Types of Novels: The Ultimate Guide to Fiction Genres & Subgenres

Stories are intermediaries between fantasy and reality, and novels are the grandest of them. They enable us to travel in the kingdoms that do not exist, get plunged in secrets that leave us with no sleep after midnight and get to feel the way we have never felt in our lives. To a writer, novels are the canvas upon which an infinite creativity is formed whereas to a reader, they are an open door to experiences that can entertain, move and inspire. 

But not every novel is constructed in the same way. There are those who feed on suspense, others on love; those who dwell in futuristic possibilities, and those who plunge into the depths of the human condition. Every genre and subgenre has its share of promise of wonder, thrill, laughter or reflection. It is these differences that allow writers to create stories that are easier to relate to, and readers to select stories that can actually relate to them.

This final guide will take you through the different types of novels, subgenres of each one and what makes each one of these novels special. Regardless of whether you are here to create or to discover, this guide will give you an overview of the amazing possibilities that fiction has to present.

What is a Novel? Understanding the Format

A novel is not a long story with two covers on it but rather a well-thought out story that forms the characters, conflicts and themes that the story goes through in details. Novels give the possibility to develop characters in detail, to create complex plots and a number of story lines that change with time unlike short stories or novellas which are usually brief and center on a single idea or event.

Novels are not just long books, but a particular genre in the literary world, which is aimed at allowing authors the liberty to examine complex issues and feelings. They range from 50,000 to 120,000 or more depending on the genre and vision of the writers. The form and length allow unfolding the story in stages and developing tension, revealing secrets, and proving how the characters evolve in a way that is impossible in short works.

A novel can be divided into chapters and each of these chapters is regarded as a construction block to the overall story, and can also contain subplots which can add richness to the main plot. You can enjoy the immersive experience presented by the format of the novel, whether you are reading a fast-paced thriller or a massive historical work you find yourself engaged by the format of the novel that enables the reader and the writer to get a taste of the entire gamut of human experience in a single journey.

The Major Fiction Genres: A Detailed Breakdown

When you are asking yourself how to write a novel, one of the most important things is determining your genre. Picking the appropriate genre does not only assist with the tone, structure and subjects of your story, but it also specifies what your readers will have in mind once they pick up the page. Either writing or reading, being familiar with the great fiction genres (and the numerous subgenres) will enable you to move around the literary scene with confidence. Between the gorgeous worlds of the fantasy and the roughness of the literary fiction, the genres play different roles and appeal to the audience differently.

The most popular genres of fiction are listed below with definitions and the main subgenres as well as characteristics and examples of classic to modern works.

Fantasy

Fantasy is among the finest novel genres that forms new worlds or reconstructs our own with the help of magic, myth, and supernatural. They are frequently about power, heroism, good and evil, though in an environment where laws of reality are no longer effective. Fantasy is unlimited imagination whether it is dragons flying on between kingdoms or the antique spells changing the destinies. Fantasy is used when a writer prefers to worldbuild, work on lore, and invent detailed magic systems.

Subgenres:

High/Epic Fantasy: 

• Placed in explicitly imagined worlds with their own history, language and magic. These tales are usually centered on earth trembling incidences such as wars or the ancient prophecies, and involve heroic journeys. The stakes involved are high and the tone tends to be serious or mythic.

• Example: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Low Fantasy: 

• Set in the real or the known world with minimal magical intervention. The elements of fantasy are subtle or presented as exceptions. The world is rooted, and the magic elements tend to be conflicting.

• Example: The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Urban Fantasy: 

• Combines fantasy and contemporary city life. There are supernatural creatures (and usually in the shadow) in the real cities. The attitude may be gritty or humorous.

• Example: The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher

Dark Fantasy: 

• Balances the fantasy with the elements of horror: violence, immorality, fear, or hopelessness. It tends to touch more on the dark side of human beings and might not have obvious villains or heroes.

