World Building

This is a term I didn’t really think about a lot until I started writing myself. For any book, I want to feel it is a complete universe. Even if it’s realistic fiction, I want I understand those characters world. It’s that much more important with fantasy. Hogwarts is not just a modern boarding school that teaches magic. It has a long history built on tradition. In order for fantasy to work for me, I need to understand how the it is different from our world. The rules of the world can be nonsensical, but a great writer will show us how they make sense. This makes fantasy perfect for the writer who is looking to escape into a book.

Retellings

I love books that put a twist on familar stories. Often this is a contemporary or mystery novel. But, my favorites are based in mythology and fairy tales. I love the combination of familiar mixed with new ideas. There are so many different approaches. These classic stories hold timeless themes that can hold true in many different settings. You can also take antiquated ideas and modify them to modern morals.

Good vs. Evil

We all want to see good prevail over evil. Fantasy lends itself to clear heros and villians. Even though it might take a few books, we know that in the end good will win. That being send, fantasy also lends itself to complex characters where good and evil isn’t obvious. In series like A Court of Thorn and Roses the outside appearance of characters is often decieving, making the reader change their mind about who is good and who is evil.

Deeper Meaning

Fantasy also lends itself to touching on controversial topics without feeling threatening. Fantasy worlds can make statements about society through metaphor and symbolism. It makes it more palatable for people to face their prejudices when it’s presented as a magical creature versus a person.

Fun

Not all fantasy has to be epic. Some of my favorites are fun chick lit or cozy series like Enchanted Inc. When you add an element of magic, there are so many possibilities to put the characters in crazy situations.

What do you look for in a fantasy?