The best short fantasy novels are good at creating a sense of wonder. They make you believe in the impossible. Take 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' by L. Frank Baum. It takes you to a magical land full of strange creatures and amazing adventures. And they often have a deeper meaning or moral, like many fairy tales which are a form of short fantasy, teaching us about good and evil, courage and friendship.
They often have a concise plot. For example, they can quickly introduce a unique magical world and its rules within a short space.
One characteristic is their ability to convey complex ideas in a concise form. For example, 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman uses a short space to explore themes of female oppression and mental health.
One characteristic is their concise world - building. Since they are short, they need to quickly establish a believable and engaging fantasy world. For example, in 'The Girl Who Drank the Moon', the author quickly sets up a world where a witch lives in a forest and there's a town with its own superstitions. Another characteristic is the focus on a single or a few main characters. In 'Six of Crows', the story mainly revolves around a group of six misfits. Also, short YA fantasy novels often have a clear and fast - paced plot to keep the young readers' attention, like in 'Uprooted' where the main character's journey from her village to the wizard's tower has a clear progression.
Good short fantasy novels often have vivid and unique settings. For example, like in 'The Little Prince', the different planets with strange inhabitants create a very imaginative space. They also usually have interesting characters, whether it's a heroic wizard or a curious child.
One characteristic is a unique fantasy concept. In 'Outlander', the time - travel aspect makes it stand out. The relationships in these novels are also often forbidden or taboo in some way. In 'The Kushiel's Legacy', the main character's unique nature leads to some rather unusual relationships. Another aspect is that the smut elements are integrated with the plot. In 'The Immortals After Dark', the romances between the different species are part of the overarching battle between good and evil in the fantasy world.
The best fantasy novel publishers often have a good eye for unique stories. For example, Tor Books is known for spotting new and exciting concepts in fantasy. They also usually have strong editorial teams. Publishers like Del Rey ensure that the writing is of high quality and the plots are engaging. Another characteristic is a wide distribution network. Publishers such as HarperCollins can get their fantasy novels into many bookstores around the world, making the books more accessible to readers.
One important aspect is the character development. In the best fantasy wuxia novels, the characters grow and change throughout the story. They learn new martial arts skills, gain wisdom, and sometimes even change their worldviews. Also, the plot is usually full of twists and turns. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, there's a new development that keeps you on the edge of your seat, as seen in many classic wuxia novels.
The best romance fantasy novels often have strong world - building. For example, in 'A Court of Mist and Fury', the faerie world is so vividly described that it becomes a character in itself, and the romance between Feyre and Rhysand is enhanced by this rich setting. Another characteristic is complex characters. In 'The Darkest Minds', the characters' different powers and personalities make their romantic relationships more interesting. Also, they usually have a good balance between the romance and the fantasy elements, like in 'Shadow and Bone' where Alina's journey to control her powers and the love triangle she's in are both equally important parts of the story.
Arabian fantasy novels at their best often feature a blend of historical and fictional elements. They draw inspiration from the rich history of the Arabian Peninsula, such as the trade routes, the caliphates, and the different ethnic groups that once thrived there. This gives the stories a sense of authenticity. The stories also tend to have a moral or ethical undertone, teaching lessons about loyalty, courage, and the consequences of greed. The language used can be very poetic, mirroring the beauty of Arabian literature traditions, with vivid descriptions of nature, emotions, and the supernatural.
Well, the best Chinese fantasy novels also often feature complex character relationships. There are not only friendships and romances but also enmities and rivalries. These relationships drive the plot forward. In addition, they usually have a unique power system. Different from Western magic, Chinese fantasy novels may have things like Qi cultivation, magic weapon forging, which is very interesting.