• Example: The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

Romantasy:

• Pays just as much attention to worldbuilding fantasy and romantic relationships. The romantic subplot is usually the focus of the character development and the fantasy world only adds to the tension of the relationship.
• Example: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Key Characteristics: 

Intense world-building, magic systems, fantastic creatures, general conflicts, and good-evil themes.

Classic & Modern Examples: 

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Science Fiction

Science fiction (sci-fi) is a projection of the future or other realities created by scientific and technological progress. The genre asks questions of humanity, ethics, and innovation that are "what if" in nature, and tend to either caution or speculate on the direction we are moving towards. It stretches between far-off space exploration to close future AI breakthroughs, both based on the rationality or theory of science. Sci-fi is a genre of choice among those writers fascinated by technology, innovation, or imaginary social organization, as well as readers fascinated by the grand vision.

Subgenres:

Hard Sci-Fi:

• Insists on scientific accuracy and utmost logic. A detailed explanation is given on technologies, space travel, physics or biology. These tales are guesses on the actual scientific principles and these usually mirror what is happening in the real world.
• Example: The Martian by Andy Weir

Soft Sci-Fi:

• Lays more emphasis on the social, psychological or philosophical ramifications of futuristic thought than on technical specifications. It is about individuals coexisting or responding to future developments.
• Example: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Dystopian:

• Located in grimy, usually totalitarian futures. War, environmental catastrophe or dictatorial governments have led to the collapse of society or made it oppressive. Often uses the themes of rebellion or opposition.
• Example: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Space Opera:

• Space based large scale adventure tales. There are to expect intergalactic empires, space battles, alien planets, and dramatic character arc. It is sci-fi with grandeur and flair.
• Example: Dune by Frank Herbert

Cyberpunk:

• The action occurs in the nearest future in high-tech and also luxury societies. Usually includes hackers, cybernetics and dystopian cities. Themes are surveillance, corporate domination and digital revolts.
• Example: Neuromancer by William Gibson

Key Characteristics:

Science fiction, future earth, techno-science, science fiction critiques of the society and speculative science.

Classic & Modern Examples: 

Isaac Asimov’s Foundation, Frank Herbert’s Dune, and Andy Weir’s The Martian.

Romance

Romance fiction is one of the best types of novel genres. It focuses on a love affair of the characters, with generally a happy or fulfilling resolution. The storyline of the genre is emotional intimacy, personal development and the dynamics of love. Light comedy or heavy hearted, romance is all about connection. It is ideal to authors who like to play around with relationships, emotional conflict and character-focused story tellers.

Subgenres:

Historical Romance:

• Placed in a unique historical time. The times influence the love struggle; because of social conventions, social classes or war. The scene is frequently equally fleshed out as the characters.
• Example: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Contemporary Romance:

• Placed in the present world, where the principal characters deal with real life relationships and modern problems involved in dating, work life or family.
• Example: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

Paranormal Romance:

• Combines its elements with romance and supernatural or fantasy. Either of the two love interests can be a vampire, a werewolf, a witch or some other creature that is not a human being.
• Example: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Romantic Suspense:

• Blends romance and thriller or mystery. The relationship is built through the couple traversing danger, such as murder investigations, espionage or crime.
• Example: The Witness by Nora Roberts

Key Characteristics: 

Stories built around relationships, emotional trajectories, love tests and fulfilling (often happy) relationships.

Classic & Modern Examples: 

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, and Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us.

Mystery & Crime

The mystery and crime fiction revolve around the solving of a crime, and in most cases a murder. The core element of the fiction is searching the truth, riddles, and handling secrets. These narratives motivate the readers to deduce logically and to be in suspense. Perfect to those writers who are fond of organization, turns, and mystery.

