What is the difference between High Fantasy and Urban Fantasy?

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. It is a genre that often involves magic, mythical creatures, and imaginary worlds. Two popular sub-genres of fantasy are high fantasy and urban fantasy.

High Fantasy:

High fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy that takes place in an entirely imaginary world that is different from our own. This world often has its own rules, laws, and history. High fantasy is characterized by epic storylines, well-defined magical systems, and large casts of characters. Examples of high fantasy include J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire.

Urban Fantasy:

Urban fantasy, on the other hand, takes place in our own world but with supernatural elements added to it. It often involves mythical creatures, magic, and other supernatural elements. Urban fantasy is characterized by a strong sense of place and is often set in cities or other urban environments. Examples of urban fantasy include Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series and Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files.

So, while high fantasy takes place in a completely imaginary world, urban fantasy takes place in our own world but with added supernatural elements. Both sub-genres have their own unique characteristics and offer readers a different type of reading experience.

High fantasy and urban fantasy are both subgenres of fantasy fiction, but they have some key differences.

• Setting: High fantasy is typically set in a completely fictional world, while urban fantasy is set in the real world, often in a major city.
• Characters: High fantasy characters are often larger-than-life heroes or villains, while urban fantasy characters are more likely to be ordinary people who are drawn into a world of magic and the supernatural.
• Plot: High fantasy plots often involve epic quests and battles between good and evil, while urban fantasy plots are more likely to be character-driven and focus on the everyday lives of the characters.
• Themes: High fantasy often explores themes of good versus evil, destiny, and the power of friendship, while urban fantasy often explores themes of identity, the supernatural, and the dark side of human nature.

Some examples of high fantasy novels include "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis, and "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin. Some examples of urban fantasy novels include "Sookie Stackhouse" series by Charlaine Harris, "The Dresden Files" series by Jim Butcher, and "The Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter" series by Laurell K. Hamilton.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which genre you prefer is to read some examples of both and see which one you enjoy more.