Different books have different strengths. Many SF (as opposed to Fantasy) novels are "ideas" books, where the Idea is the thing. And sometimes it's a cool idea, and sometimes the characters are a bit flat, but it doesn't matter (much). Just think Asimov, who wasn't that great at characterisation. On the other hand, Greg Egan, who also writes Ideas books, has had a tendency to write characters that I find really annoying and irritating, so that does drive me away.
But, getting back to Fantasy, which doesn't tend to be Ideas stories...
What are the factors? A. characters (naturally) B. world-building C. Sense Of Wonder D. beauty of the writing (which often goes hand-in-hand with the Sense of Wonder) E. plot
Though there are some fantasy novels that don't go the Sense-of-Wonder+Beauty route, that I still like muchly, such as "Howl's Moving Castle" or "Guards! Guards!" which are amusing because they're knowingly subverting the conventions of the genre; not certain what category that puts them in.
But thinking of classic favourites -- "The Lord of the Rings", "The Riddlemaster of Hed", the Amber series, "The Curse of Chalion", "Watership Down" -- they have all of these, though to a lesser or greater extent.
I mean, "The Curse of Chalion", who doesn't love Cazaril? But we wouldn't love him so much if he hadn't had all these character-building challenges to overcome, would we? Character Is Plot -- and Plot Is Character. We love Frodo and Sam because they show determination and loyalty and love in the face of horrible adversities, which they wouldn't have encountered if they'd just stayed at home...
But, getting back to Fantasy, which doesn't tend to be Ideas stories...
What are the factors?
A. characters (naturally)
B. world-building
C. Sense Of Wonder
D. beauty of the writing (which often goes hand-in-hand with the Sense of Wonder)
E. plot
Though there are some fantasy novels that don't go the Sense-of-Wonder+Beauty route, that I still like muchly, such as "Howl's Moving Castle" or "Guards! Guards!" which are amusing because they're knowingly subverting the conventions of the genre; not certain what category that puts them in.
But thinking of classic favourites -- "The Lord of the Rings", "The Riddlemaster of Hed", the Amber series, "The Curse of Chalion", "Watership Down" -- they have all of these, though to a lesser or greater extent.
I mean, "The Curse of Chalion", who doesn't love Cazaril? But we wouldn't love him so much if he hadn't had all these character-building challenges to overcome, would we? Character Is Plot -- and Plot Is Character. We love Frodo and Sam because they show determination and loyalty and love in the face of horrible adversities, which they wouldn't have encountered if they'd just stayed at home...
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