Not all fantasy stories are created equal.
Some stories just hand out magic, power, or praise like candy—with no effort, no cost, and no growth. These are wish fantasies. Others—what we’ll call wise fantasies—challenge their characters, push them to grow, and leave readers a little braver and wiser. And, yes, there’s a difference between the two.
In many wish fantasies, the hero is a super-powered teen who saves the world … just because. He or she is “chosen,” with no deep reason why. There’s no struggle, no failure, no real sacrifice. The story exists to flatter the reader—“You’re special just because you are!”—and it sells like crazy.
Think: a kid skateboarding down the street when a secret door opens and someone says, “You’re the only one who can save the world.” Boom. He’s got weapons, skills, and a mission. Why him? Who knows. But it’s fun to watch.
The problem? These stories train the imagination to expect greatness without effort—and that’s not how life works.
Now think of series like The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia. The heroes in these stories falter and fail. They struggle. They sacrifice. They’re not perfect—but they grow. These stories challenge the reader, too. They make us ask hard questions. They help us become better people.
C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, and the other Inklings believed fantasy should do just that—shape noble hearts, not just entertain. Their books don’t hand you wish fulfillment. They offer something deeper: truth, beauty, courage.
But why does it matter? The stories we read shape our expectations and even our values. If we’re always reading about effortless success and instant power, we might start expecting life to work that way. And when it doesn’t, we’re disappointed—or worse, we give up.
But if we read stories where the hero fights through fear, failure, and pain to do what’s right, we’re more likely to do the same. That’s the kind of fantasy worth reading. And that’s the kind of fantasy Spires Prospect offers.
Quick Takeaways:
• Wish fantasy = quick thrills, little growth.
• Wise fantasy = meaningful struggle, real transformation.
• The best stories don’t just entertain: they make us stronger.
