Political Fantasy
What Is Political Fantasy?
“Politics” and “Fantasy” might at first seem an unlikely combination for a good read. But think about it: any fantasy world has one or more societies; and politics is the organizing force of society. Rather than relegate the political landscape to a prop position in the story, this form gives it center stage. Think Hamlet, except that something is rotten in the state of....Xenthera?
The protagonist is typically a naïve outsider who stumbles into the treacherous machinations of the political elite. Upon discovering a threat to the society he/she has pledged to uphold (whether ardently or reluctantly), the hero must take stock of their true character and push past boundaries to defeat those who would treat citizens as pawns in some evil game.
With all the back-room deals, public posturing, secret sins and who-knows-what-else we see in our own real-world politics every day, this sub-genre has a rich vein to mine while exploring what might happen in an entirely different world, given human nature and how it determines how any group of people will organize and interact.
Politics is often a heavy part of epic/high fantasy too, so you might classify many epic fantasy series as political fantasies too.
Common Political Fantasy Characteristics
Level of Magic
Political behavior is interesting because it follows from motivations and incentives that are recognizable to all humans. Threats, bribes, and blackmail are forms of magic that are more likely to pop up in this sub-genre than incantations or secret cloaks.
Level of Characterization
Great variety in these features: there could be many characters; there could be few.
Level of Plot Complexity
Comparatively complex with many twists and sub-plots.
Level of Violence
Sex and violence are a staple of the political thriller, and so they are in this sub-genre as well.
Related Types of Fantasy
Realistic and Historic Fantasy are close relatives, as this sub-genre de-emphasizes magic in favor of believable behavior in an alternate world. Epic High Fantasy is also related due to the fact that we're not talking New York or Los Angeles here.
Political Fantasy Isn’t For You If
The physical appeals more than the cerebral. Political manipulations can get very twisty and subplotty, so if you like your fantasy straightforward, you might give this a pass. This is a minor sub-genre appealing mainly to adults.
Popular Political Fantasy Books
The King's Blades series Dave Duncan
The Long Price Quartet Daniel Abraham
The Red Wolf Conspiracy Robert V. S. Redick
Hythrun Chronicles, Tide Lord series Jennifer Fallon
Farseer Trilogy, The Tawny Man series Robin Hobb
Prince of Nothing trilogy R. Scott Bakker's
The Lies of Locke Lamora Scott Lynch
The Curse of Chalion Lois McMaster Bujold
Nightrunner series Lynn Flewelling
Kushiel series Jacqueline Carey
Deryni series Katherine Kurtz
First Law trilogy Joe Abercrombie
Black Company Glen Cook's
The Empire Trilogy Janny Wurts & Raymond Feist
Magician: Apprentice & Magician: Master Raymond E. Feist
Other Recommendations (less well known works)
Tales of the Otori Lian Hearn
Twelve Houses series Sharon Shinn
Felix and Mildmay series Sarah Monette
Inda series Sherwood Smith
The Privilege of the Sword Ellen Kushner
Perdido Street Station China Mieville's
The Folding Knife K J Parker
Winds of the Forelands series David Coe
Do you have your own politcal fantasy suggestions? Share them in the comment section below!
I'd probably add many of Kay's non-Fionavar Trilogy books to the political fantasy list. Especially Lions of Al-Rassan and Under Heaven.
I have found all of your lists extremely useful and thank you for them. I was wondering though, wouldn't A Song of Ice and Fire fit into this category as well?
i've just finished reading the third book in A Song of ice and Fire. I think you're right. 
I love stories that have lords, royalty and other big players in it, and A Song of Ice and Fire has loads of em. Majority of the characters are very much involved in the political backdrop of the story given their standings... But maybe the blogger put the series under the Historical-based category?? It might be able to fit under there since I remember an article saying that George RR Martin was inspired by the War of the Roses.