Description

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...