Keeping Distinction Within the Fantasy Genre

There are four things that, in my opinion, any good series of books needs in order to succeed. First of all, a captivating storyline is an absolute must. Second, the characters (no matter the species, race, gender, etc.) must have relatable and understandable qualities. Third, the story should not be utterly predictable or stale; some mystery and twists are never amiss. An additional bonus to this, especially in the fantasy world, is magic. And last but most important of all, they must have an author who possesses the ability to carry out the story and guide the audience through the lands of the story. When considering the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin and Baelfire Book One: Innocence Lost by Jade Jesser the audience realizes that both stories have all of these qualities, in both their similarities and differences.

Let us consider first the storyline. One interesting storytelling technique that both the A Song of Ice and Fire and Baelfire series utilize is the use of telling the story from different character points of view. This keeps the audience in the minds of all of the characters and not dooming the story to be solely the focus of only one person in the storyline. It also ensures that the story at large is presented to the audience before the characters within it know what exactly is taking place; this ensures that the audience can understand the wider world and motivations at play within the story. One difference between these two stories is that in the A Song of Ice and Fire series the point of view switches with each new chapter and is titled with the name of the character from whom we gain the point of view. In Baelfire, the point of view switches in sections, sometimes multiple times within the same chapter. They are also not titled, so the audience must be paying attention to the content of the section and the wider storyline simultaneously. This keeps the audience on their toes, which I find very exciting.

Character creation can, in my mind, make or break a story. Flat characters with dull descriptions and little to no backstory will take a story nowhere. At the same time, too much irrelevant backstory can easily derail and converse a story.  However this is not the case with either the A Song of Ice and Fire or Baelfire series. The characters of all genders, species, and professions are given phenomenal descriptions and enough backstory to make the audience feel that they understand and care about them. Few characters are alike, and the ones who seem similar are not so much that they feel repetitive. An additional similarity is that both stories focus on children who must learn to survive in a world of hostility that they could have never imagined. Each child has their own set of dangerous trials and challenges and the story begins to veer from the adult point of view sections to the children’s early on and one has the feeling that the children’s point of view is where the bulk of the action will take place. In contrast to the patriarchy of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, Baelfire takes a turn and is set in a primarily matriarchal society. This offers a refreshing view and set of rules for the characters, as well as challenges the audience's possible personal viewpoints. An additional difference is that in Baelfire we are introduced early on to a few important different species of characters, each with their own unique culture, that will be of more than background importance to the unfolding of the story. In the A Song of Ice and Fire series, we barely see any non-human species characters make an appearance until much later in the series.

Both series offer enough information to entice audiences, but leaves out just enough information to avoid giving the game away. One way the both stories offer this to audiences is through the use of magic in addition to the unfolding puzzle within the story. Neither story, as of yet, has given a definite set of rules for the magic systems at play although both have given hints as to how the magic of their world works. This is a phenomenal tool to utilize as it adds to the mystery of the story as it unfolds and also allows the story to grow in twists and turns that are less likely to feel predictable and stale part way through the series. In both stories, some practitioners of magic feel the need to hide who and what they are to avoid danger and persecution while piecing together their destiny and role in the worlds in which they live. The magical characters in Baelfire seem to be in a much more perilous world than those of the world of A Song of Ice and Fire. In Baelfire, magic practitioners are immediately enslaved or killed if caught, whereas in A Song of Ice and Fire magic practitioners are slightly protected from this fate either by being feared or viewed as lacking in any real power. Additionally, magic is a force that is widely either not believed in or is greatly mistrusted in A Song of Ice and Fire whereas in Baelfire magic is believed in but is to be hidden or stamped out at all costs.

Both Jade Jesser and Gorge RR Martin have lent an incredible amount of description and imagination to make their stories come to life. Whether the story is describing a non-human character, the use of different magics, the horror and action of a battle, or a celebratory event both authors do not skimp on the details that are relevant to the characters and audience to set the scene and truly create the experience within the story. In addition, neither author shies away from creatively crafted terms, names, and descriptions for their worlds while simultaneously keeping their creations close enough to our own real world, riding the line in such a way that the audience can easily imagine the fantastical world that has been created for them. While both authors lend vivid descriptions to their story, the writing of Baelfire seems to allow the story to unfold in such a way as to allow the audience to understand what is going on and let the story carry them away into the world. Conversely, the A Song of Ice and Fire series, in its quest to keep the audience guessing, can become less of a pleasant journey and more of a confusing mash of important details and red-herrings that can be flat out frustrating at times. Both authors succeed in hooking an audience, but the style and layout of the details of the story are unique to each.

Both Baelfire: Innocence Lost by Jade Jesser and A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin offer audiences fantastical worlds, beautiful story telling, and vibrant characters. Yet in each case the authors and series bring a different writing style and atmosphere which differentiates each story. This allows both stories to be their own unique piece of the fantasy genre without feeling as though they are indistinguishable from each other.

Written by Kaci Corbridge