Fantasy Maps

I love browsing the fantasy and science fiction sections of bookshops. One of the first things I look at when I leaf through a fantasy book is the map. As much as it irks me to say it, the map (or lack thereof) has a big impact on my initial impression of the book. It really shouldn’t. There are plenty of good books with no maps, and books with great maps and rather plain stories. I just can’t help it! I have a thing for good fantasy maps. Do you remember when you first read The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings and you looked at one of Tolkien’s amazingly detailed maps? A great moment. It’s the first inkling you get that this world he has created has real depth and history to it.

Has Fantasy Gotten Better?

Today, Mr NW gives his opinion on the changes in fantasy writing styles over the years. You can find the previous instalment, where Mr NW discusses the “coolness” of science fiction here. 

Fantasy used to be given a bad rap for many reasons. People would say it lacked interesting characters or character development, that it lacked strong female leads, that there were far too many uses of magic and old dudes as solutions and deus ex machina. As much as it hurts me to say, these people were often right – at least when it comes to old fashioned fantasy. People often say that modern fantasy is better – but is it?