While re-reading the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix, I was struck by just how *efficient* the worldbuilding is in the first book. It seems that within the first 5 pages or so, the reader knows the setting, how the magic works, the general nature of the supernatural enemy, and the broad strokes of how society is structured. (The exact page count is likely off, but that was my impression.) And all of this was told organically, without an info dump.
There’s certainly something to be said for the opposite approach–the slow burn of information reveal–but I’m wondering what other authors you’ve encountered who very quickly bring you into their world.
by cedarvan