That Magic was Awesome

There are many different ways to present magic in a story and many authors do, in fact, incorporate it differently with more or less explanation about how it works. Unfortunately, there is not a clear answer for what is needed or how much explanation is needed for a story and sometimes it’s a matter of personal preference on the reader’s part.

It seems to me, based on my reading experience, that high fantasies generally lean more towards more minimal magic explanation. How and when magic works or can be used is very simple. There are still defined rules on how magic works, but the author doesn’t explain all the inner workings. Instead, it is much simpler. We get the rules of magic are this and this now move on. Then, we mostly see it in action.

Some examples are the Dragonlance series, the Belgariad series, The Sword of Shannara series. Dragonlance would be the most descriptive of these three examples. We are told that mages are required to constantly memorize their spells. After they use them, they forget them so once again they memorize. It also takes strength to work the magic, so it can be hard on those physically weak and a mage can only use so many spells at one time. As for the Belgariad series, magic works with the will and the way. Those two elements are the key to being able to work magic, and it can do many things. It also seems that only a few people are able to use those two elements to become magic users. With Sword of Shannara, there is very minimal explanation on the workings of magic. Only a few can wield it. However, it is plain that magic does come with its consequences. Magic should definitely be used sparingly and when necessary because using it could back fire just as much as be helpful.

This type of magic incorporation, however minimal, is still engaging and exciting for the reader when done well. Often times, the extra explanation or complexity is not necessary. The author gives enough to the reader to be engaging and to believe in it, but doesn’t give any in depth workings. As long as the author doesn’t use magic as a get out of jail free card, the reader often doesn’t feel the need to ask lots of questions. In fact, retaining the mystery of magic enhances the experience. 

Maybe this is because in a fantasy world we expect there to be magic and unique elements. Readers are experiencing the wonder of unearthly abilities and how amazing it would be to be able to do or experience those things themselves. Plus, fantasy worlds generally exist in a non-science or technology stage. Magic is often the substitute for science. With less complex societies, maybe we take magic to be what it is at face value. We see the world and how it works as much more of a mystery, so the magic being a mystery is expected and exciting. 

As for urban fantasy, magic is often much more of a complex deal. The author explains many of the ins and outs of working magic. The rules, applications, and practice of magic is much more concrete and detailed. There are a couple different possibilities on why that might be that I can think of. The first possibility is based on the fact that many urban fantasies are written in first person or limited third person that is narrated very close to the character. High fantasy stories are, more often, written in third person omniscient or a third person limited that is more distant from the characters. With the narration being closer and more personal to the characters working the magic, we see magic directly from the view of the person wielding it. The author is free to narrate what the magic user is knows, is feeling, experiencing, or thinking. In many ways, we experience what it is like to be a magic user.

Another possible explanation as to why urban fantasy might have more complex and fleshed out magic systems is because it is working in conjunction with our world as we know it now. Our culture and societies are heavily engrained in science. Science is very detailed and explainable. There is an order to it. Science works a particular way with steps or reasons that one thing leads to another thing. So, magic, to be more believable and concrete in our world needs to have a reason and explanation as to why it works or doesn’t work. The tone and complexity of the magic fits the tone and complexity of our world.

Some examples are the Dresden Files, Allie Beckstrom, and Hidden Legacy. In both the Hidden Legacy and Allie Beckstrom, the reader experiences the feelings and abilities the main characters have when working magic. There is some explanation as to how the magic works, but the focus is the experience of magic. The sensations of using magic, feeling magic, and being affected by magic are all described and expressed. When they work magic, the steps and actions to perform the magic, mental or physical, are all there for the reader to see. With Dresden Files, the series has a lot of magic in it, and it is a very complex thought out system for why magic works and what makes it work. The author, Jim Butcher, really explains and develops the world of magic and includes even the tiny details. Every single book helps build more concepts and knowledge about magic and how it works or doesn’t work. Butcher also really explains the emotional and mental effects of the magic to make it a full clear picture of what it is like to be a wizard.

Though we lose some of the mystery of magic with this style of writing, I find it makes magic cool in a different way. Instead of the wonder and mystery being the engaging factor of magic, the way magic works and how it is used is the engaging and exciting factor. Magic also often times evolves through events or evolves for the reader as he or she continues to learn new aspects, rules, and exceptions to the way magic works or is used.

Of course, there are some that mix and match between more explanation or less and it isn’t exclusive to either high fantasy or urban fantasy. Different stories require a different amount of explanation and magic building. The only thing that is important for an author and a reader is, is it engaging and exciting for the reader to experience. If it is written poorly or is not an engaging magical system, then readers will not be as excited about it. However, that is the case for many things in books and stories. Also, different readers have different preferences. A reader just has to find the right story for what he or she likes.