Story!
I'll read most anything that fall in my lap, but I am primarily a scifi/fantasy/steampunk/cyberpunk/grimdark/urban fantasy fan. Writing style, world building, characterization... These thing are all important, but are distant seconds to story. Even purple prose (see most of Stephen King's catalogue) gets a pass if it's telling a good story.
I typically give a book 50 pages (give or take) to start telling me a good story. No good story? I'm off to the next book. If that one won't give up the goods (good story) then I'll head for the next on the list. Story above all else.
Now, having said that... Truly poor writing, world building, characterization, etc... can certainly put me off a book, even if it has a good story. But, they have to be really bad if the story's good.
Did I mention that story is kinda important?!?
I'll read most anything that fall in my lap, but I am primarily a scifi/fantasy/steampunk/cyberpunk/grimdark/urban fantasy fan. Writing style, world building, characterization... These thing are all important, but are distant seconds to story. Even purple prose (see most of Stephen King's catalogue) gets a pass if it's telling a good story.
I typically give a book 50 pages (give or take) to start telling me a good story. No good story? I'm off to the next book. If that one won't give up the goods (good story) then I'll head for the next on the list. Story above all else.
Now, having said that... Truly poor writing, world building, characterization, etc... can certainly put me off a book, even if it has a good story. But, they have to be really bad if the story's good.
Did I mention that story is kinda important?!?
Thief and assassin for hire. Member in good standing of the Rogues Guild.
