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Let's define fantasy a little bit, shall we? Most people think of the classic JRR Tolkien model of fantasy when they think of a fantasy novel. They think of powerful objects of power, dangerous quests, a great encroaching evil, and heroism in the face of darkness. Most of these novels have the same theme, concept, and at least core influences. JRR Tolkien, David Eddings, Terry Brooks and many others wrote excellent novels using the veins of family, heroism, and identity. These novels are still popular. Simply look at Christopher Paolini sometime. His themes will no doubt strike familiar images to the reader.

This is called High Fantasy, and from the point of a novel, I'm bored with it as a whole. I'm bored of the familiar trappings, the same story replaying out again and again.

Or am I?

Imagine a desert world where a spice controls the destiny of a universe. There a man named Maud'dib becomes a savior to the native people and takes control of the planet. Welcome to Dune, one of the all time great works of science fiction. And one (in my view at least) of the best fantasies.

How about a story about a genius of child going to school, learning about love, magic, heroism and his own worth, all the while losing the very gifts that had defined him as a youth. Pat Rothfuss has created an intriguing world in The Name of the Wind. I can't wait for the sequel.

Or finally, how about a city where art, music and magic go hand in hand. There you can see some of the darkest aspects of humanity, or some of small heroics people do day in and out. Welcome to any book by Charles De Lint.

I could go on and on. I could mention a man in black chasing a wizard, or a boy discovering he's the greatest hero of wizards, but the point I'm getting to is that fantasy can be many forms and take the shape of many different kind of stories. While some things are no doubt similiar in every tale, there are many discernible differences in each story. As well as a unique take on concepts long thought explored.

I find a novel that is well written, has a unique style all its own is a story worth reading. Good fantasy, no matter the trappings does that well. It's the mediocre clones, the paint by the numbers books that seem to follow the great writers that tend to drive away the readers in droves. Much like hollywood, there seems to be a comfort zone in fantasy that needs to challenged. Good writers do that with each page. I'm never bored reading Charles De Lint, Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, JK Rowling, Christopher Stasheff, Frank Herbert, George RR Martin or Patrick Rothfuss. I don't think you would be either. Nor should this list be considered all inclusive. There are many great fantasy writers out there. I think much like the writing, readers need to seek out something different. If they do, they'll find that fantasy is as fantastic as it's always been.

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