This essential reference book details everything the novice needs to know about the genre and everything the well-read fan is calling out for. Lavishly illustrated and expertly informed, it is edited by Tim Dedopulos and David Pringle, editor and co-founder of the internationally acclaimed Interzone magazine, and features forewords by legendary authors Terry Pratchett and Patrick Rothfuss. They have assembled a team of expert contributors to compile a visually stunning, informative and fascinating guide to the world of fantasy, from its origins and early trailblazers to the cultural phenomena of today's mega fantasy properties.