Of Fantasy Novels and Medieval Times....
- Zombie_Inc
- Pixie
- Posts: 128
- Joined: 06 Jan 2006
- Location: Israel
Of Fantasy Novels and Medieval Times....
I was wondering last night why all fantasy books take place in a medieval setting. I haven't seen a fantasy book that incorporates magic in a modern or even futuristic setting, except for the Amber series maybe, but that one goes back and forth all the time...
Have any of you heard of such books? Do you think they could be good?
Have any of you heard of such books? Do you think they could be good?
Otherland by Tad Williams takes place in the near future, although magic there is of the software kind.
There are quite a lot of series that supposedly occur after passing of some high technology society. Due to some holocaust, civilisation has reverted back to some medieval setting
The Deathgate Cycle for example.
When a book is situated in the future it is easily classified as science fiction instead of fantasy
There are quite a lot of series that supposedly occur after passing of some high technology society. Due to some holocaust, civilisation has reverted back to some medieval setting
The Deathgate Cycle for example.
When a book is situated in the future it is easily classified as science fiction instead of fantasy
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
There's an awesome book called "On Stranger Tides" by Tim Powers that uses magic and adventure in the Carribeans of the 17th century. Highly recommended !
There are also "les Futurs Mystères de Paris" (the Future Mysteries of Paris) by Roland C. Wagner, set in a cyberpunk-with-magic universe (a bit like Shadowrun, but more humourous and light-hearted). Unfortunately, I believe it is only available in French ^^ "La saison de la sorcière" (The season of the witch) is also a good read from RCW.
There are also "les Futurs Mystères de Paris" (the Future Mysteries of Paris) by Roland C. Wagner, set in a cyberpunk-with-magic universe (a bit like Shadowrun, but more humourous and light-hearted). Unfortunately, I believe it is only available in French ^^ "La saison de la sorcière" (The season of the witch) is also a good read from RCW.
- DaemianLucifer
- Round Table Hero
- Posts: 11282
- Joined: 06 Jan 2006
- Location: City 17
Try artemis fowl.Though its a bit of a childrens book,it has some very good interpretetaions of dwarves,goblins,leprechauns,etc.And it is set in the present.
Also,in the sword of shanara(is this how its called?),there is a scene where they pass through an ancient metalic city,and they fight a giant robotic snake.
And the pratchets gnome trilogy(I think thats how its called.The one where those little guys drive a truck in the first book)can be considered fantasy.Or the good omens(I dont know if thats the original title)talks about the devil,prince of darkness,and the four riders of the apocalypse.
Also,in the sword of shanara(is this how its called?),there is a scene where they pass through an ancient metalic city,and they fight a giant robotic snake.
And the pratchets gnome trilogy(I think thats how its called.The one where those little guys drive a truck in the first book)can be considered fantasy.Or the good omens(I dont know if thats the original title)talks about the devil,prince of darkness,and the four riders of the apocalypse.
Re: Of Fantasy Novels and Medieval Times....
Does Harry Potter count...?Zombie_Inc wrote:I was wondering last night why all fantasy books take place in a medieval setting. I haven't seen a fantasy book that incorporates magic in a modern or even futuristic setting, except for the Amber series maybe, but that one goes back and forth all the time...
Have any of you heard of such books? Do you think they could be good?
Besides that I can't think of any. I've been trying to write a story with such setting though. Magic, cyborgs and all that.
I suppose it's like Kalah say: medieval-like setting usually fits.
Hey, I know where we are! We're in that place where I didn't know where we were before!
- HodgePodge
- Round Table Knight
- Posts: 3530
- Joined: 06 Jan 2006
Re: Of Fantasy Novels and Medieval Times....
Mostly fantasy books are set in "Medieval" times because modern technology and scientific discovery has all but squashed the feeling of mystery, magic & myth. I perfer my stories set in what you describe as "Medieval" because warfare, magic, chivilary, dragons, unicorns, faeries, goblins, kings, queens, knights, ladies, wizards, witches, etc. don't go very well in a modern or futuristic setting.Zombie_Inc wrote:I was wondering last night why all fantasy books take place in a medieval setting. I haven't seen a fantasy book that incorporates magic in a modern or even futuristic setting, except for the Amber series maybe, but that one goes back and forth all the time ...
Have any of you heard of such books? Do you think they could be good?
If you want modern & futuristic then you probably enjoy science-fiction more than fantasy. Nevertheless, I have listed a few books which I recommend for pleasurable fantasy genre reading. Be warned though, most of the stories in this series are set in a long-ago times past.
I've borrowed from my local library a series of "adult" fairy tales:
- Snow White, Blood Red
Black Thorn, White Rose
Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears
Black Swan, White Raven
- Zombie_Inc
- Pixie
- Posts: 128
- Joined: 06 Jan 2006
- Location: Israel
Thanks for all the recomendations!
Actually I don't like SciFi that much, I just thought a setting that introduces magic to a 20th century like setting could be interesting...
