Chat Between Chapters: Subgenre of Fantasy

For this discussion post, we are joining the Fantasy With Friends discussion with Pages Unbound.

This week’s prompt:

Do you have any favorite subgenres of fantasy such as urban fantasy, historical fantasy, etc.?

 

 

 Julie:

I have some thoughts on fantasy. The OG fantasy that was high or epic fantasy is not for me. Too slow. Too much worldbuilding and walking.

For the longest time I was all about Urban Fantasy. I like my plots fast and furious. UF gave that – usually lots of quick plots, a fun collection of characters, and rarely time for a dull moment. Examples of these: Sookie Stackhouse series, Charley Davidson series, Night Huntress series. And so many more. I love to devour these. They’re usually a quick read and fast payoff. Most of the books resolve an issue and maybe set up the next book in the series but you don’t have to read them all in order or rabidly to get a lot out of the experience.

The new subgenre of Romantasy has really gotten under my skin and into my soul lately. I love a good unique magic system. I like my romances full of yearning and complicated back stories. These have tended to be longer books, though, and rely on a long series to tell the full story. So just one book won’t get you there. You have to finish the series to feel you have experienced the whole story – which also gives a sense of accomplishment. That’s a lot of pages (I’m looking at you SJM)!

Sometimes I’m in the mood for a cozy fantasy. I like to call these fantasy lite. There’s not much world building, characters aren’t super complicated. But they have some good crazy times and the ending is happy. Sometimes that’s just what you need. These might not be gut wrenching amazeballs reads that get 5 stars, but they are still fun.

 

Lynn:

Ugh. This one is difficult. Fantasy encompasses a lot!

I, for one, am not a fan of Urban Fantasy in general. Too much same same. Even from author to author. I’m also not into shifter books, and consider these to be part of urban fantasy.

I did spend a lot of my formative years reading epic\high fantasy. I can still get behind those books. But that first one better knock my socks off. Or I’m out. I’m not committing to all those pages without enjoying the books.

Let’s talk about Sci Fi \ Fantasy. That fits in here, I think. This is a genre I can get into. Some time travel. Some alternative history. Some multi-verse. All super fun. And not too repetitive.

I loathe the term Romantasy. It makes me roll my eyes. Every freaking time. But I do love those books. I can get behind dragons, swordfighting, enemies to lovers, sarcasm. I enjoy all the world-building in these books, like those high fantasy novels. The characters shine. But I also find these start to get repetitive, with similar themes. And how many shadow-wielder books can we read?

Overall, I want an imaginative, well-written book. If that falls into fantasy, all the better.

 

 

What about you?

 

 

We are also linking up our discussion posts with the 2026 Book Blog Discussion Challenge hosted by Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight and co-hosted by us!

Subscribe to Chapter Break posts.