High fantasies are some of my favorite genres.
But there's always been things that I absolutely hated about them: They always take place in worlds in which seem to be some kind of dark age, medieval type things. But with elves & other creatures.
WHY?
Nowhere in that definition does it say that these invented worlds must be medieval type things, where women are treated like horse shite. Like what is this?
Okay, okay. So let's take some examples before I get feminist on all of you:
Let's take Alanna by Tamora Pierce, who herself is probably a queen of epic fantasy. So I've only read the second book (I didn't realize it was a series and accidentally bought the second). Anyway the main character wants to be a Knight (RED FLAG. Okay, so I love the kind of monarchies, knights, codes of chivalry type things, so this aspect did not bother me), but then the girl is required to dress as a man.
Because women can't be knights. So this is where the problem lies. Okay, okay, so in the end she becomes Sir Alanna, but still. The whole premise was very Mulan. But Alanna ain't beatin' no Huns, and she doesn't live in Ancient China. Or almost Ancient China, I'm very confused on the time period of Mulan.
If that doesn't convince you, then think about The Lord of the Rings that is like the ultimate high fantasy, firstly I don't even think there was a female character (never read the books) aside from Aragorn's love interest. And the whole thing takes place in a very ancient seeming culture.
So yeah, maybe that's what some people like...but in the modern age is it really so difficult to believe that humans who CAN DO MAGIC would be so primal? I mean c'mon.
Okay so maybe those two came from very old times where technology and all that stuff wasn't as prominent in society but let's take a modern HF, a personal favorite: The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
Traditional Fantasy. The main characters are Han and Raisa. Han is possibly one of the coolest male characters ever. I LOVE him. He's totally badass, and one heck of a main character.
But let's look at Raisa, in many ways she is the strong female protagonist, she just wants to be free and to be a queen that will be remembered in generations to come. Yet, her main conflict lies in who she will marry.
I mean the book itself is very, very good. I highly recommend it.
But, and I understand the medieval concept is what most people love about HF's, I still think we can break these stereotypes.
Okay, so maybe the main problem I have is the fact that the rights of women are so constricted and is probably the reason I had a feminist movement happen in WT, preceding the plot of the story:
When I write HF, which as of now (aside from the Untitled Craptastic first book I ever wrote), is The Wyvern's Tale, I try to make the plots and problems transcend gender or age.
Okay so Solumagus isn't super advanced. I mean, Iyanna gets put into a wagon at the very beginning. And she's wearing a pretty pink dress. But then you move onto Sage, who is most definitely wearing pants, has a drunk mother, and is moving through underground tunnels that are built for air raids (the first four chapters take place during an air raid. Where the Resistance is bombing the countryside).
so it's not completely medieval but I don't confine it to a certain time period or model it after medieval Europe.
That's all I can say about High Fantasy. The reason it appeals to some, and doesn't to others, is because of the setting, but it's YOUR world.
If you want to go write an HF that takes place in a world that has cars or is even more advanced than we are, and whatever, GO FOR IT.
You don't have to follow this archetype past writers have set.
But at the same time, you don't have to break it.
Recommended HF books:
Paladin by Sally Slater
The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Keeper of Souls by Musiq4lyf
The Guardians of Mustikos by Ch4rmed
& if you're interested in seeing how hypocritical I am:
The Wyvern's Tale
(clicking on titles leads to a link of the story, if on Wattpad, or synopsis/info if published)
So I'd love to hear what you think on this topic. Do you agree or disagree? Also, you can recommend some of your own HF's. I love reading 'em. So if you have any recommendations, pray tell.
But there's always been things that I absolutely hated about them: They always take place in worlds in which seem to be some kind of dark age, medieval type things. But with elves & other creatures.
WHY?
According to wikipidea: High fantasy (also referred to as epic fantasy) is a sub-genre of fantasy fiction, defined either by its taking place in an imaginary world distinct from our own or by the epic stature of its characters, themes and plot.
Nowhere in that definition does it say that these invented worlds must be medieval type things, where women are treated like horse shite. Like what is this?
