Calling all fantasy fans! As we wrap up high fantasy month, we’re continuing to dive into some of the murkier definitions in the fantasy genre. If you’ve ever felt uncertain about the difference between high fantasy and epic fantasy, you’re not alone. In fact, be sure to listen to our most recent podcast discussion about the resurgence of high fantasy if you’re interested in learning more.
So, what exactly is the difference between high fantasy and epic fantasy? And what are the similarities? (Spoiler alert: the two genres, while different, are not mutually exclusive!)
So What Is The Difference Between High Fantasy And Epic Fantasy?
At its most fundamental, high fantasy transports readers away into a world that is completely different from our own. The “high” in high fantasy describes the nature of the setting as highly crafted and detailed.
Epic fantasy, on the other hand, is a sub-genre defined by its massive scope. In works of epic fantasy, there are usually so many characters you need a chart to keep them straight. There are also typically large-scale conflicts that bear major implications for the fate of the world itself, which means characters often embark on long and arduous journeys in an attempt to address the problem.
Let’s dive into each of the sub-genres to better understand the intricacies of each one.
High Fantasy: In A Galaxy Far, Far Away…
High fantasy is a vast and spectacular genre of fiction. The details of this high fantasy world are vastly distinct from reality, often featuring magical forces, mythical creatures, complex folkloric backgrounds, and age-old conflicts between groups. These worlds are marked by the presence of magic and whimsy: in short, everything you might wish existed in the real world.
This means, then, that for a work to truly be high fantasy, it must exist within a different universe. If a novel were, for example, set in a faraway planet yet still within our own galaxy, this novel would technically not be a work of high fantasy, as it would make reference to our own world. In high fantasy, the reality we know simply doesn’t exist, making it a great choice for readers looking to escape. High fantasy is the perfect staycation.
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One of the most famous examples of high fantasy works is George R.R. Martin’s A Song Of Ice And Fire series. (If you haven’t yet begun watching its spin-off adaptation House of the Dragon, you are in for a treat!) Other famous high fantasy works include J.R.R. Tolkien’s genre-shaping Lord of the Rings series and Brandon Sanderson’s hit Stormlight Archive series.
For a longer run-down of some of the best high fantasy novels out there, check out our recent list of the ten best high fantasy novels for adults.
Epic Fantasy: Big Adventures, Bigger Stakes
Due to its grand scale, epic fantasy books are often part of a longer series with extremely high page counts. Epic fantasy is sometimes encyclopedic as it dives into the backstories of various characters, places, and factions. This length allows readers to dive in and truly become immersed in the battle at hand and the stakes at play.
As you can see, epic fantasy then can be a pretty loose definition. While it is often synonymous with high fantasy, in truth the genres are ever so slightly different. Epic fantasy can ultimately be set in the world in which we live, which makes it different from works of high fantasy. No matter what, epic fantasy is a great choice for readers who are looking to be thrilled and moved by a large-scale story. It’s a perfect summer read.
One of the most famous examples of epic fantasy is Stephen King’s The Stand, a classic work of epic fantasy that does not qualify as high fantasy, as it takes place in our own world. (The original 1994 miniseries premiered exactly thirty years ago, and it still holds up!) Other epic fantasy works include C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia series and Steven Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen.
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Epic High Fantasy: A Match Made In Heaven?
So while we’ve established the definitions for both high fantasy and epic fantasy, you may have noticed that these definitions are not mutually exclusive. In fact, many works fall into both genres. This happens so frequently that high fantasy and epic fantasy have frequently been used interchangeably, although their definitions are not synonymous.
Nonetheless, many of the most iconic works of high fantasy also fall under the umbrella of high fantasy. And vice versa. The important difference to note is the setting: if a novel is set in a totally different universe, it is a high fantasy story. If, on the other hand, a long, generation-spanning story is set in our universe, even if that universe is slightly altered by the presence of magical beings, then it is an epic fantasy.
But if a novel is both set in an entirely different universe and spans the course of years with an expansive cast of characters, then it is a work of epic high fantasy.
Whew! Learning magic spells almost seems easy compared to this…
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Final Thoughts
Although epic fantasy and high fantasy are often overlapping genres, there are subtle differences between the two. Stories set in entirely different worlds than our own are high fantasy and stories with a massive scale are epic fantasy. Many of the best works of each genre belong to the other as well, such as The Lord Of The Rings and Game of Thrones.
Happy reading!
