Author Allen M Werner

In November of 1193, despite Rome’s objections, the emperor assigned a Spanish caballero, Pero de Alava, to be the judicature of affairs in and around the Italian fortress guarding and taxing the bridge over the Volturno River in Capua. It was Pero’s first imperial commission. The Spaniard didn’t know it then, but he was a pawn being strategically injected into the heart of an evolving battlefield, a volatile arena of bloodshed waiting to burst.
On September 28, 1197, the heart exploded, and blood flowed. Emperor Henry VI died. Civil war erupted. Pawns beware.
– Excerpt from The Crystal Crux – Betrayal

Fantasy fiction contains two subgenres called High Fantasy and Low Fantasy.

Low Fantasy generally sees the world in its natural form but elements of magic and the supernatural intrude upon it.

High Fantasy generally involves other worlds while incorporating elements of magic and the supernatural.

In a broad sense, the Twilight series, Good Omens, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Mary Poppins would be considered Low Fantasy. The world we know exists with other things from beyond it, intruding upon it.
The Chronicles of Narnia, The Camulod Chronicles, Alice In Wonderland and Harry Potter are also, in a sense, considered Low Fantasy because their false world is intruded upon by other things beyond it.

High Fantasy is chiefly set in a world beyond the known and focuses most often on good and evil.

The Lord of the Rings, The Folk of the Air, The Wheel of Time and A Song of Ice and Fire, would be examples of High Fantasy.

Epic Fantasy is generally considered to be a form of High Fantasy as it introduces many characters and plots.

“When others look at these mortared bricks, they see strength and security.” His expression dimmed. “I see shades. Black formless beings slithering up from the ground, rappelling the battlements as thick as ivy on a trellis. Soulless creatures reaching out from dark corners. Their devilish faces yawn from the masonry. Their piercing red eyes hot as dragon fire torch the barracks and the stables.” Pero stared at Francis, a hint of terror in his eyes. “They never touch me or harm me, but they kill everyone else.”
– Excerpt from The Crystal Crux – Betrayal

I have often described The Crystal Crux series as an epic dark fantasy book series. Some people who have read the first book Betrayal, commented that they thought there would be more elements of magic and sorcery in it.

While I readily change POVs and introduce dozens of characters and different locales, the elements of fantasy in Betrayal are not as prevalent as in the books that come later.

By definition, Betrayal is a Low Fantasy book.

Much of Betrayal deals with real world characters in real world settings as supernatural elements slowly begin to intrude.

While we learn very little about the giant albino magician, Sinibaldus and the magic Crystal he attests to have and wield, it is Pero’s insecurities and doubts that drive the story, causing him to abandon everyone and everything for a suicidal quest on a Pass believed to be haunted by supernatural creatures.
This definitely keeps Betrayal in the Low Fantasy realm.

The Second Book, Blue Grotto, pulls the reader deep into the High Fantasy aspects of The Crystal Crux series, much of it being dark and hopeless rather than light and promising.

“Place your left hand on the countertop, Pieter,” Sinibaldus said aloud, forgetting he could think his way into Pieter’s mind.
Pieter couldn’t tell the difference. Sinibaldus’ voice was a part of his consciousness now and there was nothing he could do about it. Pieter placed his left hand on the display case.
“Lift your sword, Pieter.”
Pieter raised the gladius, incapable of defying the command.
“Now strike it!”
Terrified, Pieter’s eyes lit. The command was not specific enough to act immediately, so Pieter was able to hesitate, deflect and resist but deep in his heart he understood what the giant wanted him to do. He knew what was coming next.
– Excerpt from The Crystal Crux – Blue Grotto

Cold Knight (3) and Shimmer (4) go even further afield as Pero loses track of reality and flies on the back of a qilin to the land of Eliade to fight a war alongside wonderful, mythical creatures.
Meanwhile, Sinibaldus finds that his magical powers, as enhanced as they are with the Crystal, can’t penetrate Anthea’s mind.

I think it’s safe to say that the first book Betrayal is Low Fantasy while the rest of The Crystal Crux series books are High Fantasy.

Perhaps you should read them for yourself and let me know what you think. 🙂

I recently released a re-edited second edition of Blue Grotto in case you’re interested in jumping right into the High Fantasy elements of The Crystal Crux series.

All 4 books are available on Kindle and in paperback. There are hard cover versions of Betrayal and Blue Grotto also available. Hope to have hard cover versions of Cold Knight and Shimmer available at a future date.

Stay inspired and keep reading!