Modern fantasy fiction is all about imagining the impossible in our modern world. It could be a story where a hidden portal leads to a magical realm right in the middle of a busy city, or where a teenager discovers they're a descendant of powerful sorcerers in today's digital age.
Modern fantasy and fiction often feature elements that are not part of the real world, such as magic, mythical creatures, and alternate universes. They allow authors to explore complex themes and ideas in a creative and imaginative way.
Modern fantasy fiction often combines elements of traditional fantasy with contemporary settings and issues. It might feature advanced technology or modern social problems within a magical world.
The 1980s fantasy fiction had a huge impact on modern fantasy. In terms of themes, the exploration of good vs. evil in a lot of 1980s works set a precedent. Take 'The Belgariad' for instance. Its detailed magic systems influenced the way modern fantasy authors design their own magic. Moreover, the way 1980s fantasy often had a group of heroes on a quest, like in 'The Riftwar Saga', has been replicated and evolved in modern works. It's also important to note that the popularity of certain sub - genres in the 1980s, like high fantasy, has led to their continued growth and development today.
Well, in modern fantasy fiction, one important thing is the world - building. Authors create these incredible, otherworldly places. There's often a sense of wonder and discovery. Also, there are usually themes of good versus evil. Heroes and villains play significant roles, and their battles, whether physical or moral, drive the story forward. Magic systems are also crucial, which can range from simple to highly complex, dictating how the world functions.
Modern people in fantasy fiction are often portrayed as outsiders. They are used to show the contrast between the real world and the fantasy world. Their modern technology - dependent minds may struggle to adapt to the magic - based systems. They can also be the ones to bridge the gap between different species or factions in the fantasy world, using their unique perspective from the modern world.
Modern fantasy and science fiction have had a huge impact on modern culture. For example, many movies and TV shows are based on these genres. 'Star Wars' has become a cultural phenomenon, influencing fashion, with people wearing Jedi robes and Darth Vader masks. In terms of technology, science fiction has inspired real - life inventions. Concepts like the communicator in 'Star Trek' led to the development of mobile phones.
Many modern fantasy writers look to works like 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' for their use of unique and surreal settings. The way Carroll created a world that defied logic has influenced modern fantasy to be more experimental with world - building. Also, the strange characters in these public domain works have inspired new generations of character creation in modern fantasy. For instance, the idea of a shape - shifting Cheshire Cat has led to the creation of many other strange and magical creatures in modern works.
Pulp fantasy fiction has had a huge influence. It introduced many common fantasy tropes. For example, the idea of the heroic adventurer like Conan influenced later heroes in modern fantasy. It also popularized the use of magic and strange creatures.
80s and 90s fantasy fiction set the foundation for modern fantasy. For example, the complex world - building in works like 'The Wheel of Time' made modern readers expect detailed settings. Also, the character - driven stories in 'A Song of Ice and Fire' influenced modern writers to focus more on character development.