About this guide

What this site is

Blade and Bloom is an independent guide for adult readers who enjoy, or want to try, fantasy adventure and romantic fantasy. It explains what sword and sorcery is, how it compares with high fantasy, what separates romantic fantasy and fantasy romance, which tropes readers search for, how the subgenres fit together and how to start reading.

What this site is not

It is not the website of any author, publisher, bookshop or fan organisation, and it is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them. It does not sell books, accept manuscripts or publish paid reviews.

Where the facts come from

Dates, names and definitions are checked against public reference works such as encyclopedias and articles by recognised organisations, and each guide lists its sources. Genre labels are used differently by different readers and publishers; where there is no single accepted answer, the guides say so. Suggestions on what to read next are clearly our own opinion.

The design

The site is built around one image: a blade and a rose meeting along a single edge of light, for the two traditions this guide follows.