top ten favorite fantasy authors

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 |
Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we all get to exercise our OCD tendencies and come up with bookish lists.  If you’d like to play along, check out this post.



Today’s directive was to come up with a top ten of favorite authors in X genre.  I chose to list my favorite fantasy authors (big surprise there, eh?).  A note: this isn’t a list of favorite books, it’s a list of authors I auto-buy, favorites for life, and old standbys.  Basically, my comfort zone.

Top Ten Favorite Fantasy Authors

1. Robin McKinley – There was a time when I equated fairy tales with fantasy.  McKinley’s beautiful books certainly contributed to that, I can honestly say that I have loved (or at least severely liked) everything she’s written.

2. Neil Gaiman – Mr. Gaiman is a genius.  Enough said.

3. Diana Wynne Jones – The late Diana wrote many books of fantasy, and I’m slowly making my way through them and savoring the experience.  Personal favorites?  The Merlin Conspiracy and Howl’s Moving Castle.

4. Garth Nix – The Abhorsen Series is exquisite.  His middle grade Troubletwisters and Keys to the Kingdom series are delightful.  Mr. Nix can’t write books fast enough to suit me.

5. Patricia McKillip – If lyrical high fantasy is your thing, you need to read McKillip.

6. Holly Black – Who writes compulsively readable fantasy for all ages? Holly Black.  The author of the Spiderwick Chronicles and (my favorite) the Curse Workers books always seems to have a new trick up her sleeve.

7. Charles de Lint – I came to de Lint’s writing through his Jack of Kinrowan fairy tale retelling, and I stayed for dark urban fantasy.

8. J.K. Rowling – I dare anyone of my generation to read these books and not fall in love with Hogwarts.  I will certainly follow Rowling into whatever world she creates in the future.

9. Patricia C. Wrede – Whether you prefer swords and sorcery, Victorian England, the western wilds of America or worlds unknown, Wrede has written fantasy to fit your taste. 

10. Catherynne M. Valente – The author who wrote September into being has also published adult novels, short stories, novellas – everything you can imagine.  And it’s all good. 

Honorable Mention: Sarah Rees Brennan – I liked The Demon’s Lexicon, but Brennan’s latest, Unspoken, really got to me.  One of the best books of the year, and it’ll cement her as a must-buy for the future!

Who are your favorite fantasy authors?

16 comments:

carol said...

I get to see Gaiman speak in November. I can't wait!

Nicole said...

I love Gaiman and Rowling! Valente's good, too. :)

Tanya Patrice said...

I've only read 1 book by Gaiman, but I definitely want to read more. Thanks for this list - I'm a beginning fantasy addict, so it's nice to know which authors to start with :-)

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

I love Gaiman and I've been meaning to read Charles de Lint for so long!

Tales of Whimsy said...

Agreed on Neil!

Farah said...

Hmm... Can't argue with JK Rowling. Great list! :D

Here's my Top 10

Liviania said...

Great list that I can't argue with.

fakesteph said...

I haven't tried a lot of these authors, but I definitely agree on JK Rowling, Holly Black, and Garth Nix.

Unknown said...

Man, if I'd made a list it would look an awful lot like that. McKillip is an auto-buy for me and McKinley is just brilliant. I've never read Sarah Rees Brennan, though, but apparently now I'll have to make sure to give her a shot.

kayerj said...

tooo many to list. You have a nice list today. kaye—the road goes ever ever on

Angela @ Reading Angels said...

I do not read enough fantasy! I need to expand out in that genre! I'll be checking out a few on your list!

Test said...

Fantasy is one of those genres that I always mean to read more of but never get around to it. However, I think I'm going to check out some of these authors for sure! By the way, Holly Black is one of my favorite authors too.

Mel@Thedailyprophecy said...

You have some great names on your list! :D

TTT fairytales authors @thedailyprophecy.

Ryan said...

Mercedes Lackey, Robert Jordan, Melanie Rawn, David Eddings, Terry Brooks, and for the sheer beauty of his prose, Guy Gavriel Kay.

Cecelia said...

Ryan: I can't believe I forgot Mercedes Lackey! She's definitely in my top ten. This is what happens when I don't have my bookcase in front of me... *headdesk*

Chinoiseries said...

Great list :) My favourites would include Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman and Guy Gavriel Kay.

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