The Best Fantasy Authors of All Time

It is incredibly easy to get lost in an epic fantasy novel. In a world where there are no rules (and, if there are, they are regularly flouted by corrupt kings and devilish queens), readers expect the unexpected when dipping into a fantasy land, which forms part of the appeal.

For those new to the genre, fantasy can be a confusing, often inaccessible area of writing. However, with a bit of perseverance, fantasy delivers layers upon layers of character depth along with amazing settings, creating a fantastic bond between novel and reader.

Here are a few authors that compile Amazon UK’s most popular fantasy author list.

George R. R. Martin

George R. R. Martin’s ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series is the current leading set of fantasy novels. Helped in part by HBO’s brilliant television series based on the novels, Martin has forged an incredible set of characters who follow a compelling story arc that twists and turns every chapter.

Following a set of high-born families (Stark, Lannister, Baratheon, Targaryen in the first novel) residing in the area of Westoros, A Song of Fire and Ice details the ever-twisting battle for power as each family attempts to cement their right to the throne. Spanning across seven volumes, with more in the pipeline, the series’ rich set of characters along with its harsh terrain makes the novels incredibly compelling.

As swords clash, arrows fly and armies come face-to-face, it is recommended not to get too attached to certain characters as Martin enjoys an unexpected death or two. No-one is safe in the world of Westeros!

J. R. R. Tolkien

With the movie versions of Tolkien’s famous novels, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, hitting the silver screen the past few years, it is fair to say that Tolkien has never been so popular. The movies’ success, however, is mainly down to Tolkien’s fantastic source material - He created a wondrous land - Middle-Earth - that is fun to explore. Combining a simply story arc with a strong narrative helps the reader form an emotional connection and Tolkien does this aplomb.

From the detestable wizard Saruman the White to the whimsy of Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took, Tolkien has created a set of characters across the whole of Middle-Earth that makes readers laugh out loud or feel an undying hatred towards their evil actions.

Tolkien’s posthumous works, The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales, are also set in the Middle-Earth universe so the fun need not end when the final page of Return of the King is complete.

Robert Jordan

Robert Jordan aka. James Oliver Rigney Jr. is the author of one of the most well loved fantasy novels of all time. The Wheel of Time series, which spans fourteen novels, is an epic series that features a massive cast of characters along with a penchant for magic spells and systems.

The Wheel of Time series is a tough read and not for the faint-of-hearted or easily distracted. There’s a lot of complicated names and areas to remember. However, if you’re able to keep up with the lore, you’ll find one of the most rewarding fantasy novels out there. It’s a fourteen volume series so don’t expect be finished overnight, but such is the intrigue and enthrall created by the books, you won’t want to put them down.

Author Bio:

Louis Sharman is an avid blogger and writes for a plethora of subjects ranging from book reviews to suggesting the importance of e-books in modern culture. He lives in London, UK and enjoys reviewing the most recent books of sports. He is also an amateur photographer and has a great collection of photography books. You can connect him on Google+