The hottest Fantasy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

My sci-fi novel recommendations

Noahpinion • 25588 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
📚 Literature Sci-fi Fantasy Short Stories
  1. The post provides recommendations for sci-fi novels from a personal favorite list.
  2. The recommendations cover a wide range of subgenres and themes, from space adventures to post-apocalyptic worlds.
  3. There are also fantasy book suggestions included as a bonus at the end of the post.

Culture Study Goes Full ACOTAR

Culture Study • 3308 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Fantasy Romance Literature Podcasts Critique
  1. These books have explicit sex scenes that focus on female pleasure, offering multiple builds and payoffs, with a perspective that centers around women's desires.
  2. The hotness in the books is rooted in monogamous fantasies, exploring the idea of soulmates and eternal monogamy as very sexy concepts.
  3. The series grapples with the complexity of first loves and the trauma of realizing someone may not be your perfect match, providing a rare depiction of challenging romantic realities.

Interesting reads, March 2024 edition

Brain Pizza • 794 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Essays Fiction Fantasy Psychology Book Reviews
  1. Maximising happiness is not the only goal in life, different societies value different aspects of well-being.
  2. Current thinking on happiness is evolving to include the concept of psychological richness as a facet of a fulfilling life.
  3. Exploring the idea of benign masochism reveals that some activities initially seen as unpleasant can bring joy and pleasure.

Zealots, extremists, ideologues, and fanatics (ZEIFs)

Brain Pizza • 860 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Belief systems Fantasy Institutions Conversations
  1. ZEIFs, including zealots, extremists, ideologues, and fanatics, may exhibit cognitive rigidity, black-and-white thinking, and resistance to considering alternative perspectives.
  2. ZEIFs may have underlying personality traits like low agreeableness, high conscientiousness, and high neuroticism, but personality dimensions alone may not fully explain extreme behavior.
  3. Social factors like group identity, echo chambers, and societal polarization play key roles in reinforcing and amplifying the extreme beliefs and actions of ZEIFs.
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Science Fiction Authors Fear Their Creations

The Algorithmic Bridge • 233 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
📚 Literature Science fiction Authors Imagination Fantasy
  1. Science fiction authors fear their creations coming to life, even when it was once their escape from reality.
  2. Static laws of life and the world provide stability and structure, allowing us to make sense of our existence.
  3. The desire to break free from mundane reality can lead to fear and insignificance when faced with the vast unknown of the universe.

An eerie, witchy '90s fantasy masterpiece; an transcendentally stupid YouTube comedy; gorgeous Irish art pop

Read Max • 316 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Fantasy Comedy Music
  1. An eerie, witchy '90s fantasy masterpiece was recommended for fans of the genre.
  2. A transcendentally stupid YouTube comedy was highlighted along with a play in New York City for entertainment seekers.
  3. Gorgeous Irish art pop album was suggested for fans of avant-garde music artists like Björk and Laurie Anderson.

Fiction seekers, your search ends here!

The Lifeboat • 275 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
📚 Literature Short Stories Novels Sci-fi Fantasy Romance
  1. The post provides a curated index of fiction works by the author, spanning various genres like sci-fi, fantasy, dark comedy, and romance, making it easy for fiction seekers to explore based on their interests.
  2. The author emphasizes sharing similar lists as a way to support fellow writers and engage with a community of fiction enthusiasts.
  3. The post also mentions the availability of both digital and physical versions of the author's work, with an invitation to readers to sign up for updates and leave comments.

Schrödinger's Gender

ajkay • 982 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Identity Ethics Reality Society Fantasy
  1. Failing to validate the preferred gender of trans-identifying people can impact their existence.
  2. Material reality is measurable and observable, different from what exists solely in one's imagination.
  3. Refusing to validate trans-identifying individuals is an ethical choice, even if it amounts to denying their existence.

Adventure Time and the Subversion of Whimsy, or How The Rightwing Lost Their Children

Trantor Publishing • 738 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Entertainment Storytelling Creativity Fantasy
  1. Conservatives lost the ability to pass down their values to the youth, showing the importance of storytelling and children's entertainment in shaping culture.
  2. Children's stories should be taken seriously, as they can convey deep meanings in a way that is understandable and impactful to young minds.
  3. The show Adventure Time delves into complex themes and characters but also contains dark and subversive elements, reflecting a trend in modern storytelling where innocence is lost in pursuit of adult themes.

