Fantasy Subgenres
(Definitions and Examples A - W)
Alternate World fantasy involves different worlds hidden within or parallel to our own. In past times these could be found in a mysterious country, as in Johnathan Swift's novel Gulliver's Travels. With the Earth explored, some were envisioned inside a mirror, as with Lewis Carroll's novel Through the Looking Glass. Others 'distill' whole fictional libraries, as with John Myers Myers' novel Silverlock. In a scientific era, often these worlds are in a parallel cosmos, as depicted in Roger Zelazny's "Amber" series.
Arthurian subgenre tales are set in the world of King Arthur's legendary Camelot. Merlin, Lancelot, Ygraine and friends are involved in fresh adventures. These novels have been popular for centuries, and one famous modern example is Thomas Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow.
Bangsian fantasy takes its name from a 19th century author named Bangs. This subgenre deals all or mostly with the afterlife. Early legends speak of Hades, and it's been going strong ever since. A modern example is Philip Jose Farmer's "Riverworld" series. Though marketed as literary fiction, with its Heaven-dwelling narrator, Alice Sebold's novel The Lovely Bones fits this category.
Celtic fantasy draws upon the rich lore of the Celtic peoples, mostly but not always from Ireland. C.J. Cherryh's novel The Dreaming Tree and Charles De Lint's novel The Little Country are fine examples.
Comedic fantasy is a humorous and/or satirical subgenre. The many "Xanth" novels by Piers Anthony are a great example.
Contemporary (elfpunk)
This subgenre centers on the idea that magical creatures are hidden amongst us. These tales are set in modern times, and familiar situations. Neil Gaiman's novel Neverwhere depicts a vast (yet hidden) magical underground London. Mercedes Lackey's "Diana Tregarde" novels bring realistic magic to Dallas and small town Oklahoma.
Elfpunk, a spinoff of SF's cyberpunk movement, has a more outrageous tone.
Court Intrigue is a subgenre set in royal castles, whether historical (but with magic), or in some recognizable alternate world. George R.R. Martin's novel A Game of Thrones and its sequels are a good example.
Dark subgenre tales have a strong element of horror, and/or a gothic atmosphere. Michael Moorcock's "Elric" stories are often cited as examples.
Dying Earth stories take place in just such a dismal setting. Often humanity is beset with innui, as the world itself fades away. The Martin and Dozois anthology Songs of the Dying Earth pays homage to Jack Vance's namesake tome.
Erotic subgenre tales contain a strong sexual element. Examples abound, since medieval times and before. A popular modern example is Jacqueline Carey's novel Kushiel's Dart and its sequels.
Fantasy of Manners is a subgenre related to the literary 'comedy of manners,' and it depicts the elaborate rituals and relationships of some narrow social class. These stories downplay or omit nonhuman creatures. Author Ellen Kushner is regarded as the dean of this subgenre.
Feghoot describes a tiny yet distinct subgenre, rooted in the 'fan fiction' of serious fantasy enthusiasts. These 'flash fiction' (under 1000 word) tales are laden with inside jokes, and must feature a bad pun for an ending. The protagonist is always a loutish adventurer named Ferdinand Feghoot.
Heroic fantasy centers on a conquering hero, or band of heroes; yet it often turns the genre's heroic trope on its head, with forgivable villains and deeply flawed protagonists. Stephen R. Donaldson's epic "Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" series fits the bill perfectly.
High or Epic fantasy is, for many readers, the heart and essence of the genre. Entire worlds are created, with long histories and vivid lifestyles, and a large cast of characters. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings utterly dominates this subgenre. Elizabeth Moon's five "Paksenarrion/Gird" novels are excellent examples. (Hand-drawn maps, which show the landscape and competing realms, are essential.)
Historical fantasy is the genre's answer to historical fiction. A specific period from Earth's history becomes the setting, but with fantastic elements blended in. Gene Wolfe's dreamlike novel Soldier of the Mist and Guy Gavriel Kay's novel Tigana are two fine examples.
Historical High Fantasy is a subset of the 'historical fantasy' genre, in which the stories are vast and detailed enough to resemble 'high fantasy.' Stephen Lawhead's trilogies are preeminent. His Pendragon Cycle novels combine an expanded Arthurian legend with the doomed Atlantis.
