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So what do you think? Some people say the author, the plot, the chracters, etc. But what is your opinion?

The plot, characters, and their story, to be sure. I find though, that if the author doesn't have good sentence structure and a fluid style of writing, that I can't really get into the book. While short and choppy writing may be appropriate for a certain situation, I don't want to read a whole novel of it. Author is a big part for me.

I think for some people the author does make the book, but generally, as a whole, who the writer is does not usually depend on how well the book is received.

For me, I usually don't read books that are general, or have your typical plots and characters. Typically I don't read books with heroines in them for the sole reason that I can't handle reading drama. I also find that many of the books I've read with female protagonists seek to accomplish the same goals, the same ways, as every other female character ever written, the right and fair way. Female characters never seem to be very out of the box, as it were. But I won't go off on that anymore.

Back to my first point, I read the back covers and in-covers of nearly every book I come across, and sadly that is what makes me want to read or not read it. If it sounds not so much innovative, I don't read it, even if its one of favourite authors. I know 95% of books written are the same Joe redressed and renamed on a different world doing the same thing, but, if the author can't mix it up enough so that I can't tell, I don't bother with it.

Nobody has said this yet, but does anyone else overlook books that have shitty cover art? I'm sorry but a book has to catch my eye, be created so that simply passing by the book the artwork grabs me, slaps me and says READ IT! I know its a shallow aesthetic habit but I do it.

I agree that writing style is a huge factor. I prefer authors who have short, clean sentences. I hate authors who use A. made up words, B. dead words, and/or C. use many words that I need to physically look up. Twilight bugged me because every 3rd chapter Meyer would throw a million dollar word into the story that NEVER ADDED to it. British authors I love because of the dialogue, but the narration kills me, I end up having to guess what words mean and I'm an English major and my vocabulary is pretty extensive.

I know I've more or less covered this in the last few paragraphs but I just want to see that I agree with azafran, characters need to be extensively thought out and well written, challenged and injured, scarred but triumphant. I'm not going to lie, I like solo heroes over groups of heroes. Mostly I prefer solos because they usually have a cause and they don't care about anything else until its accomplished. I find groups boring and dynamics are usually overly done up and there's always one traitor, who wait! Turns good at the end or sacrifices themselves for the good of the others. Either that, or they are the typical group, the leader who is super strong and level headed, next to always male; the compassionate female character who is destined to die a virgin; the witty annoyance who hits on everything with legs, usually male; and last but not least, the brawn, the huge muscle bound tank, some times subbed out for a knowledgeable wizard though that roles is usually mixed in with the sole female character.

Well I think I've gone on enough, a few thoughts turned out quite a bit of writing.

That's cool, I'd actually like to see someone write up a list of decent heroine based novels cause I'm always up for a good read.

I know what you're saying about the fame train, how many wizard books came out after Goblet of Fire? Since Harry Potter wasn't exactly famous in the muggle world till after his 3rd year at Hogwarts. Let alone, how many magic based fantasy books flooded the shelves after Harry Potter became mainstream? And, pardon my use of the word, Eragon, after that hit shelves and exploded, why I still have no idea, there were hundreds of new books with kid to teen heroes, all no better written either.

And now with Twilight, Vampire novels are making a huge comeback. Already my book store has a table with "Horror" *cough* VAMPIRE *cough* books all nicely laid out and displayed because Meyer hit a gold vein and exploded with wealth and now a movie.

Ah well, such is the world of writing.

A lot of things; but for me, a good book has to have visually rich characters with intensive description regarding their pasts and ofcourse a book must have a kick butt plot to survive the most laid back critics.

Ones with a main plot, and character development, a general good flow, not too many details. I don't mind some descriptions but too many ruins the book. A interesting plot, and story. If there is are many plots there should be one main and they should not over step the main plot but flow with it.

What I love is Fantasy books that have real objects and places in them,and interesting titles..............wait,the second one was kinda obvious sweatdrop

Lets get back to my first point.A book with facts and real life places/monuments etc,is what I love,anyone else agree?

I also like the flaws in the characters,like Artemis Fowl,he's bad with emotions,Nicholas Flamel,everybody hates him,even though he's the good guy.That's why I'm not a great fan of the Alex Rider books,he's just too perfect,he can fight,he's smart,he's fit,he gets the ladies,hardly ever injured and so on.

Cover art is a big factor for me,so is the title,but if one is bad,then I say 'no'.eg.Great cover,but bad name and vice versa.

The same author thing,if that was a crime,then I'd been in jail for 30 years.
I nearly always pick a book from an author I know well,just a habit I guess.