Everything You Need To Know About Fantasy And Its Sub-Genres

The fantasy genre is like a giant oak with many roots, each one a sub genre. Sometimes they overlap, fuse together and spawn new sub genres of their own. Keeping up with the experimentations of fantasy writers isn’t easy. And that’s why I put together this comprehensive guide. 

Below, we take a look at the definition of the fantasy genre before diving into its many subgenres. In particular you’ll find:

• • A breakdown of the subgenres of fantasy
  • A comprehensive list of fantasy sub genres
  • Examples of books from different fantasy subgenres

What Is The Fantasy Genre?

Falling under speculative fiction, the fantasy genre is recognised for its fictional worlds and universes.

Rooted in mythology, folklore, and the fantastical, fantasy stories transport audiences to worlds where magic, mythical creatures, and extraordinary phenomena are not only possible but integral to the narrative. The genre allows for the exploration of the extraordinary, the magical, and the otherworldly, providing an escape from reality while often addressing universal themes.

Fantasy works can take various forms, including novels, short stories, films, television shows, audiobooks, and visual arts. Notable examples of the fantasy genre span centuries, from ancient myths and legends to contemporary works like Game of Thrones and Lord Of The Rings that continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Key Elements of the Fantasy Genre

There are some key elements that we often see in fantasy stories and which have helped to define it over time. Here’s a breakdown:

• World building – Fantasy often involves the creation of intricate and immersive fictional worlds with unique cultures, histories, and magical systems.
• Magic and Supernatural Forces – Magic is a central element of many fantasy stories. This can include wizards, spells, magical artifacts, and other supernatural phenomena.
• Mythical Creatures – Fantasy introduces a wide array of mythical creatures, such as dragons, elves, dwarves, and more, each contributing to the richness of the imaginary worlds.
• Epic Quests and Adventures – Many fantasy narratives revolve around epic quests or journeys undertaken by protagonists to fulfill a significant destiny or overcome great challenges.
• Good vs. Evil – The struggle between forces of good and evil is a common theme in fantasy, often personified by heroic and villainous characters.
• Hero’s Journey – Influenced by Joseph Campbell’s concept of the hero’s journey, fantasy often follows a protagonist’s transformative adventure, complete with trials, mentors, and self-discovery.

Why Do You Need To Know The Subgenres Of Fantasy?

As a writer, it’s important to identify your subgenre. For one, you can better target your readers, and two, it helps you aim more precisely at publishers and agents.

Not only that, it’ll help you make useful comparisons to other, well-known authors and books in that subgenre which may, with luck, help you sell more.

How Many Subgenres Of Fantasy Are There?

The fantasy genre falls under speculative fiction. Traditionally, fantasy stories are set in a fictional world, often inspired by real-life folklore and myths.

There are over 50 fantasy sub genres and the list keeps on growing as brilliant writers experiment, fusing genres and subgenres together.

A List Of The Sub Genres Of Fantasy

As mentioned above, new fantasy sub genres are appearing all of the time. Here’s an up to date list:

1. High Fantasy
2. Epic Fantasy
3. Low Fantasy
4. Urban Fantasy
5. Historical Fantasy
6. Steampunk
7. Sword and Sorcery
8. Dark Fantasy / Grimdark
9. Comic Fantasy
10. Portal Fantasy
11. Fairytale Retellings
12. Magical Realism
13. Science Fantasy
14. Mythic Fantasy
15. Heroic Fantasy
16. Romantic Fantasy
17. Paranormal Fantasy
18. Contemporary Fantasy
19. Supernatural Thriller
20. Weird Fiction
21. New Weird
22. Christian Fantasy
23. Asian Fantasy
24. African Fantasy
25. Indigenous Fantasy
26. Military Fantasy
27. Dystopian Fantasy
28. Quest Fantasy
29. Fairy Punk
30. Gaslamp Fantasy
31. Mythpunk
32. Medieval Fantasy
33. Renaissance Fantasy
34. Space Fantasy
35. Fairy Tale Fantasy
36. Folklore Fantasy
37. Arthurian Fantasy
38. Epic Mythology Fantasy
39. Religious Fantasy
40. Nautical Fantasy
41. Jungle Fantasy
42. Icepunk
43. Desert Fantasy
44. Arctic Fantasy
45. Prehistoric Fantasy
46. Children’s Fantasy
47. Young Adult Fantasy
48. Adult Fantasy
49. Romantic Fantasy
50. Mythological Fantasy
51. Folk Horror Fantasy

High Fantasy

A close relation of Epic Fantasy, High Fantasy encapsulates a tale set in a rich and unique world where magic exists with clearly defined rules. No drugs involved, sorry. It’s arguably what most people think of when they hear the term ‘fantasy’. Lord of the Rings and such. Plots tend to be complex, characters go on journeys not just physically but mentally too.

This -subgenre has probably influenced every fantasy writer in one way or another, some deciding to go in a different direction, others extracting elements of it and using it in their own way.

Coming of Age, Epic, Sword and Sorcery, Heroic, and many more sub-genres are all linked to High Fantasy.

