Episode 2

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Published on:

16th Aug 2024

E02. A myriad of Fantasy sub-genres

Tales of the Tome

We delve into a myriad of Fantasy literature sub-genres and get lost in their descriptions, grey zones and publications. Here the Fantasy literature sub-genres we cover in our segment 'Tales of the Tome' of this Rolling Into Fantasy episode:

High Fantasy:

  • Set in a secondary, often magical world with epic stakes.
  • Grand, sweeping stories with a clear battle between good and evil, featuring complex world-building, often with maps, languages, and detailed histories.
  • Examples:

-The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien 

- The Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan

- The Chronicles of Prydain, by Lloyd Alexander

- The Inheritance Cycle, by Christopher Paolini

- The Belgariad, by David Eddings

- Throne of Glass, by Maas

- The Hobbit, by J.R.R; Tolkien

Low Fantasy:

  • Set in the real world or a world similar to ours but with magical elements that are less pervasive.
  • Magic and fantastical elements exist but are more subtle or rare; stories are often more grounded.
  • Examples:

- Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling 

- Percy Jackson, by Rick Riordan

- The starless sea, Erin Morgenstern

- The Raven Cycle, by Maggie Stiefvater

- The Magicians, by Lev Grossman

- Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman

- The Bartimaeus Trilogy, by Jonathan Stroud

Sword and Sorcery:

  •  Focuses on fast-paced, action-driven stories involving heroes, magic, and combat.
  •  Emphasis on personal conflicts, battles, and adventures, often with a lone or small group of protagonists.
  • Examples:

- Conan the Barbarian, by Robert E. Howard 

- Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, by Fritz Leiber

- Elric of Melniboné, by Michael Moorcock

- The Witcher series, by Andrzej Sapkowski

- Thieves’ World anthology, edited by Robert Asprin

Epic Fantasy:

  • A sub-genre of High Fantasy characterized by large-scale stories, often involving world-spanning quests and battles.
  •  Multi-volume series with numerous characters, intricate plots, and detailed world-building.
  • Examples:

- A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin 

- The Stormlight Archive, by Brandon Sanderson

- Malazan Book of the Fallen, by Steven Erikson

- The Broken Empire, by Mark Lawrence

- The Faithful and the Fallen, by John Gwynne

Dark Fantasy:

  •  Blends fantasy with horror, focusing on dark, often violent themes.
  •  Morally ambiguous characters, grim settings, and an atmosphere of dread or despair.
  • Examples:

- The Black Company, by Glen Cook 

- The First Law, by Joe Abercrombie

- Atlas Six, by Olivie Blake

- Wicked Saints, Emily A. Duncan

Historical Fantasy:

  • Combines historical settings with fantasy elements.
  • Real historical events, places, or figures are integrated with magic, mythical creatures, or alternative histories.
  • Examples:

- Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke 

- The Golem and the Jinni, by Helene Wecker

- Babel, by Kuang R. F.

- Circe, by Madeline Miller


Fairy Tale Retellings:

  • Reinterpretations of traditional fairy tales.
  • Familiar stories reimagined, often with a darker tone or more complex characters.
  • Examples:

- Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine

- Uprooted, by Naomi Novik

- Cinderella is dead, by Kalynn Bayron

- Heartless, by Marissa Meyer


Mystic Market

 Source books & spin-offs:

  • DnD source books: new Player’s Handbook 2024; Heroes’ Feast
  • Kickstarter source books: Herbalist Primer; Barbarians
  • FF: You are the Hero (Jonathan Green)


Events

Comic Cons

  • Facts (1993)
  • Comicon Brussels (2016)

Fantasy / Medieval festivals

  • Elftopia (Belgium, 2017)
  • Elfia (Netherlands) 
  • Medieval Festival Spectaculum (Germany)
  • Les Médiévales de Provins (France)
  • England’s Medieval Festival (England)


Next episode of RIF:

  • Tales from the Tome: the Fantasy subgenres continued
  • Events: Report from Elftopia
  • Through the Palantir


Links:

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About the Podcast

Rolling Into Fantasy
Where Fantasy Finds Its Voice
Welcome to "Rolling into Fantasy," a bi-weekly podcast where a father-daughter duo, both avid Fantasy enthusiasts spanning over more than 30 years of love for Fantasy, delve into the enchanting world of Fantasy. With an inter-generational approach, we explore Fantasy literature, games, pop culture, music, series & movies. Each episode connects different aspects of Fantasy, rolling seamlessly from one topic to another. Join us every fortnight on Thursdays as we discuss the origins of Fantasy, current news, and exciting things to come in the realm of Fantasy. Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the genre, "Rolling into Fantasy" has something magical for everyone.

Get notified & don't miss an episode; subscribe to our list: https://tinyurl.com/35eakx6x !

About your hosts

Laurent Bettens

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At the age of 6, I took my first steps into the world of fantasy, specifically science fiction, when Star Wars made its debut on the big screen. From that moment, this universe forever shaped my love for fantasy. The surge of fantasy and adventure movies in the eighties only deepened my passion for the genre. However, my true love for fantasy stories ignited with the discovery of the English Fighting Fantasy gamebook series by Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson, as well as the Lone Wolf series by Joe Dever.

With a strong interest in medieval history and literature, I have always been drawn to that era, which provides a bottomless source of inspiration for all types of fantasy stories and games. Now, several decades later, the fantasy genre has expanded into numerous sub-genres of literature, games, and merchandise, becoming a way of life for many.

I am fortunate to have been able to pass on my love for fantasy literature and games to my daughters and son. Together with my eldest daughter, Marie-Noor, we want to share our passion for fantasy with others and explore new horizons. This led to the idea of launching our co-hosted podcast, "Rolling Into Fantasy," where fantasy finds its voice. This will be an adventure of our own, and needless to say, we are both excited and a bit scared.

Marie-Noor Bettens

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My journey into the world of fantasy began as a child with the Harry Potter series. The adventures of Harry and his friends at Hogwarts captivated my imagination, sparking a deep love for both reading and writing. This early fascination with fantasy was the push I needed to explore other fantasy literature.

As I grew older, my taste in fantasy evolved. I discovered the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas and my father introduced me to Game of Thrones. These stories made it clear I have a preference for the medieval and epic fantasy subgenre.

In high school, I found another outlet for my love of fantasy through role-playing games and Dungeons & Dragons. This hobby quickly became one of my favourites, allowing me to actively participate in creating and exploring fantasy realms. The collaborative storytelling and endless possibilities of DnD have further fueled my passion for fantasy, making it an integral part of my life.