Discussion What makes a war a "good" war?

I read an interesting discussion about magic and war in Kingdom's Bloodline. Magic, interesting perspective and approach to its uses, I must say, unlike other fantasy novels. Now about war, reading that dialogue made me realize, most of the wars I've read so far, actually don't interest me that much, except for the battle and conclusion of said war. I never actually thought of the aftereffects of war; only the prelude and aftermath in the protagonist's eyes. The surroundings and background or side characters by default, I'd just forget or exclude them from my attention unless they were connected to the protagonist. War... huh?

What sort of war in a novel, would make you enjoy reading it, even if tragedies were to befell to the multitude of characters you'll never have an insight on or characters such as the main character and co. with the antagonists. I like a war (as the last option) with consequences to all sides; a war that can never be forgotten and forgiven, but all involved in war must accept their losses and progress towards another war (or peace), where the casualties will lessen.

 

Bit theoretical for me as tired as I am. But I like reading large magical wars like the Malazan Chronicles or The Way of Kings.

 

The realistic ones. Where characters are not all about out witting the MC or if the war revolves about one person. We all know that humans are greedy but the subject of greed differs each character.

 

There's no good war, finding glory when going to war is a huge lie. It's all about resources and gains.

 

Well I like the animated version of a war but in written form not so much. The war is good in I am the Monarch.

 

If you want to read good Asian war fiction try the manga Gunka no Baltzar or Kingdom, I can't think of a novel that does well in this aspect.

 

Coin carnage and cleavage duh :/

 

Twists and turns.
Attacks names.

 

There are no good war. There's only justified defensive reactions but even then only within the framework of defense not counterattack outside their own borders.

 

Strategy, counter-strategy, using of advantage, assessing yourself and the opponent weakness, the wars don't revolved in being a one-man show, Dignity and Pride usage, The atmosphere

 

A war that no one dies
Because no war is a good war

 

The one that you win, so you can write the history to your favor

 

IDK for novels, but for me they're the following anime & mangas:
Youjo Senki
Gunka no Baltzar
redEyes

Do you mean maybe something like Heavy Object or G Gundam?

 

I cant really put the answer to that question in words....

 

A war against alien
They come over here, steal our mass murderer and dictator job, were are not having it!
Build space wall

 

gundam wars are pretty cool

 

The only good war is the one that is never truly fought.

 

I can’t say I’ve ever been happy about a war or liked it. In the novels I read, the occasional war is usually started by the villains and has devastating consequences for the common people on their own side. I’d rather war be avoided altogether, but obviously that isn’t always possible.

 

Indeed there's no good war. In most of fantasy stories, it always for resources just like in reality. But in-some games they got a slight better idea, which is 2 races might had started a war to rule over the world and the conclusion was both race took high casualties and went to ceasefire for a long time....

 

There is a good war, it was the war of love.

Sorry no sorry, side effect of just watching kaguya love is war.