Exactly. In these stories, magic doesn't dictate the end results often. It can't be the dominating factor because when it is the dominating factor, the story is boring and bland. Nobody in the house of dragons has unlimited power. Everyone is held in check by something. It makes the story more compelling. Each character also has flaws, to go with their redeeming qualities.
RogerThatKid t1_j1v0y2z wrote
Reply to comment by theyusedthelamppost in why are modern fantasy series so bad? by Hafeesco
Exactly. In these stories, magic doesn't dictate the end results often. It can't be the dominating factor because when it is the dominating factor, the story is boring and bland. Nobody in the house of dragons has unlimited power. Everyone is held in check by something. It makes the story more compelling. Each character also has flaws, to go with their redeeming qualities.