Gunpowder Fantasy is part of the modern fantasy trend. It occupies a space that is neither medieval nor urban. Steampunk is Gunpowder Fantasy's cousin, but doesn't have the fantastic inventions that Steampunk is known for. Magic, fantastical creatures, and other tropes of fantasy are still present in Gunpowder Fantasy, but guns and cannons are also a part of the world. The sub-genre is still evolving and being defined, but it opens up new and exciting areas for fantasy writers to explore.
In many ways, Gunpowder Fantasy is derived from Epic Fantasy and it is an attempt by modern writers of the fantasy genre to reinvigorate the genre. Sure there are the classic epic fantasies that defined a genre—they're wonderful reads. But what was once exciting about them has, over the years, become a bit overdone, a bit tired. Gunpowder is an evolution of Epic Fantasy—it is industrialized fantasy, it is exciting, it is fresh, it is a sub-genre that is changing and still being defined. Authors are taking up the gunpowder element and creating all new worlds and demonstrating the diversity of the fantasy genre.
There are strong feelings about the inclusion of gunpowder in the Fantasy genre, but it isn't actually a new addition. Gunpowder appears in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and even references it in The Hobbit. In Terry Pratchett's Discworld series there is a gonne—a dangerous weapon with a firework mechanism. What Gunpowder Fantasy does differently is make gunpowder central to the story and an important component of world-building.
Other Features of Gunpowder Fantasy
- Level of Magic
Moderate-High. Generally, magic is very well developed and is almost always used in interesting ways. What is unique to this sub-genre is the relationship between magic and technology (specifically weapons technology). How magic and gunpowder interact is an important part of the world-building within the sub-genre.
- Level of Grand Ideas/Social Implications
Moderate-High. Gunpowder Fantasy is a modern sub-genre of fantasy and it tends to have themes related to industrialization and revolution. Much like our own history, introducing gunpowder into a fantasy world changes everything, warfare being the most obvious change. The innovation of gunpowder coincides with other technological advancements, which had significant impacts on society. The relationships that change and develop as technology changes is a big question that Gunpowder Fantasy deals with—as technology changes so too does magic and the world itself.
- Level of Characterization
Moderate-High. Gunpowder Fantasy, like other modern fantasy stories, places an importance on characters. Characters tend to be dynamic and engaging. But, there isn't really a specific type of character to discuss here, partly because the sub-genre is still being defined and partly because modern fantasy has a tendency for multi-dimensional characters that are wholly individual.
- Level of Plot Complexity
High. Flintlock Fantasy doesn't get as bogged down in world-building as other sub-genres (like Epic Fantasy) because it can draw on the reader's historical knowledge of the time period. World-building of course is still important as these are alternate world stories, but having this basis for the world means there's more room for plot development. There is room for different types of stories and plots in the sub-genre, but Flintlock does tend to more military inspired plots, with action packed scenes and epic battles, which often make for a more linear plot. This makes for a high momentum story, the plot is always marching forward. However, because the sub-genre is still evolving and being defined, it is difficult to characterize a typical plot.
- Level of Violence
Moderate-High. This is a sub-genre defined by the use of weapons technology—there will definitely be violence. The violence is militaristic in nature.
Popular Gunpowder Fantasy
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1
The Thousand Names
First book in The Shadow Campaigns series and a military fantasy.
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2
Powder Mage
Trilogy where people called Powder Mages whose magical ability is manipulating gunpowder.
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3
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4
Iron Elves
by Chris Evans
An empire is teetering on the edge of war in a world of muskets, cannons, bows, magic, and more.
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5
The Alloy of Law
A spinoff of the Mistborn trilogy. A spinoff of the Mistborn trilogy. The world is on the verge of modernity—railroads,
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6
Dragon Brigade
and Robert Krammes. Muskets, pistols, dragons, airships, floating islands—what's not to love?
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7
Temeraire
by Novik, Naomi
This series is set during the epic events of the Napoleonic Wars, with the addition of dragons.
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8
The Cerberus Rebellion
The beginning of the Griffins & Gunpowder universe. A world of elves, magic, mythical creatures, rifles, and railroads.
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9
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10
Terrarch Chronicles
by William King
A high adventure series that mixes fantasy and sci fi in a world of magic and gunpowder, in a world where new revolutions are being born.
The shortlist
More of this subgenre: new releases and the lists readers are opening most, by email.