I saw this idea online for a “10 Reasons Why I Love X”
Here are the 10 reasons why I love reading fantasy novels.
1. Worlds and Settings:
Fantasy stories happen in the most personal of places (our minds!). These incredible worlds inspire deep thought and vivid imagination due to each individuals’ interpretation of the author’s description. Unique to each reader frequently producing conversation pieces among their ilk. Steven Erikson is one of the premiere masters of this art. His worlds are all-encompassing
2. Rulers, Kings and Monarchies:
The governing heads and rulers found in fantasy novels are a personality each their own from a diversified lot. Certain ones are iron-hard in their rulings and governing of their kingdoms’ citizens. Others are firm but fair, preferring sound decisions with compassion, for the subjects of their nation. While many choose to rule maliciously out of pure evil intentions, only to gain fear and ultimate submission from the population they dictate, by carrying out harsh and unjust punishments to strengthen their authority. Despite the methods they employ to maintain rule, it remains an integral part of any great story.
3. Characters:
The plethora of characters found in a single fantasy novel is mind-boggling. The thought, time and energy put forth into any one of them is truly incredible to me. I speak not from experience, only from reverence for authors who pen them to life, bringing forth tangible entities felt by the fans who enjoy their company during the span of a story. Attachment to a particular character is such an interpersonal part of reading for me.
4. Treasures:
Chests of gold, hordes of jewels and ancient powerful relics. Magic armor radiating power. Books, scrolls and tomes containing founts of knowledge and wisdom. The treasures often incorporated in works of fantasy drive the story and its participants to unreachable heights. Drawing on characters mettle, to propel them through trying and potentially disastrous situations, with the promise of wealth and fame. Epic treasures ensure a fantasy story progresses by providing that burning desire to attain the forbidden and unattainable.
5. Weapons:
A wizard’s staff with the power to cast bolts of ice, damaging victims beyond reparation. Ancient swords handed down through generations of Knights, deeply ingrained with nobility and honor. Needle-tipped daggers of silver, pricking the life out of the unwary from the shadows, wielded by rogues driven by singular beneficial motives. Legendary crafted longbows, placing shafts accurately, able to pierce the toughest hide doublet or hammered bronze heavy armor. Without a doubt, the vast array of weapons found in fantasy stories is among the most awe-inspiring. I enjoy reading descriptions of weapons and their properties.
6. Plot(s):
Crafting an interesting plot is certainly a talent to behold in my opinion. Incorporating multiple plots operating in parallel to one another, interwoven to impact the story as a whole, is a true gift to the reader chasing the tale as it unfolds. I have read many fantasy novels that I pictured a poster board covered in names, agendas, and timelines. Bracketed off in sections with character names held within, each assigned to different plots. Visited numerous times by the creator throughout a process that must be handled delicately to avoid unforeseen clashes in the timeline. This has to be the method for authors who maintain multiple plots within a tale right? Whatever the means, this quality when executed perfectly, makes a story just blossom and thrive. George R.R. Martin and Janny Wurts have captivated me with their multiple plots planted inside the incredible tales they weave.
7. Large Novels:
Larger novels equal more reading. Nothing better than that. Fantasy books are some of the biggest, oftentimes spanning a series. More pages, more fun. What’s not to love.
8. Multiple Sub-genres:
The multitude of sub-genres found within the fantasy flavor is as numerous as the authors who create these vast worlds we find ourselves lost in. With this assortment to choose from, a favorite can easily be found to suit one’s taste. I prefer the high fantasy and sword and sorcery branches of this huge tree of reading pleasure.
9. Conclusions and Endings:
Well-thought stories should have epic endings. Fantasy tales have some of the most memorable in my opinion. Whether I love or detest the ending of a book, I find the greatest treasure in the closing pages, relishing in the author’s individual sense of closure.
10. Magic:
What would a fantasy novel be without magic? Boring for sure. Powerful wizards casting spells of lightning and electricity, while paladins call down the smite of their gods, invokes images beyond compare in our minds. Magic is one of the deal makers for me and effectively a critical part of any fantasy novel. Discovering dissimilar magic systems present in fantasy novels is a high priority for me during my forays across the paper trails of ink and letters. Brandon Sanderson‘s singular magic system found in his Mistborn series solidified me as a die-hard fan of his incredible writing.
My hope is you found my 10 reasons I love reading fantasy novels an interesting read. I would love to hear what your reasons are if you are drawn to these fantastic tales such as I. Thank you for reading my post.