Drat, I most definately replied to this.
I am a big fan of Tolkien, but I only enjoy 'quasi-medieval' fantasy when it has a nice decorative egde to it.
Too many novels of that sort concentrate on the masculine, grungy side of that world and feature tons of bloody battles and narrow minded powerhouse characters. You know, WoW style, with not an ounce of originality and the usual irriating way of speaking.
I prefer the ones that, while they do have epic clashes and a bit of swordplay, concentrate also on the beauty of the land, cultures and races involved.
No, I don't enjoy bloodily killing my characters, though I do sometimes produce sacrifical characters who are introduced solely to die, and then, after I develop them, I get very attached to them and keep the after all.