Click for Source Image By Samantha Payne
The genre of Fantasy can be described as a magnificent dragon, with its glorious scaled plots to its fire-breathing characters. The dragon as a whole is the image of perfection but take away some of its features and it loses its lustre. The same can be said for the Fantasy genre. Without its diverse array of settings, plots and characters, the genre would have withered away to nothing but an empty husk, leaving behind many a void within millions of hearts. It is thanks to its many sub-genres, or features, that has given Fantasy the strength to be as popular as it is today; and not only within the world of books. Countless shows, films and games have been created with Fantasy running through the heart of the creation. What follows is by no means an extensive list of sub-genres but a handful of some of the more popular ones. These may be expanded upon in the future.
The genre of Fantasy can be described as a magnificent dragon, with its glorious scaled plots to its fire-breathing characters. The dragon as a whole is the image of perfection but take away some of its features and it loses its lustre. The same can be said for the Fantasy genre. Without its diverse array of settings, plots and characters, the genre would have withered away to nothing but an empty husk, leaving behind many a void within millions of hearts. It is thanks to its many sub-genres, or features, that has given Fantasy the strength to be as popular as it is today; and not only within the world of books. Countless shows, films and games have been created with Fantasy running through the heart of the creation. What follows is by no means an extensive list of sub-genres but a handful of some of the more popular ones. These may be expanded upon in the future.
Click for Source Image Arthurian: These are tales set within the world of Camelot, King Arthur’s legendary domain. Fictional pieces where our familiar heroes in the form of Merlin, Lancelot, Ygraine and their companions; embark on new, exciting adventures or sometimes alternative takes on their existing stories.
Recommended Reading:
Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pyncho
Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Comedic: A genre that heavily incorporates the use of humour and/or satire.
Recommended Reading:
The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony
Contemporary/Urban: This is a genre that posits that a magical world and/or creatures are hidden amongst our more secular world.
Recommended Reading:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
Recommended Reading:
Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pyncho
Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Comedic: A genre that heavily incorporates the use of humour and/or satire.
Recommended Reading:
The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony
Contemporary/Urban: This is a genre that posits that a magical world and/or creatures are hidden amongst our more secular world.
Recommended Reading:
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
Click for Source Image Dark: A genre that often overlaps into horror and often features a gothic atmosphere.
Recommended Reading:
The Gunslinger by Stephen King
Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop
Erotic: Contains scenes of usually explicit sexuality; definitely adults only!
Recommended Reading:
Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey
The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan
Dark Lover by J.R Ward
Heroic: This genre chronicles the tales of heroes in a Fantasy setting.
Recommended Reading:
Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Conan Series by Robert E. Howard
Recommended Reading:
The Gunslinger by Stephen King
Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop
Erotic: Contains scenes of usually explicit sexuality; definitely adults only!
Recommended Reading:
Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey
The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan
Dark Lover by J.R Ward
Heroic: This genre chronicles the tales of heroes in a Fantasy setting.
Recommended Reading:
Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Conan Series by Robert E. Howard
Click for Source Image High or Epic: A sub-genre considered by many to be the heart of Fantasy novels, high/epic Fantasy contain entire worlds with often detailed histories and lifestyles; and more often than not contain a sizeable cast of protagonists.
Recommended Reading:
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by JRR Tolkien
Magician by Raymond E. Feist
The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series by Steven Erikson
The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan
Historical: Fantasy novels set in a specific period in our world’s history but with elements of Fantasy mixed in. Some contain elements of High Fantasy so would be classified as High Historical Fantasy.
Recommended Reading:
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark
Outlander: A Novel by Diana Gabaldon
Juvenile: An all- encompassing category for anything published with youngsters in mind, overlapping with children and young adult genres.
Recommended Reading:
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black.
Beyond the Deepwoods by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
Recommended Reading:
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by JRR Tolkien
Magician by Raymond E. Feist
The Malazan Book of the Fallen Series by Steven Erikson
The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan
Historical: Fantasy novels set in a specific period in our world’s history but with elements of Fantasy mixed in. Some contain elements of High Fantasy so would be classified as High Historical Fantasy.
Recommended Reading:
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark
Outlander: A Novel by Diana Gabaldon
Juvenile: An all- encompassing category for anything published with youngsters in mind, overlapping with children and young adult genres.
Recommended Reading:
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black.
Beyond the Deepwoods by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
Click for Source Image Medieval: The clues in the title. This is a genre set within the medieval or Arthurian world and often incorporates knights, dragons, sorcerers and other things reminiscent of the time period. Many Fantasy novels that are often not defined under this genre will still have a ‘pseudomedieval’ setting.
Recommended Reading:
A Song of Ice and Fire Series by George R.R. Martin
Deryni Rising by Katherine Kurtz
Mythical: An author, who draws heavily on any culture’s mythology, can consider their novel within this sub-genre.
Recommended Reading:
Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock
The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers
Romantic: A subgenre that incorporates both Fantasy and romance in the telling of the narrative.
Recommended Reading:
Catch The Lightning by Catherine Asaro
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Paranormal: Elements of the occult and mythical (or cryptzoological) creatures such as vampires and werewolves from our more modern folklore. The story is often told within an urban setting.
Recommended Reading:
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
An Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice
Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
Recommended Reading:
A Song of Ice and Fire Series by George R.R. Martin
Deryni Rising by Katherine Kurtz
Mythical: An author, who draws heavily on any culture’s mythology, can consider their novel within this sub-genre.
Recommended Reading:
Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock
The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers
Romantic: A subgenre that incorporates both Fantasy and romance in the telling of the narrative.
Recommended Reading:
Catch The Lightning by Catherine Asaro
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Paranormal: Elements of the occult and mythical (or cryptzoological) creatures such as vampires and werewolves from our more modern folklore. The story is often told within an urban setting.
Recommended Reading:
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
An Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice
Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
While I have recommended many books within their respective genre, I would like to stress that most Fantasy novels contain themes that could place them within multiple genres. A book classified under a specific genre may still contain elements of others though the main genre will be dominant throughout the story. Sometimes it can even be personal preference where a book’s genre is concerned. Please feel free to add any books I will have undoubtedly missed and what you think is their respective genre in the comments section below.
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