Trees in Fantasy – Part Three: Trees as Setting
Steff Humm
So far in our exploration of trees in fantasy we have looked at trees as both symbolism and characters across a range of mythic and modern fantasy tales. We discovered…
magic
Trees in Fantasy – Part Two: Trees as Characters
In the first part of this series we looked at trees as symbolism in fantasy literature. We discussed the role of individual trees in mythologies and creation stories around the…
Fantasy Medicine – Part Two: Pretty as a Bairnwort
B. Pine
Disclaimer: If you stumbled upon this post while looking for medical advice or information, please note that this article was NOT written for this purpose. Please do not take any…
Magic In Fantasy: Alternative Magic Systems
Leo Elijah Cristea
This is the forth article in our series on Magic in Fantasy. To read the earlier articles click the links below. Part One: Introduction Part Two: Real Magic Part Three:…
Kill or Cure: Medicine and Healing in SFF
Humans are fragile creatures. Flesh breaks easily and even the most healthy, brawny and athletic of us fall prey to sickness from time to time. Depending on the severity of…
Snake-Sticks and Cheap Tricks: Magic versus Miracle
Brian Staveley
I think one could be forgiven for confusing magic and miracle. If presented with a list of remarkable achievements – walking on water, splitting the moon in half, turning sticks…
Between Two Extremes: Magic in Modern Fantasy
Jacob Topp-Mugglestone
Magic, by its very definition, is unexplainable – or is it? Today, that’s changed: and the magic of mystery – the Eye of Sauron, the R’hllor of Martin’s ASOIAF –…
Monthly Short Story Winner: Magic
Jennie Ivins
Welcome back to our monthly writing contest winner’s post. This month our contest participants wrote stories about one of the most common themes in fantasy: magic. There were a lot…
The Battle of Science and Magic – Part Two: Nostalgia and the New
Victoria Hooper
In the previous article we looked at the idea that science destroys magic through encouraging disbelief, and how this has influenced fantasy stories involving magic, folklore and fairies. The first…
The Battle of Science and Magic – Part One: Particles and Pixie Dust
For a long time we have separated magic and science, drawing a line between fantasy and science fiction, associating magic with the past – usually a pre-industrial society – and…
Magic In Fantasy – Part Two: Real Magic
This is the second in our Magic In Fantasy series. If you missed part one you can read it here. First off, shall we—cynic, dreamer and scholar alike—agree, for at…
The Magic of Shadows Ops Universe + Contest
Myke Cole
In honor of Myke Cole’s second book release, we are giving away three signed copies of his first book, Control Point! All you have to do is tell us which…