by Jessie Tobias

Created on: October 13, 2009   Last Updated: October 14, 2009

Those who think the science-fiction/fantasy scene has become stagnant aren't looking hard enough at the genre. New tales of magic and technology continue to be unique and innovativeas long as you're reading the right ones. Today's market is glutted with urban fantasies and paranormal romances of questionable quality, but the real gems are still out there, and they're worth waiting for.

Contemporary fantasy novels have embraced the idea of magic in today's world. Urban fantasies and paranormal romances have become very popular, and stories of werewolves in the suburbs, wizard detectives, etc, have given hip new twists to the idea that magic is out there. However, some authors' twists are more hip than others, and perhaps this has led to the idea that the genre has become stagnant. I disagree. There are as many new, quality stories coming from the sci-fi/fantasy corner as everthey're just harder to find.

The rarity of truly exceptional science-fiction or fantasy novels is in part because the genre has become more popular in recent years. The huge success of novels like Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake books have attracted more readers to the genre, opening up a demand for more stories like these. The result is that there are many, many more authors trying to make names for themselves writing science-fiction and fantasy today than there were just a few years ago. Even some established historical romance writers have ridden the wave over to the fantasy shelves, trying to capitalize on the popularity of the paranormal.

Authors aren't the only ones trying to take advantage of the witch, werewolf, and vampire craze. Publishers, too, are pushing urban fantasies and paranormal romances onto shelves, and in their hurry to sell, sell, sell, the elements of plot and character often suffer. As a result, one urban fantasy comes to read much like the next. The success of novels like theseand they are succeeding, don't ask me howdon't showcase the possibilities of the science-fiction/fantasy genre, or encourage authors to experiment with new styles and topics of writing. Die-hard fans of high fantasy or science-fiction don't need to hang up their reading glasses, though. Amid the genre-jumping confusion, there are bright sparks of hope.

Every so often I discover a writer like Naomi Novik, creator of the wonderful Temeraire series, or Patrick Rothfuss, who is writing the tremendously promising Kingkiller Chronicles. New writers like these are quickly added to my list of sci-fi/fantasy all-stars, and give me confidence that I will continue to discover new authors and stories, with their own unique magical twists and plotlines, different advances in technology, and ideas for the future.

Of all the areas of fiction, fantasy is the least likely to stagnate. The genre is simply too broad, with possibilities as endless and as varied as the imagination can . . . well, imagine. The first book you pick up off the science-fiction/fantasy shelves might be something you've read beforeor close enough to it to make no difference. But keep looking, and have faith in the endless creativity of the human mind! The truly exceptional and innovative sci-fi/fantasy writers of today are well-worth the time and the effort it will take to find them.

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