Defining Genre: Fantasy and Its Limitless Possibilities
Exploring the large world of fantasy and all its subgenres
It was fantasy that first set my imagination on fire. The genre with the limitless possibilities. The genre that could take place in our world or a completely made-up world that was both strange and familiar. The genre that is peopled by magical beings, kings, queens, and heroes.
But what is fantasy - as a genre?
This may seem like a superfluous question for the experienced fantasy reader, but the dearth of subgenres that have risen in the last few decades deserves some looking into - if only for the sheer fun of it.
Growing up, fantasy was firmly placed within a medieval setting with wizards, knights, and dragons. Urban fantasy was rising within the public notice and the idea of werewolves, vampires, and ghosts was migrating from just being urban myths and local legends to characters with starring roles in urban fantasy novels. For reference, I’m an ‘88 baby and began reading fantasy around the age of ten.
As a fantasy writer, I’m writing an epic space fantasy. My characters are my world’s equivalent of werewolves and fey and people with strange powers, but they also travel on starships and their universe is only as limited as their stardrives.
So, if fantasy isn’t some medieval drama with dragons, then what is it?
Trying to find a unanimous definition of the fantasy genre on the internet is a chore. Some definitions defined fantasy as being mostly within medieval settings while others seemed to think the genre was geared mostly to children.
Here is my simplified version of the fantasy genre definition:
Fantasy is a genre of literary fiction that takes place in either a secondary world or our world. The plot of a fantasy novel involves some form of magic, magical or supernatural creatures/beings, and has several plot devices that do not occur in the natural world.
That’s my definition of fantasy in the broadest terms. Fantasy readers are now in an era where subgenres have further defined parameters each with their own tropes and motifs.
A few of the most well-known fantasy subgenres are high fantasy, urban fantasy, and grim/dark fantasy. Other subgenres that have popped up are steampunk, cozy fantasy, and romantasy.
In this series, I’ll take a look at each subgenre of fantasy, with an accompanying read book which I will review. I’ll discuss the common tropes and themes and how the subgenre still places itself within the fantasy genre.
What do you - my fantasy readers - get out of this?
A growing book list of fantasy subgenres, first of all. Some snappy reference posts to each fantasy subgenre, secondly. And thirdly, if you feel so inclined, a chance to comment your opinion or suggestions in the comment section below.
As I explore fantasy, there are no hills I plan to die on concerning what belongs where. In some cases, the definitions feel arbitrary, and I will be the last person to place limitations on the fantasy genre. If you have alternative viewpoints or definitions, I want to read them!
In my next post in the Defining Genre series, we’ll be taking a look into high fantasy, and why the European-only setting of latter years no longer applies.