The fantasy genre is a genre of speculative fiction that involves supernatural/magical elements in the story/setting. It often includes complete imaginary realms, creatures, and magic users. It also has roots in oral traditions and real-world folklore and mythology are both used by many fantasy authors. The genre is also compared to the science fiction and horror genres since all three are major categories of speculative fiction, with fantasy being distinguished by a general lack of macabre or scientific themes, though such themes can be found fantasy, and fantasy does not need to be scientifically accurate or needs to primarily invoke fear in the audience. An author's use of narrative elements that don't necessarily have to rely on history or nature to be coherent in an identifying trait of the fantasy genre. This is what separates fantasy from realistic fiction since realistic fiction does have to pay attention to history and the natural laws of reality.
