For readers, life has never been boring ever since writers chose to pen down tales wandering their creative minds. These tales diverged into plenty of genres. Speaking of which, the genre of historical fantasy was born when elements of ‘historical fiction’ and ‘fantasy’ decided to join forces together.
Thus, book plots emerged where myths, magical creatures, and alternate realities were uniformly mixed and fixed on the mold of reality-based historical grounds. As a highly regarded genre, do you have the slightest idea why historical fantasy books are still calling the shots?
Come along and break down the reasons behind its timelessness with us!
Origin and Growth of Historical Fantasy Books
The popularity of any object — concrete or abstract — cannot be deciphered without understanding where it came from. To get a grip of its growth, it is necessary to trace along the lines of its origin.
History is more or less a blame game.
So, for historical fantasy books, we can put the ‘blame’ of their origin on ancient mythologies and documented historical literature — which exist to date.
As a matter of fact, a hefty portion of the world’s history remains unknown. However, the little history recorded in documents and preserved for ages has helped lay foundational bricks for the development of historical fantasy books.
Popularly known, the Greeks and Romans were obsessed with supernatural, magic, miracles, and mythical gods. The rich elements of their history blended with the figments of their imagination have laid the groundwork for the emergence of this genre.
Similarly, the medieval Europeans surrounded their focus of life and literature on faith, chivalry, chastity, the supernatural, the fight against evil, and the great purpose in life.
The tales encircling ‘King Arthur’ can be a good example. In the 15th century, a contemporary of William Shakespeare — Edmund Spenser — wrote his epic ‘The Faerie Queene.’ Since he was a court poet, all the elements in that poetic masterpiece were an allegorical reflection of historical figures, including his Queen — Elizabeth I (represented by Queene Gloriana).
Tales as fascinating as these originated in the form of poetic works — instead of novels — for the form of novels emerged centuries later, near the 18th century.
However, novels were not the only sensation back then — for the genres of Gothic Literature, along with Romantic Literature, had made its entry among the general public in the 1700’s. This century was rich in terms of boundless imagination and trending supernaturalism. Both genres had become a norm, boosting the growth of historical fantasy.
Treasures Engraved in the Genre
All books under the umbrella of historical fantasy are no less than treasures in the deepest of seabeds. Here are the attributes that make this genre so alluring for treasure-seeking readers:
1. Escape Reality with Familiarity:
By studying history, we gain a sense of familiarity with the past. At the same time, fantasy literature helps us escape from the mundaneness of our everyday life.
So by combining the past, present, and the fantastical — historical fantasy writers are able to deliver a perfect package for the readers. This renders the audience speechless and constantly questioning how the plot will unfold while absorbing familiar features.
2. Build a Better Past with Imagination:
History. is. never. Fair… and most history geeks second that.
‘Things could have been done differently’ is a frequently occurring thought for readers who absorb information critically.
This is where historical fantasy comes in.
Even if actual history hadn’t experienced justice, a reader could always quench the thirst of their curiosity by reading the right kind of historical fantasy book. Not only do these books deliver an engaging experience, but they alter historical events to satisfy one’s imagination.
For instance, the almost-decade-old collective work of Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows, called ‘My Lady Jane’ —altered history, saving the life of the otherwise beheaded Lady Jane and her husband, Lord Dudley.
3. Experience Myths and Supernatural:
This genre typically incorporates mythical and supernatural elements — which means that legends, folklore, and archetypal figures are consistent with the narrative of historical fantasy books.
C.S. Lewis did this three-quarters of a century ago when he penned down the allegorical masterpiece, ‘The Chronicles of Narnia.’ This book depicted the devastating times of WWII and captivated the young audience with the alluring land of Narnia — through nothing but a simple wardrobe door in the ‘Spare-Oom.’
4. Grasp Universal Themes:
In historical fantasy books, profound themes are richly plastered in the crevice of every chapter. The most popular variations of these themes are the blind pursuit of power, the fight between good and evil, and the helplessness of shaking hands with an unwanted fate.
Earlier this year, contemporary historical fantasy writer V.C. Love brilliantly captured the theme of inescapable fate in her blazing work called, ‘The Countess of Stonemason.’ It encapsulates the rebellious journey of Andrea — a free-spirited royal who becomes a prisoner to her own desires.
Present-Day Luster of ‘Historical Fantasy’
This genre offers an immersive experience to the readers. Hence, the wide audience of history geeks and fantasy enthusiasts are able to fully preserve the present-day appeal and luster of a treasure such as historical fantasy.
The recreation of the past with creativity, myths, supernatural, and universal themes truly serves as a fulfilling treat for the audience that demands something new with a touch of familiarity.
The reason behind the timelessness of historical fantasy lies within a sentence:
- ‘Times have changed, but human nature hasn’t.’
- Learn from history and do better.
Adventuring from France to Spain, we recommend you witness how Andrea pushes through the chokehold of dark forces and leaves a legend behind for others to discover.
Grab your copy of ‘The Countess of Stonemason’ now! Available on Amazon.
