Types of Magic

[Iridescence]

Okay. So, I'm currently reading this book called Runemarks by Joanne Harris, a book about Norse mythology, and the magic system is made up of these Norse letters called runes. The source of the magic is a sort of inner "fire" called glam. As I was reading, I noticed that I really liked the rune method of spellcasting, with each rune having a specific function - like Kaen, which is Wildfire, or Isa, which is ice.

I was then reminded of the book Sabriel by Garth Nix, in which the necromancer's magic comes from these seven bells that can bind or repell the dead, or Charter signs, which are written symbols.

What I'm wondering is, what interesting types of magic appeal to you? For example, do you like the way the magicians in Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus novels don't actually have their own magic, but summon spirits to do all the actual magic? Have you invented your own magical system that you think is unique?

(If there is already a thread about this, can someone quietly direct me to said thread? Fanks. -_-; )

[Bowie20049]

I kinda like it when the magic system is somehow played out through the world. Like if the people use magic to replace technology and that sort of "magic is science" is the norm in the world.

[Syn]

I am quite impressed with Brandon Sanderson's magic systems. They're all quite original, and the ones from Mistborn are just plain AWESOME! They're kind of based on magic-fied physics (and perhaps some chemistry?), and they're really great. Quite versatile, useful and well rounded and very well incorporated with the world itself.
The basic premise is that various types of metals are used in one of the three ways, and some power is granted from it. It's simple in idea, yet quite complex and well thought of in practice.

I also liked the magic from The Farseer trilogy. It's so subtle and believable. Often, when I stopped reading the books, I thought how natural it seems and how real life should feature that kind of 'magic'.
One type is basically about the ability to communicate and influence people's thoughts telepathically, and the other is the ability to communicate with the animals. It's nothing flashy, but it works well with the whole story, I think.

[Rage]

Don't know if you can class it as magic, but I really loved how alchemy was done in Full Metal Alchemist. The idea of equivalent exchange was awesome, it made sense.

[Write]

I like the many worlds Diana Wynne Jones has in her series Chrestomanci

[Bowie20049]

Don't know if you can class it as magic, but I really loved how alchemy was done in Full Metal Alchemist. The idea of equivalent exchange was awesome, it made sense.

What else would you call it?