Stop Frustrating Readers—Fix Your Magic System Now

Gina Kammer Author

Apr 09, 2025 |

Find out why a strong magic system is crucial for your fantasy novel—captivate readers, deepen characters, and create immersive, unforgettable stories

Your story will get lost in the noise and readers won’t want to finish your book if your magic system isn’t strong. But you can easily create a stronger magic system for your fantasy novels with a few key pieces I’m going to share with you right here.

You want readers to be so in awe of your story and its incredible magic that they can’t stop raving about it. And honestly, what better marketing is there than that? Better yet, you want readers to catch themselves going about their day, thinking or nearly speaking in terms of your magic system because it’s become second-nature to them. So immersed as they were, it’s hard for them to extract themselves from the world of your story. It was THAT believable while they were living in it.

What a powerful impact you can have!

Crafting a strong magic system isn’t only coming up with cool powers—it’s about:

• Fulfilling the right expectations
• Adding purpose to your story
• Giving your readers an immersive experience

Anything less is a poorly crafted magic system—one that can ruin a perfectly good story. Why? When we look at insights from brain science that show the effects of stories on readers, it’s these three major themes that emerge. Let's explore each one, and I'll show you what it takes to avoid letting your magic system development bring down your whole story. 

But... hold up!

What Is a Strong Magic System?

First, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. A magic system is simply the set of rules, limitations, and abilities that define the supernatural forces in your fantasy world. These elements are the very essence of the fantasy genre, and if done right, they can transform your novel into something unforgettable.

But here’s the key:

A STRONG magic system isn’t just a collection of magical rules. A strong magic system is one that feels compelling, consistent, and integral to both the story arc and the world.

Ultimately—meaning, by your final manuscript draft—your magic system should be informed by the needs of your story, and not the other way around. Otherwise, you disregard the reader experience—the very thing you want your story to satisfy if you hope to publish a marketable book.

Before you put all your time and effort into making the most unique or complex magic system, remember: to be truly strong, a magic system—no matter how much it even shows up in your novel—needs to fulfill reader expectations within your worldbuilding, shape plot and character arcs purposefully, and immerse readers in the story for an experience they crave.

Why You Need a Strong Magic System for Your Fantasy Novel

So now that you know the definition I'm working with, let's get back to it! Why do you need to craft a strong magic system and how much does it matter? Like... what if you have a great story, and the magic isn't actually that crucial to it? Does it still need more effort to be put into a whole system? 

Well, it boils down to three main keys (the same keys needed to enchant your readers in other areas and stages of novel writing too, in fact!), and it's in these keys that we can glean the secret ingredients to fix any magic system's weak spots:

Reason #1. Because Readers Expect A Solid Magic System 

(Worldbuilding)

A compelling, consistent, well-integrated magic system is something readers expect. When your magic is inconsistent or confusing, readers feel disconnected. Brain science shows readers want to predict possibilities for where a story might go. When too much about your magic is hidden or unclear, your readers are stuck asking basic questions just to understand what’s happening, rather than diving into deeper, more engaging questions that keep them hooked.

Magic systems are a big worldbuilding pitfall for meeting these reader expectations because they easily slide into inconsistency or get a bit too hand-wavey without enough grounding for readers to project from confidently.

And a quick sidenote here—obviously, reader projections don't have to be correct for readers to enjoy your story. In fact, readers are usually delighted to be proven wrong! At least, as long as their hindsight shows how the surprise direction was clearly set up all along...

As a reader, you've probably encountered the opposite situation: where the magic system suddenly gets tossed aside during the climax. Even though the protagonist shouldn’t be able to defeat the enemy based on the established rules, she manages to win simply because she needs to, wants to, or feels strongly enough about it. She taps into a hidden reserve of power or wields unexplained super magic in that crucial moment.This kind of victory feels empty and unearned—it doesn’t resonate or satisfy.

Magic systems provide plenty of opportunities to play with and fulfill reader expectations well:

• Establish a firm foundation for how your magic works, so readers understand enough to think deeply about its possibilities.
• Delightfully surprise readers by using the magic creatively within those set boundaries.

This applies even to softer or less central magic systems—because no matter the type of magic or genre, consistency and consequences are key to keeping readers invested.

Fun Fact: The craft of creating good magic systems applies to science fiction technology too!

Reason #1a. It’s a Genre Expectation

Speaking of genre, a strong magic system is essential in a fantasy novel because it’s a core expectation of the genre. Magic—or the supernatural—is one of the defining elements that separate fantasy from other genres. Readers come to fantasy specifically looking for it!

Of course, a “magic system” can take many forms. It might involve:

• Magical creatures
• Enchanted objects
• Spells activated through words or ingredients
• God-like powers
• Inborn magical abilities

It could even be so rare that it barely shows up in your story at all. What's important is that your magic system is consistent and follows its own internal logic. But consistency doesn't mean your magic can't have additional layers or opportunities for deeper understanding that are gradually revealed. This allows for a sense of the mystical while maintaining worldbuilding continuity.

When magic is deeply integrated into your world, it feels immersive, and your readers will find it believable in the context of your story.

Whether your system is highly structured, like The Wheel of Time’s One Power, or more mystical, like in Lord of the Rings, it needs to be consistent and natural within the world you've built.

No matter where it falls on this spectrum, a well-crafted magic system adds depth to your world and story. Whether it’s grand or subtle, it must fit seamlessly into the world’s fabric, and that takes some intentional crafting!

