If you are at all familiar with Tolkien's work, then Bilbo's cry - proclaiming the arrival of Eagles - will be no stranger to you. Indeed, these plot-armoured birds are somewhat of a hallmark of the Master of Middle-Earth, one rejoiced over and lampooned in equal measure by both lovers and critics of his writing.

But they are misunderstood. Tolkien's Eagles cannot be taken literally; they are a narrative embodiment of the unlooked-for grace, the redemptive turn - winged harbingers of Tolkien's concept of eucatastrophe.

Anna Thayer has been fascinated, inspired and led by this...

'This is an essential guide to help readers and writers of fantasy know their grimdark from their urban, dark, epic, high and metaphysical fantasy. International fantasy author A J Dalton explains how each of the sub-genres of fantasy literature is a response to their own social and historical period. Each sub-genre thereby describes a distinct political and philosophical outlook. Fantasy is far more important than many people truly understand '

"Thoughtful, insightful, while sure to prompt debate, and that can only benefit all facets of the fantasy genre." Juliet E....