Literally Geeky discussion

What do you look for in a genre world? Do you like your fantasy old, crusty and psuedo-European medieval,or something a little .. different?

Does content matter as much as self consistent rules?

A bit of both, actually. I love worlds populated with dragons, elves, and goblins as much as the next fantasy geek. But, at the same time, a little bit of realism doesn't hurt either.

Example: I love the way Patrick Rothfuss bases the magic of his Kingkiller Chronicle world on things like alchemy and chemistry.

Rothfuss' magic system and it's respect of the conservation of energy is really satisfying.

I get very annoyed by unfeasible politics: when a country doesn't seem sustainable, or there's no thought to the balance of power. It's all very well saving the world, but do you think *everyone* is going to be grateful?