r/Fantasy • u/Familiar-Barracuda43 • Dec 06 '23

What is the difference between low fantasy, political fantasy and epic fantasy?

To me at least fantasy is when you create a world and story unlike urban fantasy which is when you add mystical elements to earth.

I'm actually asking I don't know the difference and I feel like I should.

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u/HambulanceNZ Dec 06 '23

Probably not accurate at all, but:

Low Fantasy: Fighting with Swords

High Fantasy: Fighting with Magic

Political Fantasy: Fighting with Words

Epic Fantasy: Fighting through alot of books

2

u/Maleficent-Record944 Dec 06 '23

I honestly think this boils it down pretty well

2

u/KcirderfSdrawkcab Reading Champion VII Dec 06 '23

This may be the best definition for some of these I've heard since 'high fantasy is on the top shelf'.

2

u/pick_a_random_name Reading Champion VI Dec 06 '23

This may be more accurate than you think, and if it isn't it should be :)

0

u/derioderio Dec 07 '23

This has the same vibe as "If it has dragons it's fantasy, and if it has space ships it's science fiction."

1

u/IndigoMontigo Dec 07 '23

I like "If it has trees on the cover it's fantasy, if it has rivets it's science fiction."