(1) Tension. Something’s not right about all this.

(2) Respect. A strong, competent hero.

(3) Empathy. Characters I care for.

(4) Conflict. Most of these characters are in mortal danger.

(5) Enemies. Opposition that is believable and overwhelming.

(6) Romance. Between characters I’m rooting for, but with plenty of #1, above.

(7) Resolution? Wrap things up, yet with nagging uncertainty. Unless you’d rather not sell millions of the sequel(s).