I think what annoys me the most about SciFi is that they always entire planets with the same climat, and that just doesn't make any sense...
Actually I don't like SciFi that much, I just thought a setting that introduces magic to a 20th century like setting could be interesting...
I think what annoys me the most about SciFi is that they always entire planets with the same climat, and that just doesn't make any sense...
I'm usually not that fond of scifi either; but you might want to try the 'Night's Dawn' trilogy by Peter F Hamilton. It involves a dark kind of magic in a rather frightening setting.Zombie_Inc wrote:Thanks for all the recomendations!
Actually I don't like SciFi that much, I just thought a setting that introduces magic to a 20th century like setting could be interesting...
I think what annoys me the most about SciFi is that they always entire planets with the same climat, and that just doesn't make any sense...
Wow. You're actually writing a story? That's great. I'm interested in how that will turn out.Kalah wrote:The mediaeval setting fits in well with the plots. Swordfighting, horses, castles, magic (belief in) etc. The one I'm writing also takes place in this setting, though I'm going to bring in a couple of cannon.
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
- DaemianLucifer
- Round Table Hero
- Posts: 11282
- Joined: 06 Jan 2006
- Location: City 17
A magic in our world indeed can be interesting.Try a wack at shadowrun PnP.Its loads of fun,and easy to customize.Zombie_Inc wrote:Thanks for all the recomendations!
Actually I don't like SciFi that much, I just thought a setting that introduces magic to a 20th century like setting could be interesting...
I think what annoys me the most about SciFi is that they always entire planets with the same climat, and that just doesn't make any sense...
As for the SF planets argument,its not true.Depends on who writes it.If its a clark,or asimov,you wont see such sensless things.Asimovs Nightfall,for example,is a planet with 6 suns,where there is only a single eclipse in every 1000 or so years,and the civilisation sorts of resets at that moment.Quite briliant.In nemesis,he talks about a sentient planet.Clark,on the other hand,mostly uses the solar system,and aproaches it with a scientific eye.So you wont see the same gravity on europe,io,moon and earth.
extremely recommended, read these and you wont be disapointed:
Pandora's Star
Judas Unchained
by Peter F. Hamilton. they are a series, dont know the name of it. in this series, there are hundreds (i think 600) planets belonging to the Commonwealth, each with its own gravity and different moons and suns and wildlife and plantlife, but nothing extreme (why live in exptreme conditions when you can go and find some other more favorable planet to live on?). its not exactly fantasy, but there are elves (or Sylfan). they happen to be an alien lifeform and resemble Tolkein elves in apperance so thats what they are called that. great read, everything is very realistic (or atleast explained scientificaly so its believable) and very interesting. takes place in the late 24th century. reminds you of the Foundation series.
Pandora's Star
Judas Unchained
by Peter F. Hamilton. they are a series, dont know the name of it. in this series, there are hundreds (i think 600) planets belonging to the Commonwealth, each with its own gravity and different moons and suns and wildlife and plantlife, but nothing extreme (why live in exptreme conditions when you can go and find some other more favorable planet to live on?). its not exactly fantasy, but there are elves (or Sylfan). they happen to be an alien lifeform and resemble Tolkein elves in apperance so thats what they are called that. great read, everything is very realistic (or atleast explained scientificaly so its believable) and very interesting. takes place in the late 24th century. reminds you of the Foundation series.
- DaemianLucifer
- Round Table Hero
- Posts: 11282
- Joined: 06 Jan 2006
- Location: City 17
- Zombie_Inc
- Pixie
- Posts: 128
- Joined: 06 Jan 2006
- Location: Israel
-
- Round Table Hero
- Posts: 1525
- Joined: 05 Jul 2006
Kalah wrote:The mediaeval setting fits in well with the plots. Swordfighting, horses, castles, magic (belief in) etc. The one I'm writing also takes place in this setting, though I'm going to bring in a couple of cannon.
Wow, I didn't know there were other story writers around here.fenris wrote:I've been trying to write a story with such setting though. Magic, cyborgs and all that.
Last edited by mr.hackcrag on 08 Aug 2006, 01:26, edited 1 time in total.
IMHO, the Future Mysteries series is more science fiction than fantasy — no magic, but genetics, linguistics, quantum physics and Jung's collective inconscious used in a rational and demented way.Marzhin wrote:There are also "les Futurs Mystères de Paris" (the Future Mysteries of Paris) by Roland C. Wagner, set in a cyberpunk-with-magic universe (a bit like Shadowrun, but more humourous and light-hearted). Unfortunately, I believe it is only available in French ^^ "La saison de la sorcière" (The season of the witch) is also a good read from RCW.
But you're right for Season Of The Witch (no article: I think the title comes from Donovan's famous song) with its 21st Century cyberpunk sorcery and witchcraft terrorism.
No English publication is scheduled but you can take a look at the cover here.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Ahrefs [Bot], Semrush [Bot] and 24 guests