The high fantasy genre is one of the most popular in the world of books. There are many distinguishing features that make it what it is, from rich and vivid fantasy worlds to the monsters and magic that inhabit them.

Here, you can find a comprehensive look at what high fantasy is, what it means, and examples of the most popular books from the genre. You can also find tips and advice on writing high fantasy, and how it compares to low fantasy.

Let’s dive in. 

What Is High Fantasy And What Does It Mean? The Definition

Let’s start with a definition of what the high fantasy genre is.

The fundamental cornerstone that distinguishes high fantasy is its enchanting premise—a tale of wonder unfurls within an alternate realm, woven intricately with magical threads.

High fantasy is a genre rich with fantasy elements—magic, fantastical beasts, creatures and races, like dragons and orcs, and set in a unique secondary world.

Sometimes referred to as epic fantasy, this realm possesses distinctive markers within the fantastical tapestry: sprawling narratives that stretch across abundant pages, a multitude of characters breathing life into the world, a journey of purpose that commonly takes the form of a quest, and paramount above all, a secondary world that stands apart from our own reality.

High fantasy beckons with its grandiose stakes, where cosmic forces entwine in a symphony of opposition—good entangled in a dance with evil, the fate of worlds hanging precariously in the balance. Let’s take a more detailed look at its distinguishing features.

What Does High Fantasy Mean?

High fantasy can mean different things to different people. Some readers of the genre may align it closely with a certain type of fantasy book that they may have read. Others may stick to the definition we set out above. 

To help us understand what high fantasy means, it can help to contrast it with low fantasy, it’s opposite genre. 

High fantasy stories often take place in a world that’s different to our own. Low fantasy, on the other hand, takes place in a fantasy world but one that is closely related to our own, or comparable in some way. 

Given how rich the fantasy genre is, there are of course some subgenres that blend both high fantasy and low fantasy together. The Low Town series of books by Daniel Polansky is a very good example. 

So to write high fantasy means to tell a story in a new and unique world that’s different to our own. If you need a hand with worldbuilding, you can head here to check our a truly comprehensive guide. 

Who Invented High Fantasy?

The person who has been credited with the invention of high fantasy as we know it today is JRR Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit author created the brilliant world of Middle Earth and populated it with some awe-inspiring tales. What we know and understand high fantasy to be today stems from what we’ve seen in the Lord of the Rings. 

As we explore in the section below, we associate the likes of goblins, orcs, magic, and tropes like good versus evil with The Lord of The Rings.

If we asked Tolkien who invented high fantasy, however, chances are he would point the finger at the medieval authors he devoted so much of his life studying. The anonymous authors of Beowulf and Sir Gawain And The Green Knight are two examples, with these epic poems being rich in many of the elements of high fantasy we see today—things that inspired Tolkien, such as heroes slaying dragons and demons and saving the fate of man.

What Makes A Book High Fantasy? The Key Characteristics 

Over the years, the high fantasy genre has become well-known for having certain features or covering certain themes. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common:

  • Fantasy Worlds – High fantasy beckons from the threshold of reality, inviting readers to traverse landscapes shaped by dreams and draped in otherworldly hues. A meticulously crafted map guides the curious wanderer, painting vivid images of sprawling kingdoms and uncharted territories, breathing life into the fictional land.
  • Epic Volumes – Fantasy books dare to sprawl, unfurling across tomes that whisper secrets between their pages. Some high fantasy books stretch out over scores of books. Some, like Raymond E Feist’s The Chaos War Saga, go on for over 20 books.
  • The Call to Adventure – At the heart of high fantasy lies an unrelenting challenge, a quest of monumental import that beckons heroes to carve their names into the annals of destiny. A journey as perilous as it is profound, their path unfolds through trials and tribulations that test their mettle and illuminate their true nature.
  • Multifaceted Characters – Names that linger on the lips like ancient incantations populate this realm, each character bearing a tapestry of experiences, motives, and aspirations. From noble champions to enigmatic wanderers, the cast forms a constellation of diverse souls intertwined by fate’s intricate threads.
  • Mythos and Beasts – Behold the myriad creatures that roam these boundless domains, from the majestic griffins soaring on ethereal winds to the sinister shadows lurking within forgotten groves. A pantheon of monsters and races, both familiar and uncanny, weaves an intricate dance of wonder and trepidation.
  • Magic Systems – This courses through the veins of high fantasy like an ageless river, shaping destinies and defying the laws of nature. Spells weave incandescent tapestries, enchantments awaken dormant wonders, and the arcane arts propel the narrative forward with an ethereal symphony of possibilities. For fantasy writing prompts on magic systems, head here
  • Clashes of Destiny – Battles erupt in thunderous crescendos, where the clash of swords and the resonance of spells echo through the ages. Adventure, an unrelenting companion, weaves its threads through every step, turning mere mortals into legends forged in the crucible of conflict.
  • Tumultuous Stakes – At the heart of this grand tapestry, cosmic stakes entwine in a dance of light and shadow. The primal struggle of good versus evil ignites the heavens, propelling heroes to stand as beacons against the encroaching darkness, their purpose intertwined with the very fate of existence.
  • Intricate Narratives – Within this realm of wonder, plots unfold with the grace of a thousand interlocking gears, a labyrinthine dance of intrigue and revelation. Each twist and turn, a revelation in its own right, weaves a tapestry of suspense, beckoning readers to follow the entwined threads to their unforeseen culmination.

What Are Examples Of High Fantasy Books?

the cover of the high fantasy book a court of thorns and roses by sarah j maas
the cover of the high fantasy book magician by raymond e feist
the cover of the high fantasy book assassin's apprentice by robin hobb

High fantasy is popular with all types of readers and from all ages, from Middle School and Young Adult (YA) to adults. As readers we’ve been lucky to have had scores of brilliant high fantasy books hit the shelves. Let’s take a look at some popular examples:

  • Lord Of The Rings by JRR Tolkien – All three books fall into the high fantasy genre: The Fellowship Of The Ring, The Two Towers and The Return Of The King
  • The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien – This is another famous high fantasy book and one that’s tailored more for a younger audience
  • Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
  • Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
  • Magician by Raymond E Feist
  • The Name Of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
  • The Chronicles Of The Raven by James Barclay
  • The Song Of Ice And Fire Series by George RR Martin
  • A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

How Do You Write A High Fantasy Novel?

If you’d like to learn more about writing fantasy, you’re in the right place.

On my site, I’ve produced scores of in-depth guides that cover every aspect of the writing process. So if you want to learn how to write a fantasy novel, I encourage you to have a browse and bookmark some pages. To get you started, I recommend checking out this guide on writing tips, which takes you through the process of writing a novel. 

If you need any more advice on the high fantasy genre and what it is, please get in touch.

Richie Billing
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