Guest Post: Medieval Warfare Was Bad, Actually

Thing of Things • 255 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Fantasy Violence Atrocities
  1. Medieval warfare in 'A Song of Ice and Fire' is depicted fairly accurately according to military historian Bret Devereaux.
  2. The size of armies in medieval settings and the logistical challenges they faced were realistically portrayed in the novels.
  3. Warfare in medieval Europe involved widespread devastation, looting, and rape, challenging the idealized portrayal often seen in popular media.

Gigaheroes

Trantor Publishing • 159 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
📚 Literature Fiction Fantasy Adventure Drama
  1. The protagonist, Adam Mason, grapples with his mortality and the choices he's made, reflecting on whether his life had meaning and pondering on the possibility of making a lasting impact on the world.
  2. Adam faces a tough decision when approached by the Ghost, weighing the option of working together to extend his life or risking it by going against him, showcasing the complexity of moral dilemmas and survival instincts.
  3. The storyline delves into themes of redemption, collaboration, and the struggle to find purpose in a bleak and deteriorating world, highlighting the internal conflicts faced by the characters.

Gigaheroes

Trantor Publishing • 219 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
⚔ Fiction Fantasy Superheroes Action Adventure Drama
  1. The team faced a challenging situation with a powerful enemy and had to make tough decisions to survive.
  2. The main character showed bravery and maturity by taking unconventional actions to protect their friends.
  3. The story hints at potential alliances and future conflicts, building anticipation for what's next in the plot.

Gigaheroes

Trantor Publishing • 259 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
📚 Literature Superheroes Storytelling Character development Fantasy Conflict resolution
  1. The Urban Defenders are strategizing to capitalize on the newfound popularity of the super villain known as 'The Ghost' for engagement.
  2. Nighthawk struggles with the superficiality and expectations of being a superhero amidst a party, revealing the complexities of fame and identity.
  3. Personal relationships and deeper desires contrast with the public persona of superheroes, highlighting the internal struggles within the team.

Why Science Fiction Helps Us Ask All The Hardest Questions

Everything Is Amazing • 693 implied HN points • 20 May 23
📚 Literature Science fiction Book recommendations Fantasy Storytelling
  1. Science fiction is a great way to explore difficult questions and imagine different futures.
  2. Good science fiction is not just about technology, but also about societal and human issues.
  3. Speculative fiction allows us to discuss challenging topics in a relatable, fictional context, sparking valuable conversations.

Inside the utopian cities of Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power

The Novelleist • 629 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Design Architecture Fantasy Technology
  1. Designing for utopian worlds involves incorporating greenery and water to create a sense of life and comfort.
  2. Political structures can impact the ability to create utopian cities, as seen in contrasting examples like Saudi Arabia and the democratic process in Santa Monica.
  3. Technology can enhance our future, but it's essential to ensure it sustains human connection and values, like community and empathy.

The Domes of Calrathia

Trantor Publishing • 99 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
⚔ Fiction Adventure Fantasy Drama Mystery Suspense
  1. Before setting off on a long journey, it's essential to prioritize safety and vigilance with valuable possessions.
  2. In challenging situations, sometimes it's necessary to make tough decisions for duty's sake, even if it means leaving behind emotional attachments.
  3. Encountering adversity and ridicule can test one's resilience and determination to pursue their goals.

What's so alluring about incest fic?

Default Wisdom • 188 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Internet culture Fandom Psychology Online behavior Fantasy
  1. The appeal of incest fic in fandom may stem from a desire for emotional intimacy and intensity.
  2. Online behaviors like playing the victim can be influenced by internet culture and the need for validation.
  3. Being labeled 'dangerous' online can hold a certain allure, while being called 'insincere' can be more dismissive and delegitimizing.

Room

ASK MOLLY • 530 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Fantasy Art
  1. Shares of this fantasy are falling faster
  2. Someone in the house has a crush on Pedro Pascal
  3. Post is for paid subscribers only

The Domes of Calrathia

Trantor Publishing • 179 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
📚 Literature Fiction Adventure Fantasy Action Drama
  1. Prepare for challenges in a two-month journey across the Great Ice Plain, facing threats like blizzards and cannibals, and surviving on fish until reaching Myz.
  2. In a desolate city like Terminus, where ruins mark its decay, unexpected encounters and acts of bravery can unite strangers against common threats.
  3. Honorable actions and standing up for the helpless can lead to surprising alliances and outcomes, even in the face of danger and betrayal.

