[OT] Which do you think are the best fantasy novels/authors?

[blackshirt5]

Just like it sounds. I was debating this with one of my players, who proceeded to tell me that I had bad taste simply because I think, personally, J.K. Rowlings name is going up on the big boards along with the names of J.R.R. Tolkien, Michael Moorcock, and others, as one of the greatest fantasy authors.

What do you consider the great books of fantasy?
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Silmarillion(must read for worldbuilding)
The Harry Potter Books

All I can think of for now. Anybody else wanna jump in? I'm looking for things to read over the Christmas break as well, another reason I'd like feedback.

 

[Dingleberry]

Eddings' Belgariad.

 

[EvilMountainDew]

Bl

I think R.A Salvatore's books are beautiful. My favorite set is the Drizzt books. They start with the Dark Elf trilogy, start there. They are set in Forgotten Realms, too. He has about 20 books out and i read about 15 of them and they were all pretty good.

 

[Tisvon]

I like Robert Jorden's Wheel of Time books. They're long, and there are a lot of em', but I think that that's a good thing, not a bad one.

 

[Avarice]

George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series is, hands down, the best fantasy work I have ever read. Leaves Tolkien in the dust, IMHO. Of course, it is pretty dark... be warned, no character in it is truly ever safe from the reaper's clutches.

 

[blackshirt5]

I like some of Salvatore's stuff, but unfortunately, after reading it, EVERYONE(except, surprisingly, my gaming group) wants to play Drizzt.

 

[Umbran]

There's great meaning "Fits my personal literarty tastes", and there's great meaning "had or will have a large impact on the genre".

Tolkien fits meaning 1 for many folks. However, it's fitting into meaning 2 is pretty much undeniable - whether or not you like him, his influence on the fantasy genre is plain.

Martin's "Song of Fire and Ice" is a pretty darned good read, I won't deny it. However, the series isn't even finished yet, so it's impact is indeterminate. Maybe others will take up Martin's style, or maybe the books will become merely another series in a sea of paperbacks.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Your friend is right, you DO have bad taste.

Other than their appeal to kids-- getting kids to read is a good thing, and getting them into fantasy is even better-- Rowling's books have basically no literary merit.

I mean, really...


Wulf

 

[Neo]

apart from those already mentioned I'd have to give a thumbs up for

Anne McCaffrey's Dragon Rider of Pern books

Also David Gemmel (numerous, the King Beyond the Gate springs to mind as a particular favourite).

Also Elizabeth Moons, Paksenarrion trilogy (those who like Paladins will love this).

Stephen Donaldson, Thomas Covenant books...

Michael moorcocks, Elric books (some not all)

and the list goes on...

 

[blackshirt5]

Also, Salvatore's Demon Wars books are pretty good.

The PLayer who said I had bad taste is gonna have a little meeting with Mr. Beholder In a Deep Pit filled With Spikes.