Okay, okay. So let's take some examples before I get feminist on all of you:
Let's take Alanna by Tamora Pierce, who herself is probably a queen of epic fantasy. So I've only read the second book (I didn't realize it was a series and accidentally bought the second). Anyway the main character wants to be a Knight (RED FLAG. Okay, so I love the kind of monarchies, knights, codes of chivalry type things, so this aspect did not bother me), but then the girl is required to dress as a man.
Because women can't be knights. So this is where the problem lies. Okay, okay, so in the end she becomes Sir Alanna, but still. The whole premise was very Mulan. But Alanna ain't beatin' no Huns, and she doesn't live in Ancient China. Or almost Ancient China, I'm very confused on the time period of Mulan.
If that doesn't convince you, then think about The Lord of the Rings that is like the ultimate high fantasy, firstly I don't even think there was a female character (never read the books) aside from Aragorn's love interest. And the whole thing takes place in a very ancient seeming culture.
So yeah, maybe that's what some people like...but in the modern age is it really so difficult to believe that humans who CAN DO MAGIC would be so primal? I mean c'mon.
Okay so maybe those two came from very old times where technology and all that stuff wasn't as prominent in society but let's take a modern HF, a personal favorite: The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
On her website she states that The Seven Realms Series is set in a traditional fantasy world of medieval technology, swordplay, castles and keeps.
Traditional Fantasy. The main characters are Han and Raisa. Han is possibly one of the coolest male characters ever. I LOVE him. He's totally badass, and one heck of a main character.
But let's look at Raisa, in many ways she is the strong female protagonist, she just wants to be free and to be a queen that will be remembered in generations to come. Yet, her main conflict lies in who she will marry.
I mean the book itself is very, very good. I highly recommend it.
But, and I understand the medieval concept is what most people love about HF's, I still think we can break these stereotypes.
Okay, so maybe the main problem I have is the fact that the rights of women are so constricted and is probably the reason I had a feminist movement happen in WT, preceding the plot of the story:
After the Movement of Virtuous Woman, or the Mob of Ex-Wives and Whores as a few men—mostly drunks—had dubbed it, there was no more of the arranged marriage nonsense. Men and women fell in love instead of being trapped into it. Furthermore, women held jobs that 10 years ago they would have been arrested for attempting. Many men still muttered about this, having grown up in a different Solumagus, but said nothing. No one wanted face the wrath of a Virtuous.So yeah. As a feminist, or in Solumagus I'd be a Virtuous, I totally hate that the central plots lie in struggles that are very women. Because you can't replace Raisa with a man. Or I guess you could, but it would be a very different outcome. And the whole premise of Alanna is that she is a woman that wants to be a knight. If she were actually Alan like she pretended, there wouldn't be much of a plot. I mean I know they get past the whole female knight thing after the second book (like I said, never read on).
When I write HF, which as of now (aside from the Untitled Craptastic first book I ever wrote), is The Wyvern's Tale, I try to make the plots and problems transcend gender or age.
Okay so Solumagus isn't super advanced. I mean, Iyanna gets put into a wagon at the very beginning. And she's wearing a pretty pink dress. But then you move onto Sage, who is most definitely wearing pants, has a drunk mother, and is moving through underground tunnels that are built for air raids (the first four chapters take place during an air raid. Where the Resistance is bombing the countryside).
so it's not completely medieval but I don't confine it to a certain time period or model it after medieval Europe.
That's all I can say about High Fantasy. The reason it appeals to some, and doesn't to others, is because of the setting, but it's YOUR world.
If you want to go write an HF that takes place in a world that has cars or is even more advanced than we are, and whatever, GO FOR IT.
You don't have to follow this archetype past writers have set.
But at the same time, you don't have to break it.
Recommended HF books:
Paladin by Sally Slater
The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Keeper of Souls by Musiq4lyf
The Guardians of Mustikos by Ch4rmed
& if you're interested in seeing how hypocritical I am:
The Wyvern's Tale
(clicking on titles leads to a link of the story, if on Wattpad, or synopsis/info if published)
So I'd love to hear what you think on this topic. Do you agree or disagree? Also, you can recommend some of your own HF's. I love reading 'em. So if you have any recommendations, pray tell.
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