High Fantasy Books: 6 Characteristics of High Fantasy

High fantasy (or epic fantasy) is a fantasy subgenre in which the story takes place in a setting very unlike Earth and deals with world-threatening forces. The story might feature fantastic creatures, historic or unusual technologies, magical elements, and other unearthly elements. High fantasy does not need to incorporate Western fantasy tropes like swords or dragons, though these are common characteristics of the genre.

High fantasy resides underneath the larger umbrella of the fantasy genre. Other types of fantasy fiction include low fantasy, historical fantasy, wuxia, urban fantasy, sword and sorcery, and dark fantasy.

Most high-fantasy stories contain many fantastical elements. These include:

1. 1. A non-Earth setting: The key element of high fantasy (and what distinguishes it from low fantasy) is a setting unlike Earth. This “secondary world” might have many different things that make it distinct from Earth, including different animals, plants, races and cultures, cities, civilizational structures, belief systems, and more.
2. 2. A world-level conflict: A major element that distinguishes high fantasy from other kinds of fantasy (like sword and sorcery) is a high-stakes conflict—one that usually puts the entire world in jeopardy. High-fantasy plots often use the archetype of good versus evil to further distinguish the “good guys” from the “bad guys.”
3. 3. A hero: While it’s not a strict requirement of high-fantasy literature, most high-fantasy books feature a main hero who must fight off the evil forces and save the world. In many cases, this hero begins in a childlike state and must mature rapidly to stand up to the conflict. Alternatively, they might go on an extensive quest (or “hero’s journey”) to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to face the opposing forces.
4. 4. Fantastic creatures: Many high-fantasy stories incorporate unearthly creatures into their stories—these fantasy species can include dragons, unicorns, vampires, or beasts of urban legend.
5. 5. Historic or unusual technologies: Most high-fantasy stories take place in worlds with much different technology than currently exists on Earth. These stories often incorporate swords, knives, hand-to-hand combat, and other historical technologies or fighting styles.
6. 6. Magic: Many high-fantasy stories have a magic system the fantasy characters use or are aware of, and the magic might be a powerful tool or a major force on the plot of the story.

While book critics disagree on the differences between high fantasy and low fantasy, the most common definitions offer only one main distinction: setting. High-fantasy stories occur in a non-Earth or secondary world, while low fantasy stories take place on Earth or in a primary world very similar to it.

An example of high fantasy is The Lord of the Rings, set in Middle Earth. An example of low fantasy is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, set in a fictional version of the UK.

Here are some popular examples of high fantasy novels and series:

1. 1. A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin: In A Game of Thrones and the subsequent books in his series, Martin describes a fantasy world of two continents, Westeros and Essos, locked in political turmoil between warring families.
2. 2. The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis: This series follows a group of siblings and their friends as they fight off an evil ice queen. Lewis set his fantasy novels in both the real world and an alternate dimension. Some critics categorize these novels as part high fantasy, part low fantasy.
3. 3. The Cosmere works by Brandon Sanderson: The author designed a universe called the Cosmere, and he sets many of his novels and short stories on different planets within this interconnected universe. Notable works in the Cosmere include the Mistborn book series and The Stormlight Archive series.
4. 4. The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett: Beginning with The Colour of Magic in 1983, the Discworld series comprises more than forty works with various recurring characters and storylines, including a cowardly wizard named Rincewind, a community of witches, and a personified version of death.
5. 5. The Earthsea Cycle series by Ursula K. Le Guin: Comprising six novels and nine short stories, The Earthsea Cycle follows characters in the fictional land of Earthsea, a series of small islands and archipelagos with different cultures, magic, and beliefs.
6. 6. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin: Many readers describe The Fifth Season as a science fantasy book—a combination of science fiction and high fantasy. Set on a supercontinent called the Stillness, N.K. Jemisin’s book features a large caste system with a complex social structure.
7. 7. The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee: Made up of Jade City, Jade War, and Jade Legacy, Lee’s series takes place on a large island called Kekon. When world-building, Lee set out to create a fantasy series that didn’t center itself around tropes of medieval Europe, which has been common to many other high-fantasy stories.
8. 8. The Lord of the Rings books by J. R. R. Tolkien: Readers and critics consider The Lord of the Rings trilogy to be archetypal Western high fantasy. The trio of books and Tolkien’s prequel, The Hobbit, take place in a fantasy realm called Middle Earth and feature communities of elves, dwarves, wizards, and hobbits.
9. 9. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: The first novel in Rothfuss’s series called The Kingkiller Chronicle chronicles one man’s retelling of his epic life in a fictional world called Temerant.

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