Lesson 4: Other Sub-genres of Fantasy
Authors and Books of Historical Fantasy
There are many books of Historical Fantasy written by talented authors. These authors put their knowledge of history to bring the past to life with vivid images of magic and giving a new perspective to historical events.
One author of this sub-genre is Judith Tarr. She writes books set in several different historical periods, using her knowledge of history to tell realistic tales touched by magic. Lord of the Two Lands is set in Egypt during Alexander the Great’s conquest. The book is a strong tale with minimum fantasy elements, but gives the reader a strong vision of Egypt and her characters. Any of her books are good examples of Historical Fantasy.
Some authors take history and create an alternate reality of our world. Katherine Kurtz does this with her Deryni books. The books take place in an alternate Britain ruled by kings and a Christian-like Church. Magic exists and is part of a race of people called the Deryni. Humans try to repress or slaughter the Deryni because of their powers. These books are full of court intrigue, following some of the royal machinations of real Britain's’s past. Deryni Rising is the first book of a long sequence.
Another author of Historical Fantasy is Morgan Llywelyn. Her books are set in the time of Celtic Ireland and Europe. She balances stories from history with fantasy elements to bring the times of Druids and Irish heroes alive. Lion of Ireland is the story of Brian Boru the High King of Ireland with supernatural intrusions. All of her books span the history of the Celts told in a realistic style.
Sarah Isidore is a newer writer. She combined the history of the Celts with Egyptian mythology for her Daughters of Bast trilogy. The books trace European history from Caesar's’s conquest of the Celts to France’s King Charles’s time through the lives of three priestesses of Bast. Each book has a strong woman character, powerful in magic and aided by a cat. Isidore tells the stories in clear prose about the struggle between pagans and Christians. The Hidden Land is the first book of the trilogy.
Reading straight history texts can be dry and time-consuming. Historical Fantasy adds a touch of magic to history to give it a sense of wonder, but the reader must be careful to distinguish between fact and fantasy. Authors of this sub-genre do a lot of research and write entertaining books that do just that.
