Very true about the idea of a well written story. It's different for each of us, of course. And I totally agree that a writer like Angelfish and Slantedlight (who wrote the story you mentioned) are beautiful writers. They suck you right into a story with their wonderful style. And there are those concise writers who also have a way with their words who do the same. It all depends on the story, how it's presented that works for me. Even my favourite writers sometimes have a miss. Doesn't make it badly written or whatever, just not to taste.

And it depends on moods too. Sometimes one wants something that's descriptive and beautiful, giving one a visual and physical setting that's as wonderful as the boys are. Other times gritty and hard (if that's how one describes a tight, sparse story) is exactly what one wants.

I'll be trying both of the series mentioned as time permits.