 Alternatively it can be seen as an affectionate study of the themes and ideas that resonate through fantasy writing.The tone is generally tongue-in-cheek, with such explanations as why there are Dark Lords but no Dark Ladies, why casual sex in Fantasyland almost never results in pregnancy, and why male virginity is useless whereas female virginity is highly prized.The first edition "Tough Guide" (Vista, 1996, ) was a 223-page paperback.