fantasy fiction
-
Cozy Fantasy for the Long Dark
As we settle in and prepare for the Long Dark in Seattle, grab a mug of your favorite tea, your coziest blanket, and cuddle up with these low stakes, high comfort fantasy reads. Regional author and audio book narrator extraordinaire Travis Baldree made an unexpected splash in the fantasy market with his first novel Legends… Continue reading
-
Our Favorite Fantasy Fiction of 2022
I’d say Fantasy Fiction is enjoying a “renaissance,” but it never went away, and has garnered massive mainstream interest since a certain boy wizard’s first day at Hogwart’s, or even since Bilbo left the Shire. That said, today’s fantasy readers can choose from an unprecedented diversity of subgenres, settings, voices and themes. We recently compiled… Continue reading
-
Taking a walk on the weird side of Fantastical Seattle
We all know that Seattle is fantastic, but only fantasy readers know just how much so. Seattle not-quite-as-we-know-it has appeared in many fantasy novels. Urban fantasy fans will be familiar with Kat Richardson’s classic Greywalker series, in which psychic sleuth Harper Blaine solves crimes along the natural and supernatural faultline that passes right through our… Continue reading
-
Science fiction and fantasy books about change
During these times of uncertainty, many of us are looking to our favorite writers for comfort and guidance. For decades, speculative-fiction writers have shown themselves to be especially well-versed in the subject of uncertainty, using their magical worlds to explore social problems and existential questions that complicate our daily lives. Here are three science fiction… Continue reading
-
If You Like Game of Thrones
Frustrated that George RR Martin’s “Game of Thrones” series still isn’t finished, or that the TV spinoff is? Either way, if you’re looking for fresh fantastical worlds to lose yourself in, replete with political machinations, bloodthirsty scheming and shocking twists, here are some recent epic fantasy series starters for you to dive into. Continue reading
-
January Literary Celebrations
January comes with a break from the holidays, but if you enjoy celebrating and love books, here are some ideas for literary celebrations for January. We’ll start off with Tolkien day on January 3. It’s his birthday and a day celebrated by the Tolkien Society. They recommend a very simple celebration: find somewhere to have a drink, and at 9 PM make a toast with… Continue reading
-
My Favorite 2017 Science Fiction and Fantasy
Every year I set reading goals for myself. One of those goals is to read as much as possible. I also try to get to a few older books I have been meaning to read. But trying to read the latest releases in literary fiction, nonfiction and science fiction and fantasy is an evergreen reading… Continue reading
-
Awesome Upcoming Children’s Fantasy Titles
-posted by Selby G. This is your ‘fair warning’ to get your ‘fantastic eyes’ on these great kids’ fantasy books and become a ‘reader’ before the latest installments come out. I am insanely excited for March 1st, and not because it is National Pig Day or the sixtieth day of the year. I am excited because… Continue reading
-
Fantasy Checklist Challenge: Romantic Fantasy
~posted by Selby G. Romance novels, by their very nature, are usually not considered great literature. This is not to say that romance novels are not worth reading, but perhaps they should be judged with relaxed criteria. It is no different in the fantasy romance subgenre. Stories abound with sexy witches, shape shifters of all… Continue reading
-
Fantasy Checklist Challenge: Young Adult
~posted by Jessica W. Young adult novels appeal to many people, often because of the plot-driven storylines, but also because they’re about people finding themselves through turmoil, whether it’s a breakup or the world literally ending. The protagonist enters the book (or series) unsure and unformed, and leaves stronger, wiser, and often a leader in… Continue reading
-
Fantasy Checklist Challenge: Mythopoeia
Mythopoeia: The creation of a myth or myths. –Oxford English Dictionary How do you decide if it’s a mythopoetic book? I’m not entirely sure, but to me these books display a deep and believable magical system, drawn from old gods and stories. They create myths that I want to believe in. Possibly one of the best examples of this, The Wood… Continue reading
-
Fantasy Checklist Challenge: Thieves
~posted by Deborah B. Fantasy tales are rife with characters from the seedy underbelly of society. Robin Hood, a mythical English robber, is the hero of Disney’s 1973 animated film, where many children are first introduced to the “loveable rascal” thief-type. Robin Hood’s shenanigans were so much more fun than any other Disney film, at least… Continue reading
-
Fantasy Checklist Challenge: Urban Fantasy
~posted by Lindsay S. If you like the idea of magic and fantasy, but think made-up worlds and pseudo-medieval times are weird, Urban Fantasy might just be the subgenre for you. In Urban Fantasy stories, magical and fantastical elements are plunked right down in the middle of modern day life. The results can be hilarious,… Continue reading
-
Fantasy Checklist Challenge: High Fantasy
~posted by Meranda T. Lloyd Alexander, of the Prydain Chronicles, can be given credit for coining the term “High Fantasy.” A term used to define a genre that is placed in an imaginary world or based on epic and fantastical plots. This is a sub-genre of fantasy I have always liked. My first experience with High Fantasy is… Continue reading
-
Fantasy Checklist Challenge: Fairy Tale Retellings
~posted by Jenny C. I love a good fairy tale; both the originals and all the myriad sorts of retelling. My very favorites, though, are the ones that keep that darkness that’s inherent in many fairy tales, and add infinite embroideries onto a familiar cloth. One of the best examples of the sheer variety possible… Continue reading
-
Fantasy Checklist Challenge: Comic Fantasy, All Pratchett
~posted by David H. If there has ever been a king of comic fantasy, then that crown was worn by the late Terry Pratchett. And in that crown, the shining jewel is the Discworld series. Published in 37 different languages with over 80 million books sold, Pratchett is second only to J.K. Rowling as the… Continue reading
-
Fantasy Checklist Challenge: Comic Fantasy
~posted by David H. Much like its sister genre science fiction, funny isn’t the first word that springs to mind when people think of the fantasy genre. The straight-faced seriousness of early fantasy authors like J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings) and Robert E. Howard (Conan), and contemporary ones like Robert Jordan (The Eye… Continue reading
-
Fantasy Checklist Challenge: Dragons
~Posted by Jenny C. Oh, Dragons! How do I even begin? I mean, we’ve recently had a post that featured the Mother of Dragons — and by that I mean Anne McCaffrey (sorry Khaleesi). And my friend Misha’s post captured three of my all time favorite dragon fantasies: Temeraire, (Master and Commander with dragons), Tooth and Claw, (Dickensian succession drama) and A Natural History of… Continue reading