What makes the best fantasy novels? Part one

As a genre, fantasy books and movies are ubiquitous. Yet so many of these books seem derivative and trite—what makes the best fantasy novels stand apart from the others? While it may seem like good writing is all it takes, there are actually several elements that are fundamental to creating a strong fantasy element, especially among books for young adults, where fantasy is extremely popular at the moment.

Probably the most important feature of the best fantasy novels is that they are extremely original and unique. Even if an author chooses to feature some of the standard fantasy components such as wizards, fairies and vampires, there can still be a level of originality through twists and turns as well as settings that differentiate themselves from the other books in the genre. If the same story has been done over and over again, no matter how good the writing is, it’s going to be a hard sell among both publishers and readers.

Whether it’s from the uber popular sub-genre of paranormal romance stories or straight science-fiction/fantasy, the innovativeness of the book must be conveyed quickly and easily—in just enough words to fill out the synopsis on the book cover.

Another important element of the best fantasy books is that they must provide an escape from reality and lead you into an imaginary world where you leave your disbelief at the door. These worlds are typically comprised of races and cultures in conflict, with mysterious twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Think along the lines of Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones and books for young adults like our favorite, Save the Pearls Part One Revealing Eden.

There are some exceptions in regards to the actual world itself—examples are often found in the subgenre of paranormal romance books. Ever popular, due to the success of certain vampire series, these books do not necessarily have an imaginary setting as much as they have characters with supernatural powers or paranormal obstacles. These obstacles may block their path to love or, in some instances, save the world or something less lofty like their family and loved ones. The protagonists themselves don’t necessarily have to possess supernatural powers or paranormal attributes; it could be they’re targeted by an antagonist who has them or perhaps they’ve fallen in love with someone who boasts them. Either way, if the plot and characters are strong enough, the scenario itself will lead the reader into a fantastical escape.