Subgenres:

Cozy Mystery:

• Light and generally humorous mysteries about amateur detectives (bakers or librarians) working in small towns. Little violence and not graphic.
• Example: Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie

Police Procedural:

• Accompanies professional detectives/ law enforcement officers as they solve crimes. Pay attention to those realistic investigation techniques and legal processes.
• Example: The Cormoran Strike series by Robert Galbraith

Hardboiled:

• Gritty and cynical tone. Involves many instances of private investigators who work in morally grey areas, corruption and city crime.
• Example: The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

Thriller/Suspense:

• Concentrates on dramatic scenes and building up of tension. May have serial killers, conspiracies or a psychological twist. The reader is able to see the mystery but the main character is not aware of it.
• Example: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Key Characteristics: 

Evidence, false leads, puzzles, logical inferences, and an overall puzzle to be solved.

Classic & Modern Examples: 

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, and Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl.

Historical Fiction

Historical fiction involves making the past real. The tales are based on actual historical times and usually incorporate both historical occurrences and characters of fiction. They strive to immerse the readers in the various periods with vivid genuine detail. Good with writers who love research, and readers who love time-travelling by literature.

Subgenres:

Alternate History: 

• Asks the question of what would have been possible had history unfolded differently. Frequently speculative, and their key differences (such as the Nazis winning WWII).
• Example: The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

Historical Fantasy:

• Combines both real historical eras with magic or mythical ones. The fantasy makes the historical background even stronger but not replaced.
• Example: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Nautical/Military Historical:

• Dedicated to historical battles, wars or life at sea. High emphasis on military culture, hierarchy and strategy.
• Example: Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian

Key Characteristics: 

Explicit investigation, real-life environment, bygone historical characters/incidents mixed with fiction.

Classic & Modern Examples: 

Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace, Ken Follett’s Pillars of the Earth, and Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall.

Horror

The writing of horror fiction is meant to intimidate, disturb or upset. It capitalizes on the greatest fears of death, insanity, the unknown or the supernatural. Horror will tend to tap more into the darker side of the human soul in addition to the darkness that is present in the everyday life. Perfect when the author is interested in creating emotion and tension, and when the reader is interested in being scared (safely).

Subgenres:

Psychological Horror:

• Cares about the inner fears and paranoia of the character and his mental breakdowns. Frequently confuses reality and delusion.
• Example: The Shining by Stephen King

Supernatural Horror:

• Deals with ghosts, demons, supernatural entities that frighten characters. May depend on spooky places or supernatural powers.
• Example: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Body Horror:

• Focuses on the hideous change or loss of the human body. Shocking, sensuous, and very physical.
• Example: The Troop by Nick Cutter

Gothic Horror:

• Gloomy, somber tales of attempts in abandoned mansions, in ruins, or misty scenery. Madness, isolation and uncanny themes are typical.
• Example: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Key Characteristics: 

Mysterious mood, tension, apprehension, disturbing imagery, and terrifying surprises.

Classic & Modern Examples: 

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Stephen King’s The Shining, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic.

Literary Fiction

Literary fiction focuses on characters, theme and style at the expense of plot. It tends to delve into the human condition in profound, significant ways and has been characterized by artistic prose, self-reflective narrative, and emotional richness.

You might be having a query what are the different genres of literature in novel, but to your notice, they are not a genre, but a style in which you tell a story and it can be a style that can be used in any genre.

Common Traits:

• Complex characters
• Rich, lyrical writing
• Old-fashioned plots or ambiguous or open-ended ones.
• Philosophical or social subjects.

Classic & Modern Examples: 

Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse, Toni Morrison’s Beloved, and Sally Rooney’s Normal People.

Young Adult (YA) Fiction

YA fiction is aimed at teenage readers (12-18 years) but has a wide audience of adults. These novels are usually characterised by teenage heroes/ heroines who encounter issues of identity, love, friendship and rebellion as they grow up. YA cuts across the genres yet they are united by the themes of youth experiences.

Key Characteristics:

Familiar teen attitude, breakneck speed, heart-throbbing, self-realization and development.

Classic & Modern Examples:

S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games, and Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give.

