Heroic Fantasy
What is Heroic Fantasy
Heroic Fantasy has been bypassed recently by other fantasy genres, but the affinity of young males for comic book-style heroes pretty much guarantees the longevity of this form, which was once the backbone of the entire fantasy genre.
These are action/adventure stories on as grand a scale as the author feels like cooking up—this world, whether long ago or in the distant future, another planet, another dimension. The hero is typically humble, unassuming, and/or reluctant to take on his role as savior of said world/planet/dimension. He also has noble lineage which makes him uniquely qualified for that role, although he's initially unaware of the glorious fact. His birthright includes magical powers, of course, which he may sometimes prefer to use over weaponry. The hero is generally pretty kick ass and ranges from a man or woman who’s smarter, stronger (physically or magically), or in some way more gifted than the average person to heroes with almost god-like powers (usually achieved only through great struggle, and if an epic fantasy, after many books and a long quest).
In these stories, “...all men are strong, all women beautiful, all life adventurous, and all problems simple...”, explains L. Sprague de Camp, an author credited with igniting a renaissance of the form in the late 1960's. It's pure escapism, and one of the most fun sub-genres in fantasy. You can be assured of comedy, drama, despair, and triumph in measures that satisfy formulaically, but completely.
Heroic Fantasy versus Epic Fantasy
Many epic fantasy books incorporate elements of Heroic fantasy in them – most epic fantasy features a key hero character. However, epic fantasy is not necessarily Heroic Fantasy while heroic fantasy can be epic fantasy. Some argue that Heroic and Epic fantasy are two sides of the same coin, while others see them as separate subgenres.
Heroic Fantasy versus Sword and Sorcery Fantasy
Sword and Sorcery is often called Heroic Fantasy, though one can argue there are some subtle differences. Sword and Sorcery certainly incorporates many of the Heroic Fantasy traits. The differences are that Sword and Sorcery, in its truest form, tends to be set in a landscape that's not well defined. The landscape is like a play stage where the props are all visible on the stage, but there is nothing outside of the curtain. You won't see well realized peoples, cultures, or even other characters. The focus is not on the surroundings, but on the hero, who churns through the landscape like a force of nature. Sword & Sorcery tends to utilize the pulp format.
Note: you should look at our Best Sword and Sorcery books list and our Best Epic Fantasy Books list for a list of (more) books that fall under this category. Also check out the Epic/Quest Fantasy Books list.
Related Types of Fantasy
Some dispute this category as a true sub-genre, for being too closely related to Epic High Fantasy. Gritty fantasy often incorporates heroic fantasy elements, as does Political Fantasy Certainly Sword and Sorcery is a related subgenre. Coming-of-Age fantasy stories are often heroic in nature too, as such stories center about the rise of a hero. In truth, most of the fantasy subgenre's have some elements of heroic fantasy to them. The Sword and Sorcery and the Epic Fantasy genres are the most closely related ones.
Heroic Fantasy Isn’t For You If...
You are left unsatisfied with simple, shallow cliches in characters and morality. There is also generally a good deal of violence in this type, as well as a reliance on stereotypes of a cultural and sexual nature.
Characteristics of Heroic Fantasy
Level of Magic
Magic exists, but the action/adventure angle of these works provides more opportunity for the hero to skillfully wield weapons to overcome villains.
Level of Characterization
Low, with stock good and evil opponents. This is not meant to imply the characters are boring, but that they will not keep you guessing.
Level of Plot Complexity
All aspects of plot are straightforward in these stories.
Level of Violence
A high level of violence is featured, and may sometimes be paired with sexuality to some degree.
Popular Heroic Fantasy Series/Books
Drenai Tales David Gemmell
Lankhmar series Fritz Leiber
Elric series Michael Moorcock
Sword of Truth series Terry Goodkind
Conan Robert E. Howard
Drizzt Do'Urden (The Dark Elf) R.A. Salvatore
Chronicles of Amber Roger Zelazny
The Ten Thousand Paul Kearney
The Warded Man Peter V. Brett
Magician Raymond E. Feist
Wheel of Time Robert Jordan
Mazalan Book of the Fallen Steven Erikson
Shanara series Terry Brooks
Belgariad Eddings
Other Heroic Fantasy Recommendations
Troy series David Gemmell
Overworld series Matthew Woodring Stover
Erevis Cale series Paul S. Kemp
War God series David Weber
Chronicles of the Raven James Barclay
Authors who specialize in Heroic Fantasy...
David Gemmell
Paul Kearney
Michael Stover
R.A. Salvatore
Terry Goodkind
Robert Jordan
Steven Erickson
*one could also throw in most of the epic fantasy authors out there…
Do you have your own heroic suggestions? Share them in the comment section below!