Fantasy fiction - Fantasy can often be separated from other speculative fiction genres
by the lack of scientific or macabre themes, but not always. It is set in a
fictional universe, often without any locations, events, or people referencing
reality. Its roots are in oral traditions, sword and sorcery, mythology and old
gods. The most common tropes in the fantasy genre derive from the medieval or
renaissance eras. As part of speculative fiction (supernatural, fantasy,
superhero, science fiction, horror, etc.) modern fantasy more loosely blends
elements of near/ far other-worlds, ancient/ future worlds, and or alternative
histories.
Nowell Codex by Anonymous
(circa1000)
The codex is comprised of 3 works including Beowulf written
by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet. Beowulf slays a monster attacking the castle that belongs to the King of the Danes.
The Canterbury
Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer (1387)
Mostly written in verse, Chaucer describes a wide range of
classes in English society. As a courtier he wrote poetry for the nobility. In
the Knight's Tale, the MC leads crusades against pagan leaders in many countries.
The Three
Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas (1844)
A young man leaves home to join the Musketeers of the Guard.
Unable to join the elite corps, he befriends the three inseparables.
Phantastes by
George MacDonald (1858)
A young man is pulled into a dream world, hunting for the
Marble Lady, an idealized beauty. After many adventures and temptations he
gives up his ideals.
Conan the
Barbarian by Robert E. Howard (1932)
A barbarian who worships a deity called Crom, this sword and
sorcery fantasy originated in pulp fiction magazines, such as Weird Tales.
A Wizard of
Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin (1968)
Set in the fictional archipelago of Earthsea, a young wizard
unleashes a shadow creature during a duel with a fellow classmate.
Dragonsbane by Barbara
Hambly (1985)
A witch and a lord are approached by a prince who requests
they slay a dragon. They agree on the condition the king send troops to the Northlands to fend off bandits.
The Eye of the
World by Robert Jordan (1990)
When a global cataclysm ends the Age of Legends, The
Breaking of the World occurs three thousand years later. The series depicts
ancient mythology and advancements similar to the Industrial Revolution.
A Game of Thrones
by George R. R. Martin (1993)
In the Seven Kingdoms, Ned Stark executes a deserter who fled from the Wall. Meanwhile, the bastard Jon Snow joins the Night's Watch. And Daenerys Targaryen becomes betrothed to a Dothraki warlord.
The Way of Kings by
Brandon Sanderson (2010)
Cast out by his people, a Shin man is sent to murder the king
of one of the world's most powerful nations. He possesses magic such as Honorblade,
used to cut anything, and Surgebinding, that renders him able to bind things together.