Emerging and Niche Genres for the Modern Reader

With the changing face of literature, new and niche genres have now been realized to mirror current issues, new forms of telling stories and evolving reader interests. These genres can be characterized as the traditional aspects mixed with innovative themes that attract the contemporary readers who are exhausted by the lack of originality in the narratives and seek the narratives that have a sense. As a writer looking to know How to Start a Novel in these new genres or a reader looking to get out of the mainstream, these new categories are enticing creative playgrounds and new journeys.

Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi):

Climate Fiction, also known as Cli-Fi, is fiction that revolves around the subject of climate change and environmental disasters and how they have affected human beings and the Earth. It is a speculative fiction genre that mixes current real-world problems with an urgent and post-ecological disaster or sustainable innovation future.

• Key Characteristics: Centralize on environmental topics, dystopian or optimistic futures, social and political satire, an urgent voice, futuristic situations based on science.
• Classic & Modern Examples: The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi, and Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

Hopepunk & Solarpunk:

• Hopepunk: Hopepunk stories are subgenre characterized by optimism and resistance and prioritize kindness, community, and a fight against despair. It is a response to more dystopian stories, in which its characters create better futures by being understanding and tough.
• Solarpunk: Solarpunk is a vision of the eco-friendly and sustainable futures based on the renewable energy sources and the harmonious relationships between humans and nature. It is a kind of speculative technology combined with utopian ideals and it typically includes green settings, which are vibrant and rich.
• Key Characteristics: Positive worldviews, community-based narratives, social justice, environmental solutions.
• Classic & Modern Examples: Becky Chambers’ Wayfarers series (Hopepunk), and anthologies like Sunvault (Solarpunk).

Romantasy:

Romantasy is a genre that is a blend of the worldbuilding aspects of fantasy and the emotional nature of romance. The love affair usually serves as the storyline, which is mixed with magical struggles or mythical searches.

• Key Characteristics: Epic fantasy with strong and character driven romance; magical or supernatural worlds; high emotional love and adventure stakes.
• Classic & Modern Examples: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, and Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Cozy Fantasy:

The subgenre Cozy Fantasy consists of warm, comfortable stories that are set in relatively smaller and smaller fantasy worlds. It is frequently set in a pleasant small-town, light magic, slow-paced, it focuses more on the community and personal development than on the epic quests or big stakes battle.

• Key Characteristics: Good clean family-friendly, friendship and family oriented, little violence, and frequently with a light or pastoral backdrop.
• Classic & Modern Examples: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, and The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

These new and sub-genres underscore the way fiction keeps on expanding according to culture and the needs of the readers. They give authors new possibilities to use their creativity and readers new, interesting stories reflecting the current hopes, challenges, and dreams.

How to Choose a Genre to Read or Write

Choosing the correct genre is all that matters, be it immersing oneself in a new book or creating his/her own story. The genre defines the mood, creates your anticipations and it affects your emotional and intellectual experience. These are some of the things that should be considered by both the readers and writers in order to make the right decision.

Considerations for readers

• Determine Your Mood and Interests: Do you need excitement, romance, intellectual challenges or emotions? The genre that is going to be the most resonant is usually predetermined by your mood.
• Think About What You Want to Escape or Explore: Fantasy can take you away to another world, historical fiction can put you in the past and science fiction can challenge your imagination of other possibilities in the future.
• Reflect Your Reading Objectives: Do you read to relax, to learn, to be emotionally engaged or to get a thrill? Various genres provide various experiences.
• Experiment and Stay Open: There is nothing wrong with experimenting with genres that you are not familiar with. It is said that sometimes the greatest things are discovered by going beyond your comfort zone.
• Check Reviews and Recommendations: To determine who has quality reads, a good place to start is to seek out books in forms that are strongly recommended by other friends, family members, or other trusted sources.
• Reflect on Your Favorite Themes: In case your favorite is a story about identity, friendship, or mystery, consider genres that go deep into those subjects.
• Balance Complexity and Accessibility: There are those genres that are more plot-driven and fast-paced (thrillers, YA), and then there are those that require slow contemplation (literary fiction). Select according to your choice of reading.

