Episode 3

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Published on:

17th Aug 2024

E03. More Fantasy sub-genres & Elftopia

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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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.

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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.