High Fantasy and its Major Subgenres

Great news! The total remodel of bkbass.com is steaming along, and I’m going through my old essays, articles, and musings to completely revise their contents and presentation.

Previously, I had a series of three essays on fantasy literature. They’re getting such an overhaul, though, that there will now be five!

The third of these, High fantasy and its Major Subgenres, is now live on the website. Here’s a quick preview:

If the first things to come to mind when you think of fantasy are treks across unknown realms, sword-swinging heroes, and soaring dragons, you’re probably a fan of this side of the fantasy coin (the other side being low fantasy). Encompassing some of the oldest and most famous examples of fantasy literature, high fantasy takes us on a journey to realms wholly of the imagination, which act as a playground for almost limitless storytelling possibilities. While heroic quests are the mainstay of the genre, everything from teenage romances to murder mysteries to global wars involving the gods themselves can be found under this broad umbrella of fantasy fiction.

Check out the full essay for more!

Warriors Of Understone is back!

After a long hiatus of waiting to be revised, then being revised, the second edition of Warriors of Understone is finally here! Embark on a heroic fantasy that tackles surprisingly deep themes, including class struggle, social mobility, bullying, discrimination, and women’s empowerment. Become immersed in a dwarven kingdom that’s lovingly crafted to bring these fantasy side characters to the center stage and give them a vibrant culture and rich history. Along the way, root for a budding will-they-or-won’t-they romance.

What readers on Goodreads said about Warriors of Understone

“I was immediately immersed into the detailed society and caught up within the caste structure and setting completely. Each character spoke with their own unique voice and pursued a grounded agenda. Their interactions wove seamlessly into a rich tapestry of visceral reality.”

“This book takes you deep into a setting rife with tradition and the stuffy winds of change. The culture is done well and the flavor it is written in is fresh. If you like fantasy at all you will love this book!”

“This book was amazing, and I would recommend it to anyone.”

B.K. Bass proudly presents: Warriors of Understone

The kingdom of Understone is enslaved to tradition and stagnates in isolation.

When an incident in the quarries drags Durgan away from the only life he knows, he becomes entangled in webs of political intrigue, domestic turmoil, and romance.

He must struggle to overcome his common birth and the prejudices of a stagnant society to become one of the warriors of Understone — a sprawling dwarven city deep beneath the mountains, at the heart of a kingdom that has not changed its ways in centuries.

Durgan may overcome opponents with axe and shield, but can he change the values of his people with the same tools?

Genres: Fantasy, High Fantasy, Heroic Fantasy
Tags: Dwarves, Urban, Subterranean, Social Justice, Political Intrigue
Length: Novella (Approx 125 pages)

Find it now on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited!

(Paperback coming soon.)

New Review!

Warriors of Understone has received another review!

M.E. II has rated it 5 stars on Goodreads.

Warriors of Understone is an excellent new novella crafted by the skilled hand of B.K. Bass. I was immediately immersed into the detailed society and caught up within the caste structure and setting completely. Each character spoke with their own unique voice and pursued a grounded agenda. Their interactions wove seamlessly into a rich tapestry of visceral reality.

Everything had a real and immediate feel to it. The story carried me along at a breathless pace, building up to a satisfying finale that I wouldn’t dare spoil for you. I devoured the entire work in one sitting, unable to put it down until I was finished. That, more than anything will tell you how deeply I was caught up in the tale. I was impressed by the detail of character and the depth of setting that Mr. Bass put into so few pages. It’s rare for me to encounter a novella that has such a solidly epic feel. I had the same, deep satisfaction at the end as if it had been written as a multi-book series.

B.K. Bass is a master world crafter and this work shows his skills at their best.

Find out more about Warriors of Understone HERE.

The Burning Sands: Shem

Shem is a bustling trade port at the mouth of the Azure river, the only major river on the continent of Erimos. It is supplied with an abundance of fresh water, boasts massive amounts of fertile farmland, and is the heart of all trade in Erimos.

Because of the desirability of the land that it controls, the city-state of Shem must constantly be on alert against potential rivals. The military power of Shem is unrivaled on the continent, mostly thanks to an extensive reliance on slave soldiers to bolster their ranks. Slave labor, also, is the backbone of their economy. Slaves work the marshland farms around the mouth of the river and provide a food surplus that allows the city-state to trade these essential resources for boundless wealth.

All of the other city-states on the peninsula trade with Shem, but invariably there are conflicts related to the valuation of the Shemmite commodities. These conflicts often lead to war, but the military power of Shem has never before been defeated.

The government itself is lead by a Sultan, and this title is passed on via heredity. There is also a council of viziers from among the most wealthy merchant houses. The city-state is ruled with a heavy hand, and every grain and coin is counted by a merciless bureaucracy. Violation of the law, especially theft from the state, can be met with harsh punishments. It is not uncommon to see the corpses of criminals crucified along the roads leading into and out of the city itself.

The city-state also controls land along the river all of the way to its source at the Pasha Oasis, the largest oasis on the peninsula. A sizable town has grown around the oasis, called Maresh. It is large enough to be considered a city, itself. The main purpose of the settlement is to support the garrison that guards the oasis and patrols the eastern reach of the city-state’s holdings.

This is for an upcoming desert-themed sword and sorcery project that I am working on.

Stay tuned for more!

The Fantasy Genre: Part 2

The second part of our series exploring the fantasy genre is now available!

In this second section of a three-part journey, I’ll be examining each of the major sub-genres of fantasy more closely. In the first part, we looked at the history and evolution of the fantasy genre as a whole. This time, we will be focusing more on the content and differences of the four major sub-genres of fantasy literature. In the third part, we will explore the more niche sub-genres and sub-sub-genres that tackle very specific themes.

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