Considerations for writers

• Market Demand: The latest trends in research are genres such as romantasy, cozy fantasy, and cli-fi that are increasingly becoming popular.
• Align Genre with Your Passion: Creating a piece in an area where you are passionate or especially connected will act as a motivating element and a creativity driver.
• Understand Genre Conventions: Every genre is filled with tropes, pacing and expectations. Knowing these will enable you to satisfy the requirements of the readers and introduce your own flavor.
• Relate to Your Strengths: Do you create more complex worlds, create more emotional relationships or create more suspenseful plots? Select a genre in which you have writing strengths.
• Target Audience Awareness: Know your audience of readers and their expectations. It may be satisfying to write for a niche audience, but this must be thoroughly researched.
• Experiment and Write What Feels Authentic: You are not constrained by genres, but you can always mix up and experiment. Nothing sounds more authentic than storytelling.

You are reading a new book or planning your next manuscript, these ideas will guide you to the correct genre it belongs: one that is exciting, challenging, and brings you pleasure in reading stories.

“Still not sure? Explore our curated lists of the best books in each genre!”- Lists of the best books in each genre

Resources for Further Exploration

The world of fiction has numerous genres and subgenres that can make the process of exploration look like opening the door to infinite opportunities. No matter whether you are a writer who is polishing your manuscript or a reader who is looking to find the next favorite book, the following resources will assist you to dig deeper into the field, the industry and the world of the stories.

Suggested Reading on the Craft of Fiction: 

As a writer, you need to know the mechanics of every genre, and you will level your storytelling abilities. Here are some go books:

• On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King- A combination of memoir and masterclass, King dispenses practical tips and personal understanding of how to write in several genres, in particular, horror and suspense.
• Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass- An ultra-resource to take your fiction to the next new level: commercial thrillers, fantasy epics, character-driven dramas.
• The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass- Concentrates on stirring emotional melodrama in fiction, which is a critical ability in all genres.
• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody- A plotting method that is genre conscious in the sense that it explores a universal story structure through examples in the romance, sci-fi, fantasy and others genres..
• Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin- An aesthetically-oriented and informative guide on the topic of narrative voice, language and structure, which is ideal in writers of speculative or literary fiction.

Tools for Discovering New Books

Discover your new favorite book or sign in to new genres using reader-based recommendations and customized book suggestions.

• Goodreads: A huge collection of readers who post reviews, curated lists, and genre-specific suggestions. Read in new genres, subscribe to authors and keep track of your reading targets.
• The StoryGraph: StoryGraph allows you to browse the books based on mood, pace, and genre. Their custom-made suggestions particularly come in handy where you do not understand what to read next.

These materials can act as stepping-stones, with them keeping you motivated, informed and connected as you move forward into the expansive digital realm of fiction.

Conclusion

The world of fiction is as enormous and diverse as the human mind. Epic fantasy worlds to romance, chilled mysteries to the promise of the future, each genre provides a perspective through which we discover the world of what it is to live, feel and dream. Knowing the genre of novels and peculiarities of their genres and subgenres, both readers and writers are empowered. To readers it is a means of getting stories that really strike with them. It is a guide on how to create meaningful and compelling stories that resonate with the right audience as far as writers are concerned.

The genres are not categories, but imaginative platforms. They can direct anticipations, influence emotional experiences and give stories a voice. Nevertheless, it is the fiction which is the most good when these boundaries are stretched, mixed or reinvented.

This guide is the way to go either you’re immersing yourself in your next great read or you are writing something yourself. Write bravely, dare fearfully, you must keep in mind that no matter the genre, every great novel is the story worthy of telling, and the reader eager to believe.