Been thinking about this after finishing The Name of the Wind. Rothfuss's sympathy system has rules, costs, and limits — it feels real. Compare that to magic systems where the hero just gets more powerful whenever the plot needs it. What are the best magic systems you've read?
Sanderson's laws of magic are the gold standard. First law: an author can solve problems with magic to the extent that the reader understands said magic. The Mistborn allomancy system is the best example — every ability is defined, every cost is clear.
ACOTAR magic is vibes-based and I love it for that lol. Sometimes you don't want rules you just want POWER and DRAMA
The magic in Dune isn't really magic but the way the spice works — perception, prescience, physical enhancement — it has costs and they matter to the plot. That's good design.
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