These methods also, both immerse readers in the story. Relatable elements make readers feel involved by reflecting on their own experiences, while fantastical escapism captivates them by transporting them to a world that feels vivid and real, even if it’s vastly different from our own.

And lastly, both elements enhance the connection between the reader and the characters. Relatable elements allow readers to see themselves in the characters, while fantastical escapism often places characters in extraordinary situations that test their limits, making their reactions and growth fascinating to follow. The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin reveals relatable characters who face personal and societal struggles, such as oppression, trauma, and the search for belonging, in a world of the Stillness, with its seismic activity, magic, and apocalyptic setting, provides a unique and immersive escape. This takes the reader through exploring a complex, richly imagined world while remaining emotionally connected to the characters’ journeys and struggles. Another example is The Wizard of Oz (1939) with its vibrant characters and whimsical settings, which provides an immersive escape from reality but also immerses the reader into Dorothy’s journey driven by her desire to escape her mundane life in Kansas and find a place where she truly belongs.

Of course, you can also see differences where the relatability of the work grounds the reader in real-life experiences, emotions, and situations that readers can easily identify with but then the story is rooted in otherworldly and the extraordinary, offering an escape from the mundane by presenting readers with magical realms, mythical creatures, and epic adventures that are far removed from everyday life. Relatability shows believable and emotionally resonant characters while escapism provides a sense of wonder and adventure, allowing readers to explore possibilities beyond the constraints of the real world, offering the chance to dream, imagine, and experience things that are impossible in reality, and giving a mental and emotional break from their everyday lives.  The final impact encourages the reader with introspection and empathy, as they see aspects of their own lives and emotions reflected in the story. This can lead to a deeper understanding of themselves and others, as the story resonates on a personal level. The escapism’s impact invites readers to lose themselves in a world of imagination, providing a thrilling sense of adventure and freedom. It allows readers to step outside their reality and experience the joy of discovering something completely new and unexpected.

My adult epic fantasy novel, Sparrow’s Legacy, delves deeply into offering the relatability of righting wrongs and helping the helpless as well as a magical realm that uses magic during battle. Here is a sample:

Chiri touched Tara’s arm to still her forward movement as soon as she saw the red robe near the back of a tent. It could only be a searcher. They watched as another man in dark green swung a short Kabar stick at his side. The red-robed figure cried out and collapsed. The heavily beaded club was used at the stock slaughterhouses to whip beasts. Chiri felt her mouth dry at the sickening sounds that continued with the beating. 

The weapon alone gave evidence of the man’s nasty nature. However, a strong chain looped into his belt and a thickly padded jacket provided proof of his profession. He was a Collector, someone who controlled the magic of the searchers and Psi dogs to read and mine the material they could provide. His skill was to merge and collect. He could be symbiotic, taking a place as part of the search, gleaning information alongside the searchers. This would be the custom. Or, as in this case, he could just take the data; an abusive Collector using punishment to force the intelligence from his victim and absorb it from the pain being inflicted. It took little energy and less time. A Collector could be a vicious miner, but mostly they were brutal and had little true fighting skills. 

Chiri tried earlier to explain to Teng about the thick armor, and its fallacy. She told him of how they might handle the Psi dogs, raising them with torture and minimal feeding to get the fastest results. She knew Psi dogs were especially sensitive to beatings, being able to read the intent long before the abuser struck. But the uncomfortable look of disgust Teng gave her spoke of his reluctance to hear the finite details. His older sister grunted and turned to inspect her arrow tips. 

Chiri thought of Cree’s deep affinity to animals and nodded in agreement with them both. At least they would all be able to find a Collector and the searcher on sight. Taking out these two resources would eliminate anyone following so quickly.