The problem with maps for me, is I find myself turning back to them over and over, only to see that whatever I wanted to look up isn't on the map. I'd rather just use my imagination.

Maps only make sense to me in quest fantasies, but I agree with Marilee, they are more intrusive than helpful. In fact, it's usually quite depressing to see dozens of chapters go by and the heroes have only moved two inches. Imagination is so much better.

I'm not great with spatial stuff, esp. when place names are mentioned at random, with no explanation of relative locations. A map doesn't have to be part of the protaganists' travels to be relevant to the story (e.g., stories with war, politics, etc.). A map can clarify what's where when the author describes geography confusingly.

So, overall, I like maps. But I'm okay with not having one. I don't find them distracting, but it's frustrating for recurring locations to not appear on the map (e.g. A.C. Crispin's latest book -- great book, but too many locations mentioned don't appear on the map).

Being a lover of things cartographic, of course I like maps in my fantasy novel. Of course many fantasy novels can't really use a map (eg, the Zelazny Amber novels, set across many worlds)

I don't really see the big deal about maps. If there is one I usually just skip it and read the book. The only books in which maps have helped me are the Wheel of Time series and Christopher Paolini's Inheritance trilogy, and that's just because of a couple of odd things that made me say, "How could that be possible?"

Otherwise, I don't understand why it's an important issue. It makes almost no difference.