High Fantasy
What is High Fantasy?
One of the most popular forms of fantasy fiction takes its basic formula from ancient epic storytelling, which combined legend and history to produce a tale that educates, entertains and enthralls.
Where would such a story be without a quest? Pretty much stuck in one place with no device to explore the fantasy world. This is why a journey to find or do some crucial thing is de rigueur in this sub-genre.
The “High Fantasy” part of this type refers to the secondary or parallel world created for readers. The world we live in may be acknowledged, in the form of visitors, or exile, or some other oblique reference; but it is not the world in which the story’s action takes place. There, magic is a commonplace tool much in demand due to the power and cunning of evil characters attempting to thwart our heroes’’ attainment of their objectives (which tend to be grand and involve saving the world and all its good inhabitants).
Speaking of good, the battle between it and evil is always a major component of these stories. Lines are clearly drawn and there is no moral ambiguity, no wishy-washy hand-wringing about whether to slay this or that. The quest itself is so necessary, so urgent, and so unequivocally “good” that anything that obstructs its attainment is thus easily identified as “evil”.
These are without a doubt the most popular kind of fantasy you’ll find on the bookstore shelves today. Some of the big names in the fantasy genre are all Epic/Quest fantasy – authors like Tolkien and Jordan come to mind.
Other Features of Quest/Epic High Fantasy
Level of Magic
Magic figures strongly in this type, but it is not used willy-nilly. It is a commodity that must be used wisely to be effective. Typically, magic is very common in quest fantasy, though it depends on the style of the author.
Level of Characterization
Many characters means that most must be fairly one-dimensional. But the hero is a forceful and dynamic figure who powers through the most frightful obstacles (with a little help from his friends).
Level of Plot Complexity
Taken as a whole, the plot is all about attainment of the quest goal. But the number of characters and their attendant subplots can make this seem busier than it really is.
Level of Violence
Variable, but usually not graphic enough to be offensive to most readers.
Related Types of Fantasy
Pretty much anything having an identifiable hero up against a capable thwarter can be considered related. The main elements—hero, quest, obstacles—are found to some degree in the Realistic, Coming-of-Age, Historic, Heroic, Political, and, to some extent, Romantic Fantasy subgenres.
Quest/Epic High Fantasy Isn’t For You If
If all fantasy fiction seems the same to you, you probably don’t appreciate the subtle distinctions that make High Fantasy different from, say Political Fantasy. Which probably means that the alien-ness of this genre doesn’t appeal to you. In addition, there are a lot of different characters and subplots to keep track of in this type. If you prefer depth over breadth, look elsewhere.
Most Popular High Fantasy Series/Books in the Genre
Note, these are not an exhuastive list of "the best" but rather a recommendation of the more representational writers and series in the genre.
J.R.R Tolkien The Lord of the Rings
Robert Jordan The Wheel of Time
Tad Williams Memory, Sorrow, Thorn trilogy
Raymond E. Feist Riftwar Saga
Peter S. Beagle The Last Unicorn
Stephen R. Donaldson The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series
L.E. Modesitt Recluce series
Guy Gavriel Kay Tigana /The Fionavar Tapestry
Robin Hobb Farseer (and other works by her)
J.V. Jones Sword of Shadows series
Scott Lynch Locke Lamora series
Steven Erikson Mazalan Book of the Fallen
Terry Goodkind Sword of Truth
Terry Brooks Shannara series
David Eddings The Belgaraid
For a more detailed recommendation list of the best epic/quest fantasy, check out our Best Epic Fantasy book list.
Lesser Known Quest/High Fantasy Series Books in the Genre
Kate Elliott Crossroads series
Kate Forsyth The Witches of Eileanan
Patrick Rothfuss The Kingkiller Chronicle
Jenna Rhodes Elven Ways series
Kristen Britain Green Rider series
Greg Keyes Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone
Laurie J. Marks Elemental Logic series
Jim Butcher Codex Alera
James Maxey Dragon Age series
Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman Death Gate cycle
Carol Berg Rai-Kirah, Bridge of D’Arnath, Valen of Navronne series
Related Book Lists
"Best of" Lists
Related Subgenre Lists
- Coming of Age Fantasy Books
- Heroic Fantasy Books
- Gritty Epic Fantasy Books
- Romantic Fantasy Books
- Political Fantasy Books
Do you have your own quest/epic fantasy suggestions? Share them in the comment section below!
After thirty years of reading, writing and researching the fantasy genre, I've recently started a blog on the subject. My first series of posts will be about High Fantasy stories and the Medieval Model.
What is this model you ask. While Joseph Campbell had his monomyth of the Hero's Journey to explain the structure of myths and epic tales, C.S. Lewis had his "Medieval Model" to explain the textures, colors and flavors of the stories from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. When you hear a professor of Medieval literature recommend the novels of Lewis or Tolkien as a good introduction to Medieval literature for modern readers, it is the elements of the "Medieval Model" found in these tales that they are referring to. While it is Lewis and Tolkien's mastery of their craft that allows them to bring these elements successfully into stories that the modern reader enjoys, in reality these elements are timeless and speak to the inmost needs of our hearts.
To help illustrate the elements of this model in High Fantasy novels, I contrast High Fantasy with the genre that often seems to be its mirror image, namely Hard Sci-Fi (so even if your tastes run more towards sci-fi rather than fantasy, I would still appreciate your thoughts and comments on the blog, even if simply to see that I represent your favorite genre correctly).
Here's my blog's URL: theswordoffire.wordpress.com
Please drop by, read a bit and leave a comment.
Regards,
Bill McGrath