The Domes of Calrathia

Trantor Publishing • 79 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
⚔ Fiction Fantasy Adventure Mystery Epic
  1. Abudimus faced challenges and trials but remained steadfast in his beliefs and convictions, even in the face of danger and adversity.
  2. The story highlights themes of faith, redemption, and standing up against oppressive systems and false idols.
  3. Ultimately, Abudimus' unwavering faith and actions led to the downfall of a tyrant and the liberation of the people of Sarnath.

The Domes of Calrathia

Trantor Publishing • 79 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
📚 Literature Fantasy Storytelling Fiction Characters Plot
  1. Berenice's sword is a significant symbol tied to the memory of her child, and she must carry it until her death, representing her burden and the only memory allowed to her.
  2. The story delves into themes of love, grief, and sacrifice, highlighting the depths people are willing to go for those they care about.
  3. Death and its mysteries are pondered upon, emphasizing the unique ways individuals cope with loss and the different beliefs they hold about the afterlife.

The Domes of Calrathia

Trantor Publishing • 159 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
⚔ Fiction Fantasy Adventure Drama Mystery Action
  1. The protagonist is offered a choice between death or shame, symbolizing the internal conflict of honor versus survival.
  2. The Astronomers face the risk of extinction as their order is becoming obsolete, highlighting the theme of societal change and advancement.
  3. The stripping of the mantle ceremony signifies a profound loss and public humiliation, reflecting the consequences of betrayal.

Girardian Isekai Part 2: Isekai is Two Worlds Mythology

From the New World • 16 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Mythology Fantasy Christianity Literature
  1. Isekai is a genre of fantasy where characters are transported to new worlds, often focused on contrasting present-world features with historical or fantastical elements.
  2. Isekai narratives can serve as a tool to explore and recover Christian heritage, highlighting true teachings amidst modern distortions.
  3. The concept of Isekai serves as a modern form of 'two worlds mythology' where Christian interpretations and themes can be reexamined in a new light.

The Domes of Calrathia

Trantor Publishing • 139 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
⚔ Fiction Adventure Fantasy Storytelling Characters
  1. An Astronomer embarks on a dangerous journey to Calrathia with a historic manuscript, facing deadly obstacles and making a life-and-death decision to continue.
  2. The Astronomer encounters a fierce wolf and engages in a brutal struggle, showcasing resilience and determination to survive in a harsh, unforgiving environment.
  3. Hope emerges as the Astronomer discovers fresh footprints in the snow, leading him to a mysterious metal door and a potential chance for salvation.

The Domes of Calrathia

Trantor Publishing • 79 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
⚔ Fiction Fantasy Drama Adventure Mystery Romance
  1. The protagonist encounters a mysterious and unique mannequin-like figure named Charon, adding an element of intrigue and mystery to the story.
  2. The story delves into themes of identity and existence, questioning the nature of life and purpose through the dialogue between the protagonist and Charon.
  3. The conversation at the dinner table between the characters highlights differing perspectives on topics like duty, honor, family, and sacrifice.

The Mandate of Heaven in Fallout: New Vegas

Trantor Publishing • 119 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Gaming Narratives Power Dynamics Fantasy
  1. Fallout: New Vegas presents a gameplay where the player's persuasive argument decides the victor, not might.
  2. The game emphasizes the power of narratives in securing control and the player being central in these narratives.
  3. None of the factions in the game are strong enough to create a lasting society, showcasing a flaw in the power dynamics.

Fantasy Is Universal

The Bottom Feeder • 266 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Fantasy Philosophy Literature
  1. Fantasy is a universal genre that attracts people due to its fantastical elements and imaginative storytelling.
  2. Humans rely on fantasy to explore themes of heroes, villains, gods and monsters, showcasing a desire for stories of beings beyond ordinary capabilities.
  3. The appeal of fantasy lies in power fantasies that provide comfort, the ability to feed our imagination with new worlds, and the potential to disguise uncomfortable truths in an engaging way.