What makes the best fantasy novels? Part two

This week, we’re finishing up our analysis of the components that make the best fantasy novels. In our last blog, we talked about originality and engaging readers. One of the other most important elements in creating a strong fantasy story, whether for books for young adults or beyond, is characterization. Strong characters can make a novel—likewise, weak characters who do not experience an arc and are one-dimensional can kill even the most well-written book. While strong prose is fundamental to the best fantasy novels, we have to relate to and be compelled by the characters themselves, as well as their plight and their actions.

While some areas have a bit more leeway, such as science fiction books with their elaborate and complex settings, concepts and technology, paranormal romance books are a great example of where strong characterization is absolutely mandatory. Strong characters with a clear plight or goal, and those immersed in conflict or suffering, help us to care more deeply about them and their story.

Readers need to relate to the characters, especially in books for young adults. The relationships between all of the characters should be realistic and authentic, and they should experience real problems and conflicts that readers can emphasize with—and may have experienced themselves. They should possess uniqueness and flavor, as well as flaws. No one wants to read about someone who is perfect, since perfection is not a possibility in the real world. Even if you’re reading about characters in paranormal romance novels, the readers should be able to relate. Even if the character discovers that they are a vampire, readers want to understand the humanistic issues they experience, such as love, loss and triumph—more specifically, the ones that mirror the real issues in their own lives.

When magic is prevalent in young adult fantasy novels, it’s important that the system is cohesive and well-thought out. It’s best when magic or supernatural attributes are unique to the book, which can be a very difficult element to execute. There has to be a set of rules that make sense and the magic should not be a crutch that gets the characters out of any predicament in a flash.

While the best fantasy books may be set in an imaginary world that we will never experience, they feature characters that seem just like real people in the real world, who we might be friends with if they lived next door. If magic is involved, then it should be unique and have an authentic feel that serves as a tool rather than a scapegoat.