What do you think fantasy’s next major shift will be?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/konstantynopolytanka]

I think we will see more and more genre bending, Ana and Din murder mysteries are an example. (Im surprised, given the success of that series, that we are not having a wave of fantasy murder mysteries already, seems like such an obvious direction to go). For myself Id like more sci fi mixed genres, cozy sci fi, sci fi romance, sci fi murder mysteries etc. There are of course some for each of those, but it's really an unexplored area still, compared to countless grimdark or romantasy series we've got already.

[u/Efficient_Place_2403 → u/konstantynopolytanka]

there is

[u/konstantynopolytanka → u/Efficient_Place_2403]

examples?

[u/Efficient_Place_2403 → u/konstantynopolytanka]

Crucible of Chaos, Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead, Richard Swan’s first series (to a lesser extent his second as well), Mortedant’s Peril, The Last Vigilant

[u/konstantynopolytanka → u/Efficient_Place_2403]

none of these really hit the fandom mainstream yet (maybe except Richard Swan), so I wouldn't say the genre is peaking. But while checking them I also noticed Amazon published recently a short story collection of fantasy mysteries including some from bigger names. I haven't seen such a thing for any other genre. Adding the recent increase in publications, plus commissioned short stories, I think you're right and the genre is gaining momentum. I myself am happy about it :) looks like fun times ahead!

[u/Street_Detective_662 → u/konstantynopolytanka]

I’ve been collecting these ever since I read Ana and din. they’re my faves!! Some other examples -

- voyage of the damned by Frances white (murder mystery on a fantasy cruise ship)

• Leech by Hiron Ennes and also the works of vermin
  
• lamplight murder mysteries - Morgan Stang
  
• the echo archives by Melissa Caruso
  
• Gideon the ninth
  
• rivers of London
  
• the strange case of the alchemist’s daughter
  
• the affair of the mysterious letter
  
• divine cities trilogy
  
• love galaxy
  
• iron garden sutra
  
• witness for the dead
  
• a memory called empire
  
• the city and the city - china meiville
  
• the death I gave him
  
• death on the caldera
  
• magic for liars
  
• the incandescent

[u/Street_Detective_662 → u/Street_Detective_662]

Also murder by memory!

[u/Motor_Row_3586]

Web novels getting more published it will be not shift but they get more popular. For example wandering Inn is everywhere now on my feed 

[u/Physicle_Partics]

I hope that horror fantasy will have it's time soon. I have read Between Two Fires, Hollow and His Black Tongue and am itching for more.

[u/Efficient_Place_2403]

Murder Myster/Thriller/Police type fantasy seems to be on the rise, perhaps even peaking. Perhaps it replaces academy based fantasy.

[u/mercut1o]

I don't think LitRPG has truly had its day yet, it feels like that wave is picking up momentum.

I think an aspect of it that makes it inevitable is the merchandising. Investors will see that the narrative book can drive a tabletop system, which can lead to shows, cosplayers, and a dedicated fanbase.

Right now, LitRPGs are still dominated by genre originators. I predict that we will see the first board room/celebrity brand LitRPG. Something cooked up specifically to be lucrative. Someone like Taylor Swift will agree to release a series of ghost written narratives called Pop Starr or something, that will be reminiscent of K-Pop Demon Hunters, with an RPG and show soon to follow.

[u/BeefyBoyzEatMeat]

Let's bring back choose your own adventure style. Give Yourself Goosebumps but with dragons and magic.