“So many books, so little time.”
Dark, Dying Earth, Gritty and Grimdark Fantasy By Elaine Patterson, Newbridge Headquarters. Dark Fantasy This sub-genre is a blend of horror and fantasy with a brooding or dark atmosphere, so it aims to unnerve or frighten the reader. The setting tends to be paranormal with supernatural elements such as vampires or werewolves. The magic in… Continue reading Fantasy Series – A Closer Look at the Genre – Part 7
Author: Lucinda Riley Title: The Seven Sisters Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Adult Fiction Reviewed by: Aoife Kerr, Leixlip Library Maia D’Apliese and her five sisters gather together at their childhood home, Atlantis- an amazing, secluded castle on the shores of Lake Geneva- having been told that their beloved father, who had adopted them all as… Continue reading Book Review: The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
Alternate Worlds, Crossworlds, Portal and Quest Fantasy By Elaine Patterson, Newbridge Headquarters. Alternate World Fantasy Stories told in this sub-genre take place on a world other than our own and journeys to this world end in adventure. Consequently, world building is very important in Alternate World Fantasy as they must be developed enough to be… Continue reading Fantasy Series – A Closer Look at the Genre – Part 6
Title: House of Earth and Blood Author: Sarah J. Maas Genre: Fantasy fiction. High fantasy. Romantic fantasy. Review by: Chantelle, LCA Intern for Library HQ Synopsis: Bryce Quinlan used to light up Crescent City, partying all night in the clubs where the strict classes of Angel, Shifter, Human and Fae merge into a sea of… Continue reading Book Review: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Sword and Sorcery/Planet, Swashbuckling and Military Fantasy By Elaine Patterson, Newbridge Headquarters. Sword and Sorcery Fantasy and Sword and Planet Fantasy Sword and Sorcery Fantasy focuses on sword-wielding heroes and their adventures to save the day, and includes magic (which is usually restricted to the villains). Stories in this sub-genre do not tend to be… Continue reading Fantasy Series – A Closer Look at the Genre – Part 5
Low, Mundane, Magical Realism and Vampire Fantasy By Elaine Patterson, Newbridge Headquarters. Low Fantasy Low Fantasy is the opposite of High Fantasy, and so has little emphasis on heroism and magic. The setting is more ordinary, such as the real world or a world very like the real world. Social commentary is often present, with… Continue reading Fantasy Series – A Closer Look at the Genre – Part 4
Children, Epic, High, Hard and Dragon Fantasy By Elaine Patterson, Newbridge Headquarters. Epic Fantasy Epic fantasy usually features a world altering quest such as saving the world from a great evil or being destroyed. The focus is on the scale of conflict, with a large cast of characters engaged in a Good vs Evil story.… Continue reading Fantasy Series – A Closer Look at the Genre – Part 3
Children, Young Adult and Coming of Age and Anthropomorphic Fantasy By Elaine Patterson, Newbridge Headquarters. Children’s Fantasy This is fantasy that is explicitly aimed at children, although adults will often enjoy some children’s series and books. Children’s fantasy tends to have younger but highly developed characters, a low level of violence, a variable level of… Continue reading Fantasy Series – A Closer Look at the Genre – Part 2
There are many fantasy fans among our readers in Kildare Libraries so Elaine in Library HQ has taken a look at this genre in depth. This will be a series of interesting articles on the various types of fantasy writing, appearing on this blog once a week. Part 1 - Introduction I thought I would… Continue reading Fantasy Series – A Closer Look at the Genre – Part 1
Author: Jennifer Donnelly Reviewed by: Niamh Ennis, Leixlip Library Stepsister takes the original Grimm Tales version of Cinderella and turns it on it’s head again. Isabella and Vari are the two step-sisters of Ella and their mother is keen to get them married to the prince. Isabella and Vari are forced by her to do… Continue reading Stepsister
