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Get to Know Your Action & Adventure Subgenres: A Full Guide
Updated: Jul 28, 2023
Choosing Your Subgenre of Action & Adventure: Why is this Important?
Action & Adventure isn't the most popular genre for fiction writers, even if it is my favorite. So when it comes to finding information to help you get started in the action and adventure sphere, it can be challenging to find anything.
Even though it may not be the favorite for writers to write, it is definitely loved by readers (even if they don't know that's what they're reading.) The genre is vast, and there are many subgenres to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics.
Because I love action adventure so much, here is a list of the most popular subgenres. If you are considering writing adventure, then this is the place to begin your journey into the genre.
In this article, we'll explore the different subgenres of action and adventure and help you choose the right one for your story that will fit the tone and pacing you are looking for. We'll also look at some of the best classic adventure novels that have influenced the genre over the years.
By the end, you'll have a better understanding of the action and adventure genre and be able to choose the right subgenre for your story.
Or, if you never before considered writing adventure, maybe you'll change your mind.
Defining the Action & Adventure Genre
If you're interested in writing in the action & adventure genre, it's important to understand what it encompasses. Action & adventure is all about excitement, thrills, and high-stakes situations. It typically involves a protagonist who is on a mission or quest of some kind, and who must overcome obstacles and challenges to achieve their goal.
The action & adventure genre is often associated with fast-paced, high-energy storytelling, and makes up some of the most beloved movies, TV shows, and video games, as well as books.
While there are many different subgenres within the broader action & adventure category, some common themes and tropes include:
Epic quests or journeys
High-stakes action sequences
Physical challenges and obstacles
Danger and risk
Heroes and villains
Exploration and discovery
Key Elements of Action & Adventure
Some of the most important elements of action & adventure include:
Strong Central Plot Goal: The plot of an action adventure story is typically driven by the protagonist's mission or quest. This mission should be clear and well-defined, and should provide a clear sense of direction for the story.
Fun and Dynamic Characters: Action & adventure stories often feature larger-than-life characters who are brave, resourceful, and heroic. These characters should be well-developed and interesting, with clear motivations and goals.
Exotic or Dangerous Settings: The setting of an action & adventure story is often exotic or unusual, and may involve travel to different locations or even different worlds. The setting should be vividly described, with plenty of sensory details to help the reader imagine the world of the story.
Hard-Hitting Action Sequences: Action & adventure stories are known for their high-stakes action sequences, which should be fast-paced, exciting, and well-choreographed. These sequences should be integral to the plot and should help to move the story forward.
High-Intensity Tension and Suspense: Action & adventure stories should be full of tension and suspense, with plenty of cliffhangers and unexpected twists and turns. The reader should be on the edge of their seat throughout the story, wondering what will happen next.
By understanding the place of these key elements of the action & adventure genre in your story, you'll be better equipped to write a thrilling and engaging story that will keep your readers white-knuckling the arms of their chair.
Subgenres of Action & Adventure Fiction
There are plenty of subgenres to choose from in action adventure.
Each has its own unique characteristics, themes, and plot devices that can help you create a compelling story.
Here are some of the most popular subgenres for you to consider:
War/Military
If you're interested in writing about soldiers, battles, and military tactics, then the war/military subgenre might be for you. This subgenre can be set in any time period, from ancient Rome to modern-day conflicts. It can also include elements of other genres, such as science fiction or alternate history.
Spy
The spy adventure subgenre is all about espionage, intrigue, and deception.
In these books, you're writing about secret agents, double-crosses, and high-stakes missions. Spy stories can be set in any time period or place. The James Bond series by Ian Fleming is a perfect example (and the most well-known) of spy adventure fiction.
Heist
The heist subgenre is all about planning and executing a daring robbery. These books are about clever criminals, elaborate schemes, and unexpected twists. They are often fast-paced and complex. A classic example of heist adventure fiction is The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton.
Survival
The survival subgenre is all about staying alive in extreme conditions. This subgenre is for authors interested in writing about characters who are stranded in the wilderness, lost at sea, or trapped in a disaster zone.
Survival stories are some of the most fun to read and also tend to hang onto readers for a long time, as they are very often based in something that feels real, like it "could" happen. And that tends to scare the crap out of most of us.
Disaster
The disaster subgenre is all about catastrophic events that threaten human lives. This is a sub-sub genre of survival (most of the time) and depicts stories of natural disasters, technological catastrophes, or other large-scale emergencies.
Disaster stories often have a science fiction element to them (but they by no means have to) depicting the world after some horrible catastrophe of our own making.
Treasure Hunting
The treasure hunting subgenre is one of the best known in action & adventure. It's characters are on a quest valuable artifacts or hidden treasures. The subgenre features adventurers, explorers, or archaeologists. Think Indiana Jones or Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Western
The western subgenre is all about life on the American frontier. If you're interested in writing about cowboys, outlaws, or pioneers, then this subgenre might be a good fit.
