Welcome to the 2024 Genre deep dive. We're going to be doing these each week based on the feedback we got last year. There are plans to keep tweaking things.  We have already started the process of making software updates for the site now that we have found a new software developer.  There are nice enhancements for blogs like this and our weekly wrap ups that we'll see later in the year.

Let us know what you like and what you'd like to see and we'll see what we can do.

 

Action/Adventure sub-genres of action/adventure tend to focus on actively moving the plot along and less on character and other elements usually in a fun/mystery sort of way.  Typically there is a MacGuffin, a plot object, that the characters are trying to get or prevent others from getting.

Sub-genres: Action Fiction, Adventure, Disaster, Historical Adventure, Martial Arts, Nautical , Spy, Spy-Fi, Super Hero, Swashbuckler

Top 10 Most Read - Action Fiction

focuses on fast-paced action and physical challenges.  Often involves a hero or protagonist facing intense obstacles and overcoming them through physical prowess and skill.

1. The Light at the End of the Tunnel by kbois
2. Shadow Effect by kbois
3. The Case of the Short, Short Prince by Geron Kees
4. The Brotherhood: Awakening Book II by The Writer X
5. Elemental by WolfM
6. Twinks in Space: Destination Unknown - Part One by Adam Andrews Johnson
7. BEAU by Paladin
8. Flying Circus by Carlos Hazday
9. Hidden Sunlight by Stellar
10. The Flamekeepers of Delta Psi Theta by Kelevra

Top 10 Most Read - Adventure

Adventure stories typically have a journey of discovery and exploration

1. The Light at the End of the Tunnel by kbois
2. ARROW by CLJobe
3. Circumnavigation by C James
4. Northern Exposure by Mark Arbour
5. Bearpaw: An Old West Tale by Headstall
6. Spirit Wolves by kbois
7. Shadow Effect by kbois
8. Morningstar: The Malaise by Headstall
9. Into the fields of Summer by gabz2000
10. Let the Music Play by C James

Top 10 Most Read - Historical Adventure

Takes place in a specific historical period or features historical events. Often includes elements of historical fiction and may involve real historical figures. Ex Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

1. Bearpaw: An Old West Tale by Headstall

Top 10 Most Read - Martial Arts

Stories centered around martial arts.  Also popularized by ‘Kung Fu movies’, the primary focus of martial arts stories are the physical fight scenes peppered throughout. Movie examples include Enter the Dragon, Drunken Master, Mortal Kombat, and The Karate Kid

Top 10 Most Read - Nautical

action adventure with a sea-based setting.  Examples: Treasure Island, Pirates of the Caribbean

1. Flying Circus by Carlos Hazday
2. Frontier by quokka
3. Luz de Castilla - Summer of '22 Book IX by Carlos Hazday
4. Tall Ship Adventures by quokka
5. Beyond Frontier by quokka
6. Aquaria by quokka
7. Ocean Research by quokka
8. New Frontier by quokka
9. Alex & Lang by quokka
10. Oceania by quokka

Top 10 Most Read - Spy

lighter-hearted spy - Sort of a Alex Rider and some of the earlier James Bond movies

1. Mr & Mister Danvers: Initiation by LJCC
2. CDMX by Carlos Hazday
3. Carter's War by Topher Lydon
4. Luz de Castilla - Summer of '22 Book IX by Carlos Hazday
5. Carter's Recourse by Topher Lydon
6. Carter's Duty by Topher Lydon
7. Carter's Fortress by Topher Lydon
8. The Knight's Tale by Tim Hobson

Top 10 Most Read - Spy-Fi

Spy with Sci-Fi mixed in. This is usually a more technologically advanced situation that most people's every day life.  Think Enemy of the State, James Bond Moonraker, Jason  Bourne

1. La Tombola by drsawzall
2. I Spy With My Little Eye by Myr
3. Psionic Corp – No Return by Myr
4. The Truth is Out There by Myr
5. Dragon Tales by Xfighter1984

Top 10 Most Read - Super Hero

Emphasis on action sequences, but with a sci-fi or fantasy element and often capes and costumes. (Unless you listen to Edna Node of The Incredibles (No capes!))

1. Running for Home by Lux Apollo
2. Palingenesis by frozenphenix
3. Storyverse: Stealing the Show by kbois
4. Holding Back by Thorn Wilde
5. Inked by Carlos Hazday
6. The Caped-Crusader Caper by Geron Kees
7. Retail Ninja by astone2292
8. Chicago Wildlife by Young Sage
9. Spudhunter! by northie
10. The Black Spider by Twisted_Dreemz

Top 10 Most Read - Swashbuckler

Emphasis on action sequences, but usually with a sword in hand.  Tends to cross over with historical nautical action adventures.  Examples: Zorro and Pirates of the Caribbean.

1. The Mantis Continuum - Book Four by Adam Andrews Johnson
2. Will you be my Verlaine? by Oliver Dean