As a reader, what do you like or dislike about dark fantasy?

[Eldoria]

1. Do you like dark fantasy?
2. What do you like and/ or dislike about dark fantasy?
3. As a reader, what do you expect from dark fantasy?

We'd love to hear your honest opinions. Thank you.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

I like dark fantasy. I dislike that every author, there are 3-5 exceptions and I'm not exaggerating here, don't understand what dark fantasy means. Forget surpassing, nowadays I'm not even expecting people will touch the bar Miura has set.

 

[Cipiteca396]

2 edgy 4 me

 

[Racosharko]

5 out of 5 people are arseholes, and I don't like any of the characters because every single one are terrible human beings and most of the time they are being terrible for no justifiable reason in the lore, or the reason is just that they are arseholes.

 

[Bartun]

I like it. I'm trying my best to write one that can measure up.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Too broad a question - I love some Dark Fantasy, and some of it is utter excrement.

 

[LiteraryWho]

I'm going to interpret this as, "Is there a dark fantasy story you liked well enough?" so I answered yes. That said, I can only think of one story I've read that qualifies, and though I liked it well enough, the biggest advantage it had over WN in terms of quality is that it had a conclusion.

As for my feelings on it as a genre. I think the "7edgy9me" angle can bit a bit cringe. A bit of realism, and focusing on someone in a sucky situation is one thing, but I have no desire to spend hours at a time with a tedious misanthrope.

 

[Empress_Omnii]

Do you like dark fantasy?

Sure, but not especially so.

What do you like and/ or dislike about dark fantasy?

I think horror + magic systems can create some really fun worlds... but I rarely see well written dark fantasy.
I dislike pointlessly edgy stories, which is something I see in a lot of dark fantasy attempts.

As a reader, what do you expect from dark fantasy?

Not much... but I want it to have horror elements and showcase both the good and the dark aspects of fantasy throughout society.

 

[LightHikari]

It's alright. People think dark is something that it's not most of the time. People just dying left and right and other stuff like this is not what makes a good dark fantasy. Dark Fantasy should explore dark themes while not just being cringe edgy stuff.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

1. Do you like dark fantasy?
2. What do you like and/ or dislike about dark fantasy?
3. As a reader, what do you expect from dark fantasy?

We'd love to hear your honest opinions. Thank you.

Ah - only saw the poll and didn't see the other two questions.

1. Answered above - I've seen too many wildly different things categorized as "dark fantasy" to be able to say "yes" or "no" - even within one single line (the Ravenloft novels from TSR back in the nineties), the variety was striking (and the quality WILDLY variable).
,
2. As someone who does a lot of genre mixing, the basic concept of a type of fantasy distinct from the more mainstream stuff, and which often crosses into horror, is appealing. But it IS a very broad term - are the Gor novels Dark Fantasy because the hero turns into a monster over course of the series? Are the Conan stories Dark Fantasy because of the vaguely Lovecraftian influences (Howard's Solomon Kane and Kull are more solidly in the Dark Fantasy wheelhouse, but even they kind of wander out of it on occasion)? Does having a "monstrous" hero or tragic events make it a "dark" Fantasy? Wheel of Time seemed to want to be Dark Fantasy but kept wandering into High Fantasy territory; Game of Thrones was kind of a mirror image in that it presented itself as High Fantasy but was very much Dark (even hinting, mostly via the history and symbols of the Greyjoy clan, at Lovecraftian elements),

3. Given the variety I've experienced all either definitely or potentially labeled "Dark Fantasy" I never know what to expect unless I'm familiar with the author and know what THEY tend to do.

 

[Juia_Darkcrest]

I tried to add some dark elements to some of my work...and I think I suck at it... I need to read some more to see how it is successfully implemented in a story.

 

[Anonjohn20]

I've seen too many wildly different things categorized as "dark fantasy" to be able to say "yes" or "no"

Correct. It might have been a genre in the past, but nowadays it's a meaningless buzzword that's used on many different genres. Within the label, one story might incorporate horror with fantasy, a second story will make everyone a villain or a jerk, and a third story will focus on the oppressive setting.

 

[Eldoria]

Ah - only saw the poll and didn't see the other two questions.