Juvenile fantasy is a vast category, describing stories written for a younger audience. Tolkien's The Hobbit is a stellar example, as are L. Frank Baum's "Oz" books. Joy Chant's Red Moon and Black Mountain is another.
Low Fantasy is a descriptive category. Its tales are written, if not in conscious opposition to, then with a serious lack of, the sweeping vistas and serious heroism of the 'high fantasy' subgenre. Few if any authors will claim the title for themselves, though video games such as Shadowrun have been placed in this category. (Some observers link this subgenre to 'sword & sorcery' tales.)
Media tie-in (Buffy novels, etc.)
These stories involve characters and settings that originate in movies, TV shows, video games, etc. It's a huge subgenre, and its "Buffy" novels and other series get plenty of shelf space. Such stories normally follow the canon of its creator/ownership, and cannot depict permanent changes to its principal characters.
Medieval fantasy is a huge subgenre, and its stories are set in those times, in between the ancient or Arthurian worlds and the modern industrial era. They will feature knights and knaves, often together with sorcerers and dragons. (Many fanstasy subgenres, set on Earth or elsewhere, have a 'pseudomedieval' setting. That is: ox carts, tavern wenches, and swords; but no automobiles, stock brokers, or firearms.)
Mythic (mythopoeia, mythpunk)
This subgenre is a broad category. In general, these stories are set on our familiar Earth, and incorporate existing myths. Robert Holdstock's Mythago Wood and Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys do a wonderful job of bringing ancient myths into our modern world.
Tolkein used the term 'mythopoeia' to decribe his own work, in that it's evocative of humanity's deepest myths.
Mythpunk is a small subgenre, its name a derivative of cyberpunk. Vera Nazarian's novel Dreams of the Compass Rose is the primary example.
Quest fantasies involve just that. It's a descriptive category, in which the protagonist is involved in some perilous all-consuming quest. In Peter Beagle's novelette Two Hearts, nine-year-old Sooz sets off alone to free her village from a murderous gryphon. Terry Goodkind's novel Wizard's First Rule is another example.
Romantic subgenre tales are interstitial, blending 'fantasy' and 'romance' themes. There are plenty of examples, though often marketed as romance (which pays better). Catch The Lightning by Catherine Asaro is a fine example. (As a physicist, Asaro blends elements of rigorous science into many of her stories.)
Science Fantasy is an interstitial subgenre, with the trappings of high technology, but also pervasive elements of traditional fantasy. Marian Zimmer Bradley's "Darkover" series is one example.
Series (shared world)
This is a popular descriptive category. Such tales become part of a long series of novels (and often, short stories) whose publication can span decades, and be picked up by new authors after the originator's passing. For example, Terry Brooks' "Shannara" series joined up with his later "Knight of the Word" novels, for a vast future history. David Eddings' voluminous "Belgariad" series is another.
The 'shared' subgenre does just that, by inviting many authors to add stories to an existing 'world,' with new subplots and characters joining the originator's familiar ones. Terry Pratchet's "Discworld" franchise is perhaps the most popular example.
(This participation is done via a formal process, otherwise it's regarded as freelance -- amateur and only semi-legal -- 'fanfic' storytelling.)
Superhero fantasy needs no introduction. Whether in films or comic books or novels, characters such as Superman and Thor are familiar indeed. Some authors will create their own new superheroes, incorporating familiar tropes.
Sword & Sorcery tales embody the action-packed aspect of fantasy, with powerful barbarians clearing a bloody swath across their pseudomedieval worlds. Robert Howard's "Conan" novels are perhaps the founding tomes. Fritz Leiber's clever "Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser" tales are popular (and much imitated) examples.
Urban Fantasy (nerd outfoxes supernatural)
These novels are set in a modern, urban environment. Werewolves live in abandoned subway stations, or pixies hide in the small spaces of a campus dormatory. Jody Lynn Nye's novels often incorporate such characters.
In some tales, a computer nerd is up against ancient evil. Robert Weinberg's novel A Logical Magician is an example which features adaptable beings such as 'mall nymphs.' Charles Stross's novel The Atrocity Archives also incorporates spy thriller elements.
Wuxia stories originated in China. They are often set during Imperial times, and feature a hero advanced in the martial arts, who battles human (and sometimes supernatural) foes. A famous example is Wang Dulu's novel Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, filmed by Ang Lee. (That movie was a huge hit in the west, but drew yawns in China, as just one of many such tales.)
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