Welcome to this guide on fantasy subgenres. The fantasy genre is like a giant oak with many roots, each one a subgenre. Sometimes they overlap, fuse together and spawn new subgenres of their own. Keeping up with the experimentations of fantasy writers isn’t easy.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- A breakdown of the subgenres of fantasy
- A list of subgenres
- 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, often inspired by real-life myths and folklore. Fantasy is different to other genres in that it lacks scientific or macabre themes, though its subgenres overlap.
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 subgenres and the list keeps on growing as brilliant writers experiment, fusing genres and subgenres together.
Below, we won’t take a look at all 50 subgenres, but we’ll explore the most popular subgenres of fantasy.
What Are Fantasy Genre Conventions?
- A secondary world or unique setting. A crucial fantasy genre convention is escapism.
- Conflict between great or magical forces. A common theme in fantasy is the struggle between good vs evil.
- Complex characters
- Magic system. This is what sets the fantasy genre apart.
Head here to read more about fantasy tropes.
Here’s a rundown on some of the most popular fantasy subgenres.
(note: new sub-genres are coming out all of the time as authors experiment with different elements of sub-genres to find their own niche. This list covers the main types of fantasy sub-genres and is in no way exhaustive, nor in any particular order. Many of these sub-genres have sub-genres of their own).
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
A list of 200+ fantasy magazines and journals
A list of fantasy writing groups
The fantasy genre is often defined as having a magical or supernatural element that does not occur in our own world.
Some of the key elements and characteristics of the fantasy genre relate to the existence of magic and people’s ability to use it, the existence of other races and monsters, and whether the world is fictional or not.
Harry Potter arguably falls under a few different fantasy subgenre. Like The Chronicles of Narnia, it has been classed as YA fantasy. However, it has also been classed as low fantasy with it being set in our own world.
Yes, a fairy tale is a type of fantasy subgenre. An example would be Cinderella, a story that falls under the genre of fantasy. Generally, fairy tales always fall under the fantasy genre due to their magical elements.
Examples include low fantasy, high fantasy, epic fantasy, sword and sorcery, grimdark, uplit, heroic, science fantasy and dark fantasy.
Star Wars is, in fact, classed as science fantasy or space fantasy. Although there are advanced technologies that would fall under science fiction, the nature of the Force is very much magical.
No. It does not have the same stylistic features of classic fairytales like Cinderella. Instead, it falls under YA fantasy, low fantasy or urban fantasy.
Yes, Discworld by Terry Pratchett is classed as a high fantasy. The world consists of a flat planet sat upon the four giant elephants which stand upon the back of a giant turtle.
Thank you for reading this guide to fantasy subgenres. If you found this post helpful, why not stay in touch? As well as staying up to date with more posts like this, you’ll be kept abreast of any news and articles I think you may find helpful, as well as any new resources I release.
If you have any questions at all about the subgenres of fantasy, please contact me.
Most nights you can find him up into the wee hours scribbling away or watching the NBA.
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Love this post!
Thank you, Laci! Comments like that make it all worthwhile
You are welcome! It is a great read.
Thanks again. There’s plenty of other stuff to cast your gaze over too. What kind of article do you enjoy most?
I’ll defiantly read over more of your stuff! I really like reading about books and photography.
Thank you! Of course let me know what you think. I have a few short stories you can read for free on my short stories page. If you’re in a generous mood there’s one you can buy too. All the proceeds donated to charity. I see you do book reviews. I’ll be keeping a keen eye out for them!
I’ll check those out for sure and thank you for reading my book reviews.
You’re always so informative!
As are you Kayla!
Thank you for this article. I’ve also been working on narrowing down my genre to better aim at publishers and authors.
My pleasure. Thank you for reading! I think i’ll need to do that myself. Are you writing fantasy too?
Are you looking for reviewers? I’m happy to have a read if you want to send it over
I’d love to have you look at Y’keta – where do you want me to send it? (and do you know any author that is NOT looking for reviewers?)
Haha good point. Send it over to [email protected]. I’ll be as quick as I can. Reading time’s a luxury I don’t always get to enjoy
Hi Richie
Second attempt [Wordpress suddeny decided NOT to recognise my (allegedly) “too weak” password!!]
My planned series of childrens’ books (starting with “Rocking Horse Droppings” seem to fit nicely with the Fantasy genre. Do you think perhaps ALL childrens’ stories deserve to be given their own “sub-genre” classification?
Hi Richie
Second attempt [Wordpress suddenly decided NOT to recognise my (allegedly) “too weak” password!!]
My planned series of childrens’ books (starting with “Rocking Horse Droppings”) seem to fit nicely with the Fantasy genre. Do you think perhaps ALL childrens’ stories deserve to be given their own “sub-genre” classification?
There probably is one out there somewhere! If not, why not make one?
I like that you touched on that some novels cross between genres.
A lot of newer novels seem to be using bits of all types of sub-genres. I’ve just finished Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky and that was a terrific blend of steampunk, high fantasy, and epic fantasy. Experimentation is encouraged I say! What do you reckon?
Totally – a great story will rock any genre.
Reblogged this on Richie Billing and commented:
For Fantasy Friday this week, I’m revisiting an old post: The Many Sub-Genres of Fantasy.
In identifying your sub-genre you can better target your readers as well as publishers that look for that type of tale. It’ll help you make useful comparisons to other, well-known books in that sub-genre too which may, with luck, help you sell more!
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Thanks for sharing!
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