Examples

The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien

The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss

The Way of Kings, Brandon Sanderson

Epic Fantasy

This is perhaps one of the more popular subgenres of fantasy, involving a struggle between good and evil spanning several books or series with a significant cast of characters. Epic Fantasy encapsulates gritty, realistic tales as well as those filled with magic and creatures such as dragons, orcs, or white walkers. The distinction between this sub-genre and High Fantasy lies in the scale of the story.

Examples

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

The Riftwar Cycle, Raymond E. Feist

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

Chronicles of The Raven, James Barclay

Mistborn, Brandon Sanderson

Wheel of Time, Robert Jordan

Shadows of the Apt, Adrian Tchaikovsky

Urban Fantasy

This sub-genre, the name of which is used interchangeably, takes place in real-world or present-day settings such as those in built-up areas like cities. Usually, the fantasy world is hidden amongst the normal one. It’s a broad sub-genre, but the key ingredient is magic within a real-world setting.

Examples

Fevre Dream, George R.R. Martin

Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling

Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman

Low Fantasy

The opposite of High Fantasy, though its title is no reflection on its standing. It involves a real-world setting with magical or supernatural features, like contemporary fantasy. Stories tend to involve a character who discovers this secret, magical world.

There is less emphasis on the traditional High Fantasy features. In some cases, magic does not even exist. Low Fantasy stories tend to be grittier with more focus on characters than the world.

The themes explored include social and political upheaval, questionable morals, and flaws in human nature. It’s one of the subgenres of fantasy that’s growing in popularity.

Examples

Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling

Neverwhere, Neil Gaiman

Twilight, Stephanie Meyer

Sword and Sorcery

This subgenre has its roots in High Fantasy. They tend to involve competent heroes who cut and blast their way to glorious victory. They’re linked because in the classic hero’s tale swords and sorcery tend to feature.

Examples

Chronicles of The Raven, James Barclay

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

The Riftwar Cycle, Raymond E. Feist

Horror Fantasy

Stories of this type tend to be set in our own world, though with fantastical twists. They can also be set in other worlds which share similarities to our own. There tends to be a balance between realism and fantasy. Plots are complex and the levels of violence are pretty high. Related genres include Steampunk, Alternate History Fantasy, and Celtic Fantasy. One of the most popular subgenres of fantasy.

Examples

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, Seth Grahame-Smith

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Susanna Clarke

The Falconer, Elizabeth May

Dark Fantasy

Horror and Dark Fantasy are terms used interchangeably to refer to this sub-genre, though dedicated fans can distinguish between the two (I won’t go into the differences now). Dark Fantasy tends to focus on creating a creepy, intense atmosphere. It can feature fantastical creatures like werewolves, or supernatural elements too.

Examples

The Dark Tower, Stephen King

Coraline, Neil Gaiman

The Black Company, Glen Cook

Grimdark

Grimdark has its roots in High Fantasy, though takes a different path. Featured characters may be anti-heroes or have moral flaws, with the setting being quite grim and gritty, hence the name.

In recent years, Grimdark has cemented itself as a fan favourite amongst the subgenres of fantasy.

Examples

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

The Lies of Locke Lamora, Scott Lynch

The Blade Itself, Joe Abercrombie

Steampunk

One of the key characteristics of Steampunk is Victorian-era technologies, such as steam-powered machinery and equipment. Settings range from Victorian England to made-up worlds and the American Wild West. Victorian-era fashions tend to feature in these stories. It does not tend to feature much magic, though a few stories do include it. The detail in such stories tends to be quite high, which is one of the reasons why it’s so popular.

Examples

The Anubis Gates, Tim Powers

Perdido Street Station, China Miéville

Shadows of the Apt, Adrian Tchaikovsky

Science Fantasy

This sub-genres sees something of a fusion between Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Technology tends to feature heavily, as does magic. The biggest difference between Sci-Fi and Science Fantasy is the lack of an obligation on the latter to set out the laws of the world according to science. Settings can be real-world or another world.

Examples

The Stone Sky, N. K. Jemisin

Lord of Light, Roger Zelazny

Outlander, Diana Gabaldon

What’s apparent from this non-exhaustive list is that Fantasy is more of an umbrella term for a whole host of subgenres, just like the term Speculative Fiction encapsulates Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror etc. The Fantasy genre is huge! Bigger than any other, I’d say. And it’s expanding all the time, which just goes to show how much of a vibrant and popular genre it is. It also shows it’s a genre constantly evolving. What could the next sub-genre be?

Learn More About The Subgenres Of Fantasy

I said at the beginning that the list above is non-exhaustive. You might be reading this thinking your story fits into none of these. Well, there may be other fantasy subgenres or sub-sub-genres which better define it. Checking out some of these other guides may help you out:

A guide to fantasy worldbuilding

Using the 5 senses in writing

A list of 200+ fantasy magazines and journals

A list of fantasy writing groups

If you have any questions at all about the subgenres of fantasy, please contact me.

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richiebilling

Richie Billing writes fantasy fiction, historical fiction and stories of a darker nature. He's had over a dozen short stories published in various magazines and journals, with one adapted for BBC radio. In 2021 his debut novel, Pariah's Lament, an epic fantasy, was published by Of Metal and Magic. Richie also runs The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed, a podcast devoted to helping writers improve their craft.

Most nights you can find him up into the wee hours scribbling away or watching the NBA.

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