I am a big fan of fantasy. I’ve loved it since I was a little kid. One thing that’s always confused me, though, is that when some people refer to fantasy, they seem to get it mixed up with Sci Fi. Recently, I heard two people describe “fantasy.” One person thought a story about aliens attacking a futuristic city was fantasy. Another person referenced a story of aliens attacking a western saloon. Those aren’t fantasy. Those are science fiction.
Fantasy is all about magic, swords, knights, princesses, and anything else medieval. Sci Fi is about space and futuristic technology. I’m sure you’re sitting there, wondering what the big deal is, since both fantasy and science fiction aren’t real, it’s fiction. To me, there is a difference. And that difference is that Sci Fi books rarely hold my attention. I tried to read one Sci Fi book, but the author dropped me off in the middle of the action, described everything in advanced technological terms I didn’t understand, and expected me to care that these two characters I knew nothing about just got engaged. I was completely lost. And unfortunately, it happens all the time when I pick up a Sci Fi book.
It’s much easier for me to understand fantasy. It doesn’t matter if it’s high fantasy, set solely in a fantasy world, or urban fantasy, where we see elements of the real world. They’re usually straight forward plots, where the hero gains magical powers and must save the day from the villain. It’s a cliche at this point, but I don’t care. I love getting to meet the main characters and finding out how their magic system works and seeing their journey to defeat the bad guy.
Fantasy and Science Fiction are always grouped together, but they are as different as night from day. It is possible to combine the two genres, but mostly it seems like authors stick to one over the other. I know which one I prefer.