Great Authors that AREN'T in Appendix N.

[Lanefan]

::looks at nearby shelves for things not yet mentioned::

David Eddings - Belgariad and all the various attachments thereto

Jack Whyte - his various Arthurian stories aren't as high fantasy as most listed here but there's some good ideas in there for non-magical characters

Raymond E. Feist - Magician series, also Empire series (Servant-Mistress-Daughter)


Also, I think it was [MENTION=9037]Elf Witch[/MENTION] who mentioned Kurtz for psionics done right - based on her work I once tried redesigning psionics along those lines - they were still broken...

Lanefan

 

[rkwoodard]

Magic of Recluse

Since E. Moon, and G. Cook have already been mentioned.


L.E. Modesitt Jr.'s Magic of Recluse Series.

For a more recent author John Flanagan's Ranger's Apprentice is really good as well. Maybe not MUST READ, but certainly a highly recommend.

RK

 

[Mercutio01]

It might sound a little odd, but:

Brian Jacques - the Redwall series
Jules Verne - particularly Journey to the Center of the Earth

 

[Nellisir]

Also, I think it was @Elf Witch who mentioned Kurtz for psionics done right - based on her work I once tried redesigning psionics along those lines - they were still broken...

I think there is at least one Dragon article, possibly more, plus numerous letters, regarding Deryni psionics. It was a big topic of discussion for awhile, I think. At least I remember it as so.

 

[Nellisir]

I reread things a lot and when say I read something new and then go read something from the 60s or the 80s especially if it is science fiction you can see how the filed has changed. You see it with fantasy too.

Oh, the changes in SF are screamingly huge. I pick up older copies of the Years Best SF when I can, and the change in just 20 years is striking, let alone 30 or 40. Fantasy has trends that come and go in prominence, but it's...different.

To be honest I am getting a little tired of some urban fantasy. I swear if I read about one more heroine who is naturally beautiful without trying who never dressed up but when she does she is breath taking , who has a chip on her shoulder a mile wide, and is the biggest Mary Sue ever my head will explode.

Urban fantasy just never caught me. If it's close to "modern-day", I prefer sf, steampunk, or something similar. There are exceptions - I picked up a tpb of "Little, Big" yesterday, which means I have at least two copies, and possibly three - but that is an exception.

Our differences are what make us interesting.

 

[Posr]

Agree with most of those posted above. I would say that Joe Abercrombie's books are among the most inspiring Swords and Sorcery books I have read in decades. Give them a shot. The bloody nine is a character that will stay with you.

 

[Nellisir]

It might sound a little odd

No judgement in this thread. Everyone has the right to their own opinions and preferences.

 

[Nellisir]

Agree with most of those posted above. I would say that Joe Abercrombie's books are among the most inspiring Swords and Sorcery books I have read in decades. Give them a shot. The bloody nine is a character that will stay with you.

What I said about judgement just above? Forget that.

The Bloody-Nine is f*ing incredible, pardon my french. The Bloody-Nine is to berserkers what Paksenarrion is to paladins.
Edit: I'm trying to think of characters to compare with Logen Ninefingers, aka The Bloody-Nine. As Logen, he maps rather closely in personality to Croaker. As the Bloody-Nine, I dunno. The tarrasque? Fool Wolf vs the Bloody-Nine would be interesting, though I can't imagine any spectators surviving to the end.

Keyes, J. Gregory: "Fool Wolf" stories, "Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone" series, "Chosen of the Changeling" series

 

[Elf Witch]

I think there is at least one Dragon article, possibly more, plus numerous letters, regarding Deryni psionics. It was a big topic of discussion for awhile, I think. At least I remember it as so.

Yes there were articles on it. I have the magazines if they were not packed I would tell you the issue.

 

[TarionzCousin]

Steven Brust's Vlad Taltos series.