This is something my OCD wants me to do, please don't overthink why I'm asking for this, and please don't judge me.
The most important things that I look for in my stories are good pacing(doesn't have to fast paced, although that is a huge plus), and for the characters and events to be consistently compelling. Really good, descriptive combat is a major plus. I don't think I've ever read anything that nails all of this better than what is now my favorite fantasy novel, Savage Rebellion #1: Savage Legion by Matt Wallace. Also, it's sci-fi and I'm more into fantasy, but my favorite book is Dark Matter by Blake Crouch.
I also have tried a lot of most popular fantasy writers stuff, and I can't get into their stuff. This includes Brandon Sanderson. I also can't get into The Green Bone Saga either. Great stuff by great authors, they're just not for me.
I've only finished 2 series as an adult(one of which I can no longer stand, the other is City of Nightmares, and it was great!) and I'm trying to change that.
Some of my other faves are Amina Al-Sifari, The Sword Defiant, Gideon Sable #1, Poster Girl by Veronica Roth, Sins Of Empire, and a several of The Dresden Files novels.
Did I say too little? If so, what other into would help?
Am I being too specific? If so, what could I drop that would make me not be so pedantic?
by ExplodingPoptarts