Nominated for the BSFA Awards 2017 for non-fiction and cover art! 'This is an essential guide to help readers and writers of fantasy know their grimdark from their urban, dark, epic, high and metaphysical fantasy. International fantasy author A J Dalton explains how each of the sub-genres of fantasy literature is a response to their own social and historical period. Each sub-genre thereby describes a distinct political and philosophical outlook. Fantasy is far more important than many people truly understand!' "Thoughtful, insightful, while sure to prompt debate, and that can only benefit all facets of the fantasy genre." Juliet E. McKenna