What are the characteristics of fantasy fiction books?

Often, they have a made - up world. For example, in 'The Lord of the Rings', Middle - earth is a fully - fledged world with its own history, languages, and cultures. Magic also plays a big part. In 'Harry Potter', there are spells and potions. And they usually have unique creatures. Think of the dragons in 'Eragon' or the faeries in 'The Cruel Prince'.

Gay fantasy books in fantasy fiction often break traditional gender norms. In these stories, male and female characters may not conform to the typical roles society assigns them. The magic systems can also be unique in relation to the gay characters. For instance, in some books, a character's sexual orientation might be linked to their magical abilities or how they interact with the magic in the world. Also, these books usually have strong themes of acceptance and self - discovery, as the gay characters navigate their identities in a world that may or may not be accepting, like in 'Red, White & Royal Blue' where the two main characters have to deal with public perception of their relationship.

One characteristic is the presence of dark themes. These can include things like death, destruction, and moral ambiguity. For example, in 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series, characters often face difficult moral choices. Another is the use of magic or supernatural elements in a way that is often not as bright and shiny as in traditional fantasy. In 'The Kingkiller Chronicle', the magic has a certain mystery and danger to it. Also, the settings are usually more on the gritty and gloomy side, like the post - apocalyptic world in 'The Road' which has some dark fantasy elements.

Typically, they often feature wolves with special abilities or in unique situations. For example, in some books, wolves can communicate telepathically with humans. They usually have a strong sense of the natural world as well, since wolves are closely associated with nature.

Female fantasy fiction books usually have richly detailed settings. Whether it's a magical forest in 'The Bear and the Nightingale' or a divided society in 'Red Queen'. Female characters' growth is also a big part. They start from a certain point and develop throughout the story, like in 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone'. And often, there are elements of mystery. In 'Truthwitch', the mystery of the witches' powers keeps the reader engaged.

In rootwork fantasy fiction, there's a blend of the real and the magical. The magic is not just flashy spells but is often tied to the land, the ancestors, and the community. Characters might use rootwork for protection, revenge, or to solve mysteries. The stories can also explore themes of identity, especially when the characters are part of a marginalized group whose magic has been passed down through generations. For instance, in some books, the main character discovers their family's rootwork heritage and has to learn to use it while dealing with modern - day problems.

Fantasy supernatural fiction books typically have a sense of wonder. They take readers to places and show them things that don't exist in the real world. For example, the ability to fly on a broomstick in the wizarding world of 'Harry Potter'. There's also a lot of symbolism. The White Witch in 'The Chronicles of Narnia' can be seen as a symbol of evil. And the characters often have to face moral dilemmas. In 'A Song of Ice and Fire', characters are constantly making difficult choices between power, loyalty, and morality in a world full of magic and danger. Moreover, the power dynamics between different groups, be it humans, elves, or wizards, are often explored in depth.

Good fantasy books often have unique and immersive worlds. For example, in 'The Lord of the Rings', Tolkien created Middle - earth which is full of different cultures and landscapes. They also usually have memorable characters, like Harry Potter who is brave and kind - hearted. Magic or some sort of extraordinary element is another characteristic, as seen in 'A Song of Ice and Fire' with the wizards and magic spells here and there.

A common characteristic is the blend of different genres. Recent fantasy books often mix with elements of romance, like in 'A Court of Silver Flames' by Sarah J. Maas. They also may incorporate historical or cultural elements. 'The Bear and the Nightingale' by Katherine Arden draws on Russian folklore and history. Another aspect is the exploration of mental health and inner struggles, as seen in some modern YA fantasy books.

Fantasy short fiction books typically have richly imaginative settings. They can transport you to otherworldly places like floating islands or underground kingdoms in just a few pages. Their characters are often archetypal but with a twist. For instance, a heroic wizard who has a fatal flaw. And they tend to play with the boundaries of reality. Stories might have time - bending elements or different laws of physics, like in some of Philip K. Dick's short fantasy works.