Five Reasons Why Fantasy is My Favorite Genre

I honestly don't remember a time when I didn't love fantasy. Maybe it was the magic of a certain mouse conglomerate. Maybe it was reading my sister's massive Grimm's Fairy Tales collection. It could even have originated through my love of movies like Star Wars (yes, it's a fantasy) and The Princess Bride.

Regardless of the reason, it's no secret that fantasy is my favorite genre of fiction, and here are five reasons why.

1. The Escapism

It's a fact that sometimes...life sucks.

What better way to get over the troubles of the day than by sitting down and escaping into a completely different world than my own?

Is disassociating into a mythic world of magic the healthiest coping mechanism?

Probably not.

But I can certainly think of other, far more harmful coping tactics.

2. The World Building

This ties into my first point about escapism. Where else do you get to explore magical worlds? Or abilities that can bend the laws of physics?

The talent that it takes to create your world with its natural law fascinates me. There are some truly unique worlds out there in fantasy, just waiting to be discovered.

3. The Magic Systems

Fantasy wouldn't be fantasy without magic. Each epic has a unique magic system varying in complexity and depth.

One of my favorite things about the fantasy genre is figuring out the world's magic system.

For example, I'm reading the third book in Maria V. Snyder's Healer trilogy, and I'm fascinated by the plant-centered magic system.

4. The Question Fantasy Answers

I always tell people that ask, that the main difference between sci-fi and fantasy isn't that one is set in a medieval setting and one is in space, it has more to do with the questions that are asked and answered in the story.

Fantasy asks: what is good and evil?

This very question is the reason that Star Wars is a fantasy, even though it is set in space.

Science Fiction, in contrast, likes to ask questions like: What does it mean to exist? A compelling question, for sure, but I love the conflict that comes along with the debate of good vs. evil.

5. The Strong Female Protagonists

Historically speaking, fantasy introduced the concept of incredible, kick-butt female protagonists earlier than almost any other genre of fiction.

As a woman, how can that not be a factor for me?

So there are five reasons why fantasy is my favorite genre. What is your favorite genre? Let me know in the comments below!