E02. A myriad of Fantasy sub-genres

Tales of the TomeWe delve into a myriad of Fantasy literature sub-genres and get lost in their descriptions, grey zones and publications. Here the Fantasy literature sub-genres we cover in our segment 'Tales of the Tome' of this Rolling Into Fantasy episode:High Fantasy: Set in a secondary, often magical world with epic stakes.Grand, sweeping stories with a clear battle between good and evil, featuring complex world-building, often with maps, languages, and detailed histories.Examples: -The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien  - The Wheel of Time, by Robert Jordan - The Chronicles of Prydain, by Lloyd Alexander - The Inheritance Cycle, by Christopher Paolini - The Belgariad, by David Eddings - Throne of Glass, by Maas - The Hobbit, by J.R.R; TolkienLow Fantasy:Set in the real world or a world similar to ours but with magical elements that are less pervasive.Magic and fantastical elements exist but are more subtle or rare; stories are often more grounded.Examples: - Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling  - Percy Jackson, by Rick Riordan - The starless sea, Erin Morgenstern - The Raven Cycle, by Maggie Stiefvater - The Magicians, by Lev Grossman - Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman - The Bartimaeus Trilogy, by Jonathan StroudSword and Sorcery: Focuses on fast-paced, action-driven stories involving heroes, magic, and combat. Emphasis on personal conflicts, battles, and adventures, often with a lone or small group of protagonists.Examples: - Conan the Barbarian, by Robert E. Howard  - Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, by Fritz Leiber - Elric of Melniboné, by Michael Moorcock - The Witcher series, by Andrzej Sapkowski - Thieves’ World anthology, edited by Robert AsprinEpic Fantasy:A sub-genre of High Fantasy characterized by large-scale stories, often involving world-spanning quests and battles. Multi-volume series with numerous characters, intricate plots, and detailed world-building.Examples: - A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin  - The Stormlight Archive, by Brandon Sanderson - Malazan Book of the Fallen, by Steven Erikson - The Broken Empire, by Mark Lawrence - The Faithful and the Fallen, by John GwynneDark Fantasy: Blends fantasy with horror, focusing on dark, often violent themes. Morally ambiguous characters, grim settings, and an atmosphere of dread or despair.Examples: - The Black Company, by Glen Cook  - The First Law, by Joe Abercrombie - Atlas Six, by Olivie Blake - Wicked Saints, Emily A. DuncanHistorical Fantasy:Combines historical settings with fantasy elements.Real historical events, places, or figures are integrated with magic, mythical creatures, or alternative histories.Examples: - Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke  - The Golem and the Jinni, by Helene Wecker - Babel, by Kuang R. F. - Circe, by Madeline MillerFairy Tale Retellings:Reinterpretations of traditional fairy tales.Familiar stories reimagined, often with a darker tone or more complex characters.Examples: - Ella Enchanted, by Gail Carson Levine - Uprooted, by Naomi Novik - Cinderella is dead, by Kalynn Bayron - Heartless, by Marissa MeyerMystic Market Source books & spin-offs:DnD source books: new Player’s Handbook 2024; Heroes’ FeastKickstarter source books: Herbalist Primer; BarbariansFF: You are the Hero (Jonathan Green)EventsComic ConsFacts (1993)Comicon Brussels (2016)Fantasy / Medieval festivalsElftopia (Belgium, 2017)Elfia (Netherlands) Medieval Festival Spectaculum (Germany)Les Médiévales de Provins (France)England’s Medieval Festival (England)Next episode of RIF:Tales from the Tome: the Fantasy subgenres continuedEvents: Report from ElftopiaThrough the PalantirLinks:England's Medieval FestivalLes Médiévales de ProvinsMPS - Mittelalterlich Phantasie SpectaculumElfia - ArcenElftopia - The coolest fantasy festival in EuropeComic Con Brussels - Comics, Cosplay, Gaming, Sci Fi, ...What is FACTS? The History and DNA of Your Belgian Comic ConKickstarter: Barbarians, from Conan to He-ManHeartless (Marissa Meyer)Cinderella is dead (Kalynn Bayron)Uprooted (Naomi Novik)Ella Enchanted (Gail Carson Levine)Circe (Madeline Miller)Babel (R.F. Kuang)The Golem and the Jinni (Helene Wecker)Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (Susanna Clarke)Wicked Saints - Something Dark and Holy, #1 (Emily A. Duncan)The Atlas Six, #1 (Olivie Blake)The First Law, series: #1 The Blade Itself (Joe Abercrombie)The Black Company (Glen Cook)Malice (The Faithful and the Fallen, #1 (John Gwynne)The Broken Empire series (Mark Lawrence)Gardens of the Moon (Steven Erikson)The Stormlight Archive - Book 1: The Way of Kings (Brandon Sanderson)A Game of Thrones - A Song of Ice and Fire, Book One (George R.R. Martin)Thieves' World (Robert Lynn Asprin)The Witcher saga (Andrzej Sapkowski)Elric of Melniboné - The Elric Saga (Michael Moorcock)Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser Series (Fritz Leiber)Conan (Robert E. Howard)The Bartimaeus Sequence (Jonathan Stroud)Neverwhere (Neil Gaiman)The Magicians (Lev Grossman)The Raven Cycle (Maggie Stiefvater)The Starless Sea (Erin Morgenstern)Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Rick Riordan)Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Books | Wizarding World (J.K. Rowling)Throne of Glass (Sarah J. Maas)The Belgariad Series (David Eddings)Inheritance Cycle - Eragon Eldest Brisingr Inheritance (Christopher Paolini)The Chronicles of Prydain Series (Lloyd Alexander)Wheel of Time (Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson) - MacmillanLord of The Rings & The Hobbit (Tolkien) - The Tolkien Estate