Whether it’s an epic battle between kingdoms in an entirely fictional world or a subtle, magical disturbance in an otherwise normal setting, fantasy fiction continues to captivate readers of all ages. But not all fantasy stories are created equal. Ask any seasoned reader or writer of the genre and they’ll tell you: there’s a world of difference between high fantasy and low fantasy.

So, what is high fantasy? What is low fantasy? And, why does it matter?

From magical creatures to magical pow...