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I was at a Christmas party last month when I got into a conversation with a friend about books (one of my favorite conversations to have). We were talking mostly about young adult books and fantasy when she asked me who I thought the best fantasy authors were. I gave a quick rundown, but now that I have had a chance to think about it, I have a more solid list I’d like to present.
J.K. Rowling—No one can contend with the popularity of the Harry Potter series. Nearing thirty years since its publication, the story of a young wizard boy is still celebrated around the world as perhaps the best-selling children’s series of all time. Rowling weaved together intense worldbuilding, deep characterization, and timeless themes to create something that the world may never see again. Indeed, her series can be called nothing less than “magical” and “fantastical.”
J.R.R. Tolkien—The granddaddy of the fantasy genre, Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is the blueprint for nearly every fantasy author that has come after. Tolkien created an entire world with lore and history upon history, creating a narrative of good and evil that has resonated with thousands of hearts over the past seventy years. Without Tolkien, the modern fantasy genre would very likely not exist.
C.S. Lewis—Known for his Christian writings such as Mere Christianity, Lewis was also a devout lover of myths and fairy tales. So, it is no surprise that he produced The Chronicles of Narnia, a series that has impacted many children (and adults) for many years. He is also renowned for his Space Trilogy and his retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche, Till We Have Faces, which happens to be in my top ten books of all time.
Neil Gaiman—Though his writing is usually hit or miss for me, it’s difficult to deny the great mark that Gaiman has left on the world of fantasy. Writing everything from comics to children’s books to adult novels, Gaiman has woven together creative tales of a child being raised in a graveyard (The Graveyard Book), a young man hunting down a fallen star (Stardust), and his reimagining of Norse Myths (Norse Mythology).
Brandon Sanderson—Though I haven’t read a complete book by him, my fiancé, and many others, swear by Sanderson as being a great storyteller. His world-building is impeccable, and the numbers don’t lie when you look at how many books he has sold. Mistborn, Elantris, and Nightblood are just some of the books he’s written that he’s known for, and he’s also respected for finishing Robert Jordan’s lengthy Wheel of Time series. Hopefully one day I can find the time to finish one of his books and see what all of the hype is about.
Did your favorite fantasy author make it onto this list? Do you have one that you would add? Send me an email and let me know at dbcorderwriter@gmail.com.
