Post by Miles on Jun 6, 2014 14:51:16 GMT -5
Probably one of the most ambiguous fiction genres, due to its nature. In an overall description, fantasy is any work that has a beyond-realistic element, that can't be explained by science. But this leaves each of us basically with nothing. So, starting today, I will try to post sub-genres of fantasy as often as I can, after doing the appropriate research. First I will go on sub-genres by setting:
High Fantasy is, also by misfortune, ambiguous, but I have found a way that unifies most of its theories of writing. It is set in a 'secondary world' rather than our own. Now, this secondary world may be a completely new world, not connected to ours (take GRR Martin's world). It can also be connected to our world by a portal (as the Wonderland of Alice in Wonderland), or even a part of our world, hidden from us (like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter). Generally the history, differences and complexity of the world are at epic levels. The plot often revolves on fighting a greater evil, the protagonist is considered a hero, often guided by a mentor (to say a well-known example, I dwell into the past: Merlin was probably the ancestor of the mentor archetype). The major thing to take into account is that it makes sense within the context of that world: is an event that may surprise but is not considered impossible.
Low fantasy, by contrast, happens when in a rational world where our physics apply, something that is irrational happens. These worlds are more akin to Earth, often being set on it. There is not really much more to it: since it is clear. It's what would happen if I could throw fireballs with my hands: it doesn't make sense within our world, but it happens.
Urban fantasy is also quite ambiguous: it can be in a real or invented world, in the past, now or the future. The only requisite is for it to be mainly set in a city or cities. Most often we have demons, werewolves and vampires, or sometimes ghosts and prophecies.
Historical fantasy is pretty much self-explanatory: it is set in some historical period in our world.
Steampunk is a genre that many consider a mix between fantasy and science fiction but with its own nature. It proposes how the world would have been if steam had been kept as the energy resource and electricity was seldom used. Most often set in Victorian England, it needn't be so: many authors have done Steampunk set in other countries as well as in their own invented worlds.
Arcanepunk is similar. It is a world where no electricity is used, however, the source used here are crystals, runes and mana. Most of the inventions using these can be used by non-magic users. With this in mind, anything fantastic that has some kind of living construction or golem can be considered arcanepunk. The Elder Scrolls, Magic the Gathering, World of Warcraft, Dungeons and Dragons and Fable are some good examples, though the emphasis doesn't fall on the constructions (save the Mirrodin sets in MTG).
Of course, there are many, many more types on existence, however, I find them usually just a tweak on a genre or a simple mixture of two with no additions. That's why I talked about Steampunk but not Science Fantasy, or Fantasy Romance.
High Fantasy is, also by misfortune, ambiguous, but I have found a way that unifies most of its theories of writing. It is set in a 'secondary world' rather than our own. Now, this secondary world may be a completely new world, not connected to ours (take GRR Martin's world). It can also be connected to our world by a portal (as the Wonderland of Alice in Wonderland), or even a part of our world, hidden from us (like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter). Generally the history, differences and complexity of the world are at epic levels. The plot often revolves on fighting a greater evil, the protagonist is considered a hero, often guided by a mentor (to say a well-known example, I dwell into the past: Merlin was probably the ancestor of the mentor archetype). The major thing to take into account is that it makes sense within the context of that world: is an event that may surprise but is not considered impossible.
Low fantasy, by contrast, happens when in a rational world where our physics apply, something that is irrational happens. These worlds are more akin to Earth, often being set on it. There is not really much more to it: since it is clear. It's what would happen if I could throw fireballs with my hands: it doesn't make sense within our world, but it happens.
Urban fantasy is also quite ambiguous: it can be in a real or invented world, in the past, now or the future. The only requisite is for it to be mainly set in a city or cities. Most often we have demons, werewolves and vampires, or sometimes ghosts and prophecies.
Historical fantasy is pretty much self-explanatory: it is set in some historical period in our world.
Steampunk is a genre that many consider a mix between fantasy and science fiction but with its own nature. It proposes how the world would have been if steam had been kept as the energy resource and electricity was seldom used. Most often set in Victorian England, it needn't be so: many authors have done Steampunk set in other countries as well as in their own invented worlds.
Arcanepunk is similar. It is a world where no electricity is used, however, the source used here are crystals, runes and mana. Most of the inventions using these can be used by non-magic users. With this in mind, anything fantastic that has some kind of living construction or golem can be considered arcanepunk. The Elder Scrolls, Magic the Gathering, World of Warcraft, Dungeons and Dragons and Fable are some good examples, though the emphasis doesn't fall on the constructions (save the Mirrodin sets in MTG).
Of course, there are many, many more types on existence, however, I find them usually just a tweak on a genre or a simple mixture of two with no additions. That's why I talked about Steampunk but not Science Fantasy, or Fantasy Romance.
