It’s high fantasy month at Fully Booked, and we are thrilled to be diving into one of our favorite literary genres. With works by hard-hitting authors like Brandon Sanderson and J.R.R. Tolkien, high fantasy is one of the world’s best-selling genres of writing. And for good reason: high fantasy is enthralling, exciting, and completely absorbing.
But what exactly is high fantasy anyway? And what sets it apart from low fantasy and other fantasy subgenres?
If you find yourself unsure, you can stop worrying right here. We’ve put together a quick overview to help you navigate the differences. For new fans, and old-timers alike, this guide will shed some light on the different facets of fantasy as a genre, and what exactly defines both high and low fantasy.
Our quest begins.
What Is High Fantasy?

To begin, high fantasy is a subgenre of the broader fantasy category. It is often defined by its epic scope and its heroic characters. (For this reason, high fantasy is also sometimes known as “epic fantasy.”)
Most importantly, high fantasy is set in a secondary world that is separate from our own. Famous examples of these secondary worlds include Middle Earth in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord Of The Rings series or Westeros in the Game of Thrones books. (Which, if you’re a fan of the latter, rejoice: its spinoff series, House Of The Dragon, was just approved for season three!)
What Is Low Fantasy?
Low fantasy, on the other hand, is another subgenre of fantasy. Low fantasy is defined most frequently by its setting in our familiar world, and often features fantastical characters, events, or plotlines appearing in an otherwise “normal” world.
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What Are Some Characteristics Of High Fantasy?

ISBN: 345339703
High fantasy is often characterized by four different aspects: its setting, its scope, its characters, and its plotlines.
Most commonly, high fantasy is defined by its fantastical setting. Stories in the high fantasy genre are typically set in secondary worlds that are different from our own. These worlds often contain their own rules, histories, cultures, geographies, and even logic. The secondary worlds of high fantasy stories are often inspired by mythology and folklore, and they frequently feature magical or fantastical elements including spells, artifacts, and magical creatures.

Another defining characteristic of high fantasy is its scope. High fantasy works are often set over long periods of time and faraway distances, suggesting multi-generational storylines and multi-cultural interactions within the world in which the story is set. As a result, the stakes are usually extremely important in high fantasy works, such as the balance of good and evil, the salvation of a nation, or the destruction of an entire world.
For this reason alone, many high fantasy stories are set across multi-book series. This longer page count allows authors and readers to really dive into a deep, encyclopedic world with intricate storylines that span long timeframes.
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The third defining characteristic of high fantasy is its use of characters. The figures in high fantasy works are often heroic characters who are tasked with battling morally complicated figures. They might be figures who are unwillingly plunged into these quests, or even characters who are unaware of their abilities.
It’s also a common trend in high fantasy to feature protagonists who possess magical powers or are fated to save the world. It only follows, then, that most protagonists in high fantasy works undergo significant change and development on their hero’s quest.
Finally, high fantasy works can often be identified by their plotlines. High fantasy generally follows a series of characters and subplots, but these storylines are often united by a common conflict of good versus evil. Perhaps the characters are using magic to fight this battle, or perhaps they are inspired by folklore and classical mythology. No matter what, high fantasy is almost always characterized by an epic struggle for power, often with the fate of a world or a nation hanging in the balance.
What Are The Characteristics Of Low Fantasy?

Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the defining characteristics of high fantasy, let’s pin down the definition of low fantasy, a separate subgenre of fantasy most commonly defined by realistic settings, limited magical elements, and everyday characters.
Low fantasy is most universally defined by its setting in a generally realistic world not dissimilar to our own. Characters might be living mundane lives, only to be surprised by the presence of magical or fantastical elements.
The use of magic and fantasy is another defining characteristic of low fantasy. Unlike high fantasy, where magic might be widespread, low fantasy often features more subtle and less common uses of magic and the fantastical, such as supernatural events or powers that are at odds with the setting.
And, finally, the use of everyday characters is another feature of low fantasy. While high fantasy often features magical characters and fantastical beings, low fantasy often features characters who are ordinary human beings confronted with the presence of magic.
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What Are Some Examples of Books In Each Genre?
Some of the most famous works of high fantasy include:
- The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien
- A Game of Thrones, the series by George R.R. Martin
- The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis
Example works of low fantasy, on the other hand, include:
- The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
- Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
- The Spiderwick Chronicles series by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black (check out the new Roku series if you’re a fan of the books!)
Whether you’re a fan of high fantasy or low fantasy, or a curious reader looking to better understand the subgenres within fantasy, we hope this article has shed some light on the differences between high and low fantasy, as well as given you a starting point to continue your reading journey.