you have to cater to the lowest common denominator.
6. Lack of strong female characters and/or the token strong female character still has some whimpy girly weakness at heart so the male characters can look better.
7. Lack of linguistical realism. If someone is transported to a magical world, you better have a damn good reason they can speak and understand everyone around them.
8. Overuse of cliched phrases. Dan Brown we hatess you. Gollum. Gollum.
9. Using physical characteristics in place of characterization. Like say, letting a person's blindness or having red hair be the most defining thing about them.
10. Characters who can do no wrong in their author's eyes.
a) This also usually includes combining all Asian countries together as one big happy country, which, except when it's done for parody, usually leaves me with the urge to mail the author an atlas and then hire the ninja assassins that always crop up to make sure the information actually makes contact with the author's brain...
2. Otherwise intelligent (or at least semi-intelligent) characters acting stupid in order to advance the plot. Another case where there are so many offenders, it's hard to single out one, but I will endeavor to do so. J. K. Rowling in OotP - you disappointed me so much. The only author who consistently avoids this, is Terry Pratchet. So kudos to you, Terry.
3. Continuing, semi-decent fantasy series that seriously degrade in quality over time. Why, hello, Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind.
4. Authors who let their message overwhelm the plot. Dear Phillip Pulman, Sometimes less is more.
5. Authors who assume their readers are stupid and make things, really, really obvious. Yes, in general, readers are stupid, but that doesn't mean you have to cater to the lowest common denominator.
6. Lack of strong female characters and/or the token strong female character still has some whimpy girly weakness at heart so the male characters can look better.
7. Lack of linguistical realism. If someone is transported to a magical world, you better have a damn good reason they can speak and understand everyone around them.
8. Overuse of cliched phrases. Dan Brown we hatess you. Gollum. Gollum.
9. Using physical characteristics in place of characterization. Like say, letting a person's blindness or having red hair be the most defining thing about them.
10. Characters who can do no wrong in their author's eyes.