Think of how magic is part of everyday life in Harry Potter, or how "bending" shapes culture in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Your magic system should influence politics, society, and daily life in meaningful ways.

Whatever form your magic takes, these supernatural elements are what give your novel its distinctive fantasy feel. And regardless of how prominent or subtle, they all need to function consistently and serve a meaningful role in the story.

Reason #2. Because Readers Subconsciously Want to Gain Value from It 

(Character Arcs)

That brings me to the second theme of what readers are looking for in your magic system: its deeper purpose in the story—subconsciously, at least. In my work with authors, we call this element “enlightenment.” Your magic system—whatever form it takes—needs to enhance the meaning of your story and contribute to what readers subconsciously learn from it.

When magic systems are thrown together without being integrated into the character’s arc of transformation, this major element of the novel isn’t serving the story as a connected whole and weakens all of it. Instead, the magic system should be used to provide further obstacle and challenge for your character’s particular brand of struggle. By doing this, your magic system adds more weight to the story arc, providing obstacles and challenges that heighten the tension and drive the reader forward.

A strong magic system isn't background decoration—it drives your plot and character arcs. Consider Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn: Allomancy’s rules create endless plot opportunities and character conflicts. The system’s limitations increase tension, especially in battles, where characters must think strategically and use only the metals they have on hand. Each metal has a specific power, and using magic comes at a cost. When Vin runs out of metals during a fight, she has to find a creative solution, keeping readers on edge.

When you have clear rules and limits, your characters struggle against those boundaries, creating tension that keeps readers turning the pages. (Such boundaries also cause you to be a more creative writer because of the way those limits bring about more disparate ideas to combine into a new idea—don't you love brain science?!)

And tension is key to character transformations.

Magic doesn't just serve the plot—it powerfully enhances character development. How your characters interact with magic reveals their true selves, often forcing them to face truths they'd rather avoid.

Take Ged from Ursula K. Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea: his reckless use of magic summons a shadow creature that represents his inner turmoil, and his journey to master his powers mirrors his personal growth. Ged’s early arrogance leads to a costly mistake. His journey to master his powers parallels his growth as a person. The magic system here isn’t just a set of rules—it’s a reflection of deeper themes like responsibility and self-acceptance.

Magic systems that challenge characters force difficult choices:

• Does magic have a price?
• Are there consequences for using it?

This struggle creates growth and depth for your characters.

Whether your characters are practitioners or outsiders to the magic, a strong system pushes them along their paths of transformation through the choices they make and the consequences they reap.

Magic is most compelling when it reveals and challenges your characters’ true selves.

OK, I know that turning your story into a marketable book is already such an extensive process with a lot of pieces... and you also want to make sure your magic system is doing what your story and your readers need it to (across a whole novel-length project no less...). But if at this point it starts to feel like there are too many things you need to be juggling at once to reach your story goals, oh wow, are you NOT alone! 

So before giving you one more reason and all the things to consider for your story because of it, I want to make sure you grab my free guide to help you through the whole process from idea to marketable book. This is the same robust roadmap I take my author clients through. You’ll identify your next steps and map a clear path forward, regardless of your current stage in the writing process. Plus, it contains my complete checklist of the process so you can stay on track with your publishing goals. Get the Word Wizard's Journey: Turn Your Story Idea into a Marketable Book HERE.

Now that you're better armed, let’s cover the final reason you need a strong magic system!

Reason #3. Because Readers Want an Immersive Experience 

(Escape)

One of the biggest reasons readers consciously turn to fantasy is for the immersive escape it offers. But this escape is more than just a portal to new worlds—it’s an emotional and experiential journey. To deliver this immersive experience, your magic system must be well-developed and naturally woven into your point-of-view (POV) characters’ perspectives.

Immersion comes from characters' experiences. Readers connect to your story when they understand what matters to your characters. If a character cares deeply about something—a magical artifact, a spell, a unique power—then your reader will care too. This is why your magic system is most effective when filtered through the unique perspective of your POV character.

If your POV character practices magic, they'll likely understand its complexities and nuances. Readers should then experience magic through this expertise, which requires you to have a deep understanding of your magic, even beyond what's directly on the page. The more intimately you know your system, the more naturally you present it through your characters’ actions and thoughts.

On the flip side, if your POV character is an outsider to the magic, they might only glimpse its effects or react emotionally without fully grasping the mechanics. For readers, magic will feel more mysterious, yet it must still follow your world's established rules. Even if your character doesn't fully understand the magic, you must—this maintains internal consistency and keeps magic believable.

In either case, whether your character is deeply knowledgeable about magic or simply in awe of it from the outside, the key to immersion is a magic system that feels seamless and purposeful. It should enhance your story’s themes, character arcs, and worldbuilding in ways that both satisfy and enchant your readers. The promises you set up—about how magic works, what it can achieve, and what it costs—must be consistently fulfilled.

To provide readers the immersive experience they crave, craft your magic system with enough detail that it feels real and grounded. When you understand how magic ties into your story's themes and impacts your characters, you weave it organically into your characters' perspectives and your entire fantasy world. This creates the vicarious, immersive experience readers love, drawing them in and keeping them engaged.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to start from scratch to craft a strong magic system. In my next article, I’ll dive into the four types of magic systems every fantasy author should know—and show you how to use them to build compelling, immersive worlds that keep readers hooked.

Categories: : magic systems, novel planning, worldbuilding