A Tour of Science Fiction

11 Things I Love About the Fantasy Genre

Posted by admin on 18 Jun 2010 under books, movies, television

Tracy Falbe

I read many types of books, both fiction and nonfiction, but the fantasy genre always stays at the top of my reading pile. Many of the elements of fantasy that perpetually attract me are:

1. Sword fights

Some critics might label them juvenile, but the thought of defending myself from death and dismemberment is undeniably exciting. Swinging the blade along with a hero or heroine sweetly satisfies because it lets the civilized mind explore the properly forbidden realm of violence. As a reader, I am also attracted to the power represented by the sword. This ancient weapon meant for war and not hunting is a potent symbol, forged from the ores of the Earth and given deadly force by the strength of flesh. These ancient truths resonate with me.

2. Magical Races

Magic is an essential element for fantasy literature. It can come in many forms, but I prefer the magic to be exclusive to a special race. I enjoy thinking about a race apart from humanity that has an expanded command of the forces of the universe.

3. Pre-industrial societies

Most, but not all, fantasy novels are set in a world that is pre-industrial. It usually has technology similar to that of the ancient world or Medieval times. I think this setting is attractive to me because there are no cars. I’ll admit it. I like horses. Better yet, how about riding a dragon?

4. High stakes

By this I mean that the plot is usually driven by the need to save the world, save the kingdom, save the princess, etc. It is something very important that matters to humanity, or elves, or fairies, or whoever. General fiction stories set in my real world simply don’t captivate me nearly as often. I want to think big and get away from my little life.

5. Political intrigue

Many fantasy books include characters who are among the elite of society. Kings, priests, scholars, generals, warriors. Such characters are usually trying to maintain their political power and are under attack from scheming rivals. It is fun to read about people facing such problems in which failure can mean assassination, execution, or exile. I guess I enjoy fantasizing about being in charge.

6. Social commentary

Although fantasy tends to focus on hereditary aristocratic elites, the storylines often include other segments of society. Slavery, racial prejudice, gender oppression, religious fanaticism, and child labor frequently are examined within the fictional contexts of fantasy literature. I like fiction that tackles weighty themes that trouble our real world, and fantasy books can sometimes critically illuminate social ills.

7. Mythic scope

The events and characters in fantasy often operate on the level of legends and the shaping of worlds. This is very appealing because it adds to the impact of the story. The story is about something that mattered to the world, to its history and maybe even its creation.

8. Heroes

This is the genre that delivers good old fashioned sword-swinging heroes who will take on the bad guys. Such raw elemental displays of bravery make good reading.

9. Quests

The characters usually have to endure long dangerous journeys. They have to go here and get this magic amulet. They have to go there and build an alliance and gain an army. Quests are a very effective plot device, and I like the straightforwardness of it.

10. Taverns

Quests inevitably involve stopping somewhere for the night, getting a drink and dinner, and probably hiring a mercenary. Anyone who has been on a road trip can appreciate that feeling of wary excitement when entering a strange watering hole. Tavern scenes serve as a great way to bind the mythic and heroic characters to the readers by putting them in such an intimate and familiar situation.

11. Monsters

All manner of vicious beasts, undead, dragons, and tentacle-waving horrors assault the adventurers, and it often makes for thrilling action. I like these metaphorical battles that represent my fears of the overwhelming force of Nature, and, beyond that, the supernatural. Fighting monsters resonates with something deep in humanity that once struggled through a truly threatening and primeval world.

This rich and varied genre lets me enjoy my imagination and draw upon the deep experiences of humanity through the ages. I invite readers to discover my four-part fantasy series The Rys Chronicles by downloading Union of Renegades at http://www.braveluck.com

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All Time Greatest TV Sci Fi

Posted by admin on 25 May 2010 under reviews, television

Paul Gallen

When discussing the greatest science fiction television series of all time, there is sure to arise a heated debate amongst friends. There are so many great science fiction TV series’ that it may be impossible to compare them to each other, especially when they are compared among different eras and generations of television viewers. However, there is only one television series that is always brought up in these types of conversations: Star Trek.

The main reason that Star Trek is the greatest science fiction series of all time is that it has reached across several generations of television viewers. The Original Series of Star Trek began in 1966 and lasted for about four years. Over the course of the next 30 years, Star Trek continued to be aired across the world, concluding with the Enterprise series which concluded in 2005. More than 30 seasons of the show were produced and have totalled close to 730 original episodes. Aside from the television series, Star Trek has also spawned 11 different feature-films with one more in production and due for release in 2012. The franchise truly has attracted fans from several different generations and allowed parents and their children to enjoy the same show.

Another significant factor that makes Star Trek the All Time greatest science fiction television series is the cultural impact that it has generated. Trek is a multi-billion dollar industry that has changed the way people talk and the gadgets we have around us. Many lines from the series, such as “to boldly go where no man has gone before”, have been adopted as favourite quotes by celebrities, politicians, and average citizens. Many fans of the show have given themselves the name of “Trekkie” to describe their addiction to the show. The series has also influenced many of the technological devices and advancements that have been made in recent years. The handheld computer, mobile phones, and even the MRI machines were made popular by the hit show many years before they were adopted as “necessities” by western civilizations. Many future devices may also come from the series’ attention given to teleportation, space travel, and other science mysteries. NASA even named the original prototype for its space shuttle the “Enterprise”, given after the name of the fictional starship that the cast called home.

Perhaps the greatest contribution made by the show was the casting of individuals of different races and cultures. Prior to the Star Trek era, most television shows did not intermingle its cast members with those of other races for various reasons. The cast included individuals whose roots are traced to Japan, Russia, Africa, Europe, and even extraterrestrial regions such as Vulcan.

Star Trek has proven, and will continue to prove itself as one of the greatest science fiction television series’ of all time.

Paul Gallen writes guides on gadgets, gaming and electronics. Paul’s your personal guide to all things LCD TV including where to find the best cheap LCD TVs and LCD TV deals. He can also tell you all about those new fangled 3D TV things.

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