But don't feel like you are constrained by the historical aspect of a Western either. You can take the motif of the "Wild West" and do a lot with it, like Joss Whedon did with with western-feel sci-fi Firefly. Right now I am writing a fantasy that has a strong wild west feel.
There are creative ways to write a "Western" set in any time and place. And I'm of the opinion more writers should.
Comedy
The comedy subgenre is all about making readers laugh. Most good adventure has a touch of comedy or lightheartedness. Humorous situations, witty dialogue, and the like.
Comedy stories will take this a step further and put absurd characters in absurd situations to make us laugh. The Princess Bride was one of these action & adventure stories and remains one of the most loved books of all time, so don't underestimate the lasting power of a well-crafted comedy.
Swashbuckler
But The Princess Bride is also part of the Swashbuckler subgenre!
Swashbuckler action adventure fiction is characterized by high-spirited tales of daring heroes and heroines engaged in thrilling escapades. Filled with sword fights, epic quests, piracy, and romance, these stories put the "adventure" in adventure fiction, where chivalry, honor, and excitement reign.
Superhero
Next, we move onto a very well-known sub-genre of action adventure: The superhero subgenre. Here we are all about characters with extraordinary abilities who fight for justice.
I shouldn't have to explain this one too much, I mean, watch any Marvel or DC movie and you pretty much got it covered.
There are a ton of subgenres within the action adventure fiction category, and it's a shame that new writers don't give it a fair shake when choosing what to write (if they think about it at all.)
Action & adventure will always be on my favorite list of fiction genres. They are the types of stories that make you excited for life as a child, they are complex and full of heart. I think every writer should at least attempt to write an action adventure even once in their career because it is so rewarding to read but also to write!
Best Classic Adventure Novels
If you're looking for inspiration for your next adventure novel, why not turn to the classics?
Here are three of the best classic adventure novels on my personal favs list:
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
First published in 1844, The Count of Monte Cristo tells the story of Edmond Dantès, a young man who is betrayed by his friends and imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. After years of imprisonment, he escapes and discovers a hidden treasure that allows him to seek revenge on those who wronged him.
This novel is a classic tale of adventure, revenge, and redemption. It's full of action, intrigue, and plot twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-developed, and the writing is engaging and so much fun.
It's no wonder that The Count of Monte Cristo is considered one of the greatest adventure novels of all time and will forever by my favorite ever written!
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
The Call of the Wild, published in 1903, is a novel about a domesticated dog named Buck who is stolen from his home and sold into the brutal world of the Alaskan wilderness during the gold rush. The novel follows Buck's journey as he adapts to his new surroundings and becomes more in touch with his primal instincts.
Thought it may sound like a Homeward Bound type child's book, it is definitely not.
This novel is a classic example of the "man versus nature" theme in adventure literature. It's a thrilling tale of survival, endurance, and self-discovery. The writing is vivid and descriptive, and the characters are memorable and relatable.
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy
The Scarlet Pimpernel, published in 1905, is a novel about a mysterious hero who rescues French aristocrats from the guillotine during the Reign of Terror. The hero, known only as the Scarlet Pimpernel, is a master of disguise and a skilled swordsman who outwits his enemies at every turn.
This novel is a classic example of the swashbuckler subgenre. It's a thrilling tale of heroism, romance, and intrigue set against the backdrop of the French Revolution.
The writing is fast-paced and exciting, and the characters are larger than life. The Scarlet Pimpernel is classic adventure novel with a dash of romance and a lot of action.
These three classic adventure novels are must-reads for anyone interested in the genre. there is a reason these books have remained classics for so long. Action and adventure has a long, proud lineage, so if you are planning to write it, you best know the family line.
Side note: I wanted to add an affiliate link to this book so you can all read it, but I can't find a reliable copy that is close to the original or of good physical quality. If you want this book, beware that the version you get may not be true to the classic.
Final Words
Remember that the most important thing in choosing a subgenre is that you find something you are passionate about and that you have a good understanding of. This will help you to create a story that is engaging and exciting for your readers.
When selecting your subgenre, consider the different elements that make it up, such as the setting, the characters, and the plot. Think about what makes your subgenre unique and how you can incorporate those elements into your story to make it stand out.
Don't be afraid to experiment with mixing and bending genre conventions to find the things that works best for you. You may find that you have a talent for a certain type of action and adventure writing that you never knew existed.
I hope if this article did one thing, it's give you a better appreciation of what is in my opinion the very best genre of fiction ever invented. So for today, don't just keep writing, friends, but keep writing adventure!
Do you know your action adventure genre family tree?
To write in any genre successfully you MUST be familiar with the other writers whose work has defined it over the years. How can you expect to write anything unique if you don’t know what that entails? Do your homework and read up on your genre's literary ancestors. I have curated a list of 15+ must-read novels if you are to adeptly write in the action adventure genre.
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