Systems of Magic, and a request

[rising_moon]

Recently I've read a few excellent fantasy novels which were written around believable, consistent, and reasonable systems of magic. Believable magic is one of the elements that will sell me on a writer. I've enjoyed The Abhorsen Trilogy, by Garth Nix, and, most recently, The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss.

I've learned that Brandon Sanderson, who wrote this essay on systems of magic, is going to finish Robert Jordan's 12th and final novel of the Wheel of Time series. Depending on my Lady's response to his work, I might take up the first one. :)

Unrelatedly (maybe): can any of you recommend a good history (articles, blogs, anything) of technical approaches to affixing Identity? That is, assuring that individuals are who they say they are? I'm making a study of transaction psychology -- financial services inclined but not fixed -- and would love some background data on approaches to identity assurance. Thanks!

Comments

[rising-moon.livejournal.com]

this is just because I'm an opposing partisan

And this is one of the reasons I love your commentary! :D

Your review of Last Call described the chief fallout from the Rules hangup: half a book's worth of Law, then half a book's worth of the writer shoehorning the plot into the Law.

Then there's China Mieville, whom you know I adore, who simply makes shit up as he goes along, and you realize that his rules are beside the point.

Susanna Clark, eh? Where should I start?

[hissilliness.livejournal.com]

Clark has two books out. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is her novel, and The Ladies of Grace Adieu is short stories set in the same world.

[rising-moon.livejournal.com]

Oh, duh. Thank you. I'm sorry to say that I started Jonathan Strange and then The Ladies, feeling like I should enjoy them, since all my friends did, but I didn't quite gel with either one. I never really liked Mr. Norrell enough to get over his being painted as unlikeable... or something. Maybe you can convince me to pick up Strange again.

[dilletante.livejournal.com]

huh, in general i find tim powers does a good job of preserving a sense of wonder with his rules-- i can't always predict what's going to work for his characters but usually it feels like it fits with the rest of the magic in retrospect.

[rising-moon.livejournal.com]

Now, I really enjoyed Last Call, particularly for stunts like the lead's imaginative approach to attending the title event. :) The hero/maiden/mother myth scene at the lake, though, kind of felt shoehorned in to fill out the rest of the archetype.

I'll return it with cookies. :)