1. Answered above - I've seen too many wildly different things categorized as "dark fantasy" to be able to say "yes" or "no" - even within one single line (the Ravenloft novels from TSR back in the nineties), the variety was striking (and the quality WILDLY variable).
,
2. As someone who does a lot of genre mixing, the basic concept of a type of fantasy distinct from the more mainstream stuff, and which often crosses into horror, is appealing. But it IS a very broad term - are the Gor novels Dark Fantasy because the hero turns into a monster over course of the series? Are the Conan stories Dark Fantasy because of the vaguely Lovecraftian influences (Howard's Solomon Kane and Kull are more solidly in the Dark Fantasy wheelhouse, but even they kind of wander out of it on occasion)? Does having a "monstrous" hero or tragic events make it a "dark" Fantasy? Wheel of Time seemed to want to be Dark Fantasy but kept wandering into High Fantasy territory; Game of Thrones was kind of a mirror image in that it presented itself as High Fantasy but was very much Dark (even hinting, mostly via the history and symbols of the Greyjoy clan, at Lovecraftian elements),

3. Given the variety I've experienced all either definitely or potentially labeled "Dark Fantasy" I never know what to expect unless I'm familiar with the author and know what THEY tend to do.

Dark fantasy is a subgenre of literary, artistic, and cinematic fantasy works that incorporates disturbing and frightening themes. The term is ambiguously used to describe stories that combine horror elements with one or other of the standard formulas of fantasy. - wiki

In my opinion, dark fantasy is a fantasy story that explores the darkest side of humanity, society, and the world. The darkest sides of humanity, such as immorality, corruption, systemic evil, and even taboos in society these elements are often explored in dark fantasy.

For example, AoT questions the dark side of humanity: What does freedom mean for humanity confined (within walls) by brutal tyranny (either by titans or tyrants)? This story clearly explores the dark side of humanity, seeking freedom amidst the threat of oppression, tyranny, and even cannibalism.

 

[Racosharko]

AOT questions the dark side of humanity: What does freedom mean for humanity confined (within walls) by brutal tyranny (either by titans or tyrants)? This story clearly explores the dark side of humanity, seeking freedom amidst the threat of oppression, tyranny, and even cannibalism.

Arizona Office of Tourism

 

[CharlesEBrown]

AoT - Attack on Titan? Only saw two episodes and thought it was more science fiction than fantasy (though heard something about a genre redefining twist near the end that ticked off some fans, and justified the love others had for it so ...) or is this a different AoT?

 

[Eldoria]

AoT - Attack on Titan? Only saw two episodes and thought it was more science fiction than fantasy (though heard something about a genre redefining twist near the end that ticked off some fans, and justified the love others had for it so ...) or is this a different AoT?

Well, Attack on Titan can be considered dark fantasy because it's a fantasy story that explores the dark side of humanity, with walls acting as barriers to freedom and saviors of life. It's more like experimental fiction in a dark fantasy format. Sci-Fi elements are present, but they're only elements of the story, not the focus. Note: Titan lore is heavily influenced by mythological fantasy elements.

Arizona Office of Tourism

???

 

[RepresentingWrath]

I think there is no other subgenre that is as closely related to the term Cargo cult as dark fantasy. People think that simply killing characters left and right, writing how everything that is female is raped, and every character is jaded asshole will somehow turn into dark fantasy.

Authors think they put a lot of thought into the process of copying succesful attempts of making dark fantasy. They read a bunch of stuff and now think they know how to make a dark fantasy. However, what happens in reality is they mindlessly copy superficcial parts of dark fantasy. There is no comprehension on why this or that works. They read it, but don't understand it.

That's how we end up with all the Tokyo Ghoul, Goblin Slayer, Ubel Blatt, Akame Ga Kill, and other shite. Then we get third gen who didn't read originals, but read the previously mentioned second gen edgy slop. That's how we end up with works like Centuria or majority of web novels. They are even worse and even more superficial.

 

[JayMark]

I think there is no other subgenre that is as closely related to the term Cargo cult as dark fantasy. People think that simply killing characters left and right, writing how everything that is female is raped, and every character is jaded asshole will somehow turn into dark fantasy.

Authors think they put a lot of thought into the process of copying succesful attempts of making dark fantasy. They read a bunch of stuff and now think they know how to make a dark fantasy. However, what happens in reality is they mindlessly copy superficcial parts of dark fantasy. There is no comprehension on why this or that works. They read it, but don't understand it.

That's how we end up with all the Tokyo Ghoul, Goblin Slayer, Ubel Blatt, Akame Ga Kill, and other shite. Then we get third gen who didn't read originals, but read the previously mentioned second gen edgy slop. That's how we end up with works like Centuria or majority of web novels. They are even worse and even more superficial.

I mix dark fantasy with lit-rpg.

Bonk me daddy.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

I mix dark fantasy with lit-rpg.

Bonk me daddy.

huh?

 

[JayMark]

huh?

moo