Tales of the Tome
Our second part of the various Fantasy literature sub-genres we (dis)cover in this segment takes us from Urban Fantasy through Grimdark, to Flintlock Fantasy. Buckle up!
Urban Fantasy
- Set in a contemporary urban environment
- Magic and supernatural creatures exist in the modern world, often hidden from the public
- Examples:
- The Dresden Files, by Jim Butcher
- Rivers of London, by Ben Aaronovitch
- Kate Daniels series, by Ilona Andrews
- October Daye series, by Seanan McGuire
- The Iron Druid Chronicles, by Kevin Hearne
Portal Fantasy
- Characters travel from the real world to a magical or fantastical world through a portal.
- Often involves a journey of discovery or adventure in a new world with its own rules and logic.
- Examples:
- The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis
- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll
- The Dark is Rising, by Susan Cooper
- The Light Between Worlds, by Laura E. Weymouth
- The Fionavar Tapestry, by Guy Gavriel Kay
Mythic Fantasy
- Incorporates elements of myth and legend into the narrative.
- Often draws on classical mythology, folklore, or ancient legends to craft the story.
- Examples:
- American Gods, by Neil Gaiman
- The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller
- The Dark is Rising, by Susan Cooper
- The Light Between Worlds, by Laura E. Weymouth
- The Fionavar Tapestry, by Guy Gavriel Kay
Science Fantasy
- Blends elements of science fiction and fantasy.
- Incorporates advanced technology alongside magical or supernatural elements.
- Examples:
- Dune, by Frank Herbert
- The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins
- The Dark Tower, by Stephen King
- Shadowrun, RPG novels
- The Broken Earth Trilogy, by N.K. Jemisin
- Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny
- Piranesi, by Susanna Clark
- Scythe, by Neil Shusterman
Grimdark
- A sub-genre of Dark Fantasy that emphasizes bleak, dystopian settings with morally gray characters.
- High levels of violence, despair, and often a pessimistic worldview.
- Examples:
- Warhammer 40,000 series
- Prince of Thorns, by Mark Lawrence
- The Malazan Empire, series by Ian C. Esslemont
- Best Served Cold, by Joe Abercrombie
- The Traitor Baru Cormorant, by Seth Dickinson
- The Poppy War, by RF Kuang
- The Assassin's Apprentice, By Robin Hobb
Gaslamp Fantasy
- Fantasy set in or inspired by the Victorian or Edwardian eras, often featuring steampunk elements.
- Combines the aesthetics and social structures of the 19th century with magical elements.
- Examples:
- Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series
- The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern
- The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters, by Gordon Dahlquist
- The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter, by Theodora Goss
- Soulless, by Gail Carriger
Weird Fantasy
- Incorporates surreal, bizarre, or otherworldly elements.
- Often defies conventional fantasy tropes, blending the fantastical with the strange and inexplicable
- Examples:
- The City & the City, by China Miéville
- Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer
Fantasy of Manners
- Focuses on social intrigue, etiquette, and the personal dynamics of the upper classes, often in a fantastical setting.
- Emphasizes wit, dialogue, and social maneuvering, often with romantic or comedic elements.
- Examples:
- Sorcery and Cecilia, by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer
- Tooth and Claw, by Jo Walton
- The Goblin Emperor, by Katherine Addison
- The Curse of Chalion, by Lois McMaster Bujold
- The Privilege of the Sword, by Ellen Kushner
- Howl’s moving Castle, by Diana Wynjones
Flintlock Fantasy
- Set in a world where firearms and other early modern technologies coexist with magic.
- Often set in or inspired by the 17th-19th centuries, focusing on military campaigns, revolutions, and the clash of technology and magic.
- Examples:
- The Shadow Campaigns, by Django Wexler
- His Majesty's Dragon, by Naomi Novik
- The Powder Mage trilogy, by Brian McClellan
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