Cozy fantasy has been launched into unexpected popularity recently, arguably first by the success of the TikTok viral Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, and a following spate of popular titles (such as The House in the Cerulean Sea, A Coup of Tea, Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries, That Time I Got Drunk & Saved … Continue reading What is cozy fantasy?
Gnolls are a species of hyena-like humanoids, sometimes called “beastmen” or “beastkin”, common as a stock species in fantasy. I have a soft spot for these guys - hyenas are cool and I feel like they’re often underutilized. Portrayals tend towards making them one note evil. I have problems with any portrayal of a whole … Continue reading Where did Gnolls come from?
Gaslamp fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that combines elements of Gothic horror, urban fantasy and historical fiction. Technically, that is true, but it doesn't paint a useful picture of what gaslamp fantasy is. To be more specific, Gaslamp books usually take place in settings inspired by the Victorian and Edwardian period, especially the United … Continue reading What is gaslamp fantasy?