Fantasy Guide 1: Classic Fantasy Subgenres
Fantasy is a broad literary genre whose subgenres are constantly evolving. To start, we introduce: high fantasy, low fantasy, mythic fantasy, and sword & sorcery.
What do you find in the article?
Fantasy is a vast literary genre that transports readers into worlds blurring the lines between reality and imagination. It’s a place where magic, mythical creatures, and enchanted kingdoms come to life, and where heroes face incredible challenges and unexpected foes.
A gateway to infinite worlds
Since its inception, the fantasy genre has evolved into a much broader form. Today, it invites readers on journeys through magical realms, offering stories filled with mystery, adventure, moral dilemmas, and, most importantly, unforgettable characters. Fantasy draws from mythology, history, and folklore, which, when combined with creative freedom, allows authors to craft entirely new worlds.
This creates a wide space for various subgenres that differ in atmosphere, tone, and focus. Whether you’re a fan of grand epic tales or prefer darker, grittier narratives, there’s something for everyone in fantasy. But who can keep track of it all?
That’s exactly why we came up with this article, where we’ll take a look at a few key fantasy subgenres. To start, we’ll introduce four: high fantasy, low fantasy, mythic fantasy, and sword & sorcery.
High fantasy: epic adventures in magical worlds
High fantasy is the most elaborate and epic form of the genre. It’s what you usually imagine when someone mentions fantasy. High fantasy worlds are typically entirely invented, with authors often creating their own world-building—defining how their world functions, what creatures inhabit it, and sometimes even developing their own languages. They are full of magic and magical creatures, and the battle between good and evil plays a key role. Another central element is the hero, who faces a daunting task: saving the world.
The greatest representative of this subgenre is undoubtedly J. R. R. Tolkien and his The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It’s not for nothing that he’s called the father of fantasy. Tolkien created the world of Middle-earth, which is both vast and intricately detailed, featuring its own languages, history, and cultures.
Another great example is Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time saga, where readers find themselves in an endless cycle of the battle between light and shadow. Also worth mentioning is The Inheritance Cycle (Eragon) by Christopher Paolini—a story of a young hero and his fight against a dark ruler, where magic plays a key role and is firmly tied to an ancient language, willpower, and a bond with dragons.
Low fantasy: reality with a touch of magic
In contrast, low fantasy takes place in our real world or its alternative versions. Magic doesn't have to be omnipresent or play a leading role; this subgenre often follows ordinary characters who encounter something abnormal that doesn't belong in our world. Low fantasy can be darker and more realistic, yet it still contains fantastic elements. It focuses more on the characters' everyday lives.
One of the best examples of low fantasy is Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling, where a wizarding world exists alongside our own, intersecting to a limited extent. Although there is plenty of magic, Harry Potter is often classified as low fantasy precisely because it is set in a world that shares much with reality.
We can also include A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin. The story takes place in environments that resemble our historical realities. Fantastic elements do not dominate here, and magic is rather limited. Great emphasis is placed on political intrigue and the struggle for power, which are typical elements of low fantasy.
For fans of Czech history, we should mention the Hussite Trilogy by Andrzej Sapkowski, which combines historical events with fantasy elements. The story follows the fate of Reinmar of Bielawa during the Hussite Wars, where reality blends with mysticism.
Mythic fantasy: a return to myths and legends
Mythic fantasy draws from ancient myths, legends, and folklore of various cultures. Authors of this subgenre use original stories as inspiration to create new ones. Characters can be gods, demigods, or heroes from ancient times who undergo difficult trials.
As an example, we can mention the popular The Witcher by Andrzej Sapkowski. The Witcher stories have a strong mythical feel, both in the way the world is built and in how the characters are portrayed.
The second equally popular series is Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan. In the series, characters encounter mythological creatures, gods, and heroes from ancient legends.
Another author who incorporates deities, myths, and legends of various cultures into his stories is Neil Gaiman. His most famous works that definitely belong to mythic fantasy are American Gods, The Sandman, or Norse Mythology.
Sword & Sorcery: dark, gritty, and adventurous stories
Sword & sorcery focuses on action, adventure, and individual heroes who grapple with dark and dangerous forces. This genre is characterized by a fast pace and a gritty tone, focusing on personal combat and magic rather than grand epic tales.
A classic example is Conan the Barbarian by R. E. Howard. Conan is a hero who moves through an inhospitable world full of monsters, treacherous sorcerers, and intrigue. We also shouldn't overlook the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser book series by the founder of sword & sorcery himself—Fritz Leiber. Two heroes set out on adventures together, encountering magic, demons, and dangerous opponents. The stories are full of action, battles, intrigue, and spells, which are typical hallmarks of the genre.
Fans of the Warhammer Age of Sigmar world wouldn't forgive us if we didn't mention one of the most popular fantasy series, Gotrek and Felix. The stories follow the adventures of the dwarf Gotrek, who seeks a heroic death, and his human companion Felix, whose task is to record the dwarf's deeds.
Even among gamebooks, you can find those that fall into sword & sorcery. They have action-packed plots, dark spells, and, most importantly, gritty heroes. You'll find the most titles in the popular Fighting Fantasy gamebook series, such as The Warlock of Firetop Mountain or City of Thieves.
That's enough for today, but we're not finished
As mentioned, there are a great many fantasy subgenres, and today we only mentioned four. But this guide is far from over! If you want to continue exploring fantasy subgenres, you can boldly dive into our other guides:
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In conclusion, we shouldn't forget to summarize everything that knowing subgenres can bring us!
The fantasy genre and its subgenres offer a diverse world of stories. Thanks to this, everyone can find something they love, but it's also nice to be able to navigate it a bit. Knowing subgenres is a great way to make choosing books easier and find stories that truly suit your taste. You'll better estimate the atmosphere, narrative style, and main themes of a book. This allows you to choose a story based on your current mood and preferences, or request recommendations that make more sense to you.
Whether you're drawn to epic adventure, a dark and gritty atmosphere, or a magical world woven with romance, knowing the subgenres will allow you to hit the mark exactly.
Author: “Bunny” Dominika Mátyásiová
Bunny
Bunny je knihomolka a autorka článků pro imago, která sdílí čtenářské nadšení i na svém knižním Instagramu a TikToku jako Bunny The Reader.
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