Alternate History Fantasy
What is Alternate History Fantasy?
Traditionally set in some recognized period of history—such as the Dark Ages, the Victorian era, the Enlightenment, early Rome—these works insert magic matter-of-factly into daily life.
Whether magic causes a divergence from accepted history to lead to a totally new outcome, or whether known history is reformulated as the result of magic, this form can be a lot of fun for history buffs who like to search for inaccuracies or improbabilities within the framework of the story.
The challenge here is to find a plausible, interesting alternative to some turning point in history, given that magic played a hand. And then, of course, the requirements of a good fantasy novel must be fulfilled. Authors who choose this sub-genre are submitting work to a devoted and demanding audience, so the work tends to be solid.
Alternate History Fantasy is also called Historical Fantasy, this form is trending to include countries other than the European ones of the Medieval and Classical ages, and also to treat more recent history.
There is a bit of a difference between the two:
Alternate History versus Historical Fantasy Fiction
Alternate history is set in a place where actual history has deviated from current historical accounts. Think of it as a parallel history to our own, one where events may have been dramatically different. Alternate history can include fantastical elements. One can have alternate history where the rules of the universe follow that of our own or an alternate fantasy where magic works (you might call this alternate history fantasy).
Historical fantasy fiction, on the other hand, takes place during our own history. The history is just filtered through the eyes of fictional (or real, but fictionally reproduced) characters. Historical fiction when it includes fantasy elements or magic is categorized as Historical Fantasy.
Alternate History / Historical Fantasy Characteristics
Level of Magic
It's important in this form to maintain a believable depiction of the period where the action takes place. Magic will never be so widespread that events that did happen can raise the question of why some power was not exercised to either prevent it or change it.
Level of Characterization
Many complex characters can exist in these stories, due to the fact that extensive biographies of the likely historical figures are already known.
Level of Plot Complexity
Can be quite high. Oftentimes many events not commonly thought to be related are drawn together to support the alternative outcome, and each one of those events has to be realistically characterized. A high level of interest in or knowledge of the period is helpful in keeping things straight for the reader.
Level of Violence
Every period of history has a characteristic level of sex and violence in the public mind. You can count on those perceptions being supported in the Alternative History depiction of that era.
Related Types of Fantasy
Political Fantasy and some Realistic Fantasy can be considered related, given the fact that there are real-world requirements that must be fulfilled in order to pass the scrutiny of skilled historians. Historical Fantasy is also highly related, though the difference is that Historical Fantasy may take historical events and reimagine them in some way (Hitler with evil magical powers, The English and French fighting not with navel ships, but flying dragons, etc).
Alternate History Fantasy Isn’t For You If
You can't maintain a flexible mindset in terms of reconciling the historical detail with the fantasy elements. If you're not a fantasy fan, but you are a history buff, you might be put off by the flights of fancy that are bound to take place.
Popular Alternative History Fantasy Books / Series
A Song for Arbonne, Sailing to Sarantium Guy Gavriel Kay
The Age of Unreason series J. Gregory Keyes
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell Susannah Clarke
The Hammer and the Cross trilogy Harry Harrison
Seven Waters Trilogy Juliet Marillier
The Crucible, The Troy Game Sara Douglass
The Tales of Alvin Maker Orson Scott Card
Avalon series Marion Zimmer Bradley
*all books Harry Turtledove
Under Heaven Gavriel Guy Kay
The Once and Future King T.S. Elliott
The Moon and the Sun Vonda N. McIntyre
Kushiel’s Legacy Jacqueline Carey
Temeraire series Namoi Novik
Other Recommendations
The Grand Ellipse Paula Volsky
Ilario and The Book of Ash Mary Gentle
The Light Ages and House of Storms Ian R. MacLeod
White Tyger series Paul Park
Black Ships Jo Graham
Alchemist series Dave Duncan
Promethean Age series Elizabeth Bear
Midnight Never Come Marie Brennan
Territory Emma Bull
Leviathon Scott Westerfeld
Treason’s Heir Jacqueline Carey
The Forgotten Legion Ben Kane
Do you have your own alternative history fantasy suggestions? Share them in the comment section below!
You mean T.H. White for The Once & Future King, not T.S. Eliot. Eliot was a poet best known for The Waste Land.