Favorite fantasy author

[Teraswaerto]

Sorry to say, but Eddings is quite possibly the worst fantasy writer in existence (though I've heard that Mercedes Lackey is even worse, I've not had the displeasure of reading her stuff myself). The same (not particularly good & horribly cliched to boot) plot and identical characters only with new names in book after another.

[Arryn]

Endoperez,

It just goes to show you how plodding and relatively disorganized Jordan's books are that you can cut one in half or a third and not notice that the book has ended abruptly at a point where it shouldn't. Most of his books just end as if the publisher decided that it had enough chapters to go to print and any more must wait until the next installment. If I had written stories in college (for my creative writing classes) as Jordan does, I'd have failed. Not for the substance of the writing, but for the lack of plotline advancement. Jordan simply fails to grasp the (related) concepts of "getting to the point" and "too much of a good thing".

With regards to Hobb's Tawny Man trilogy (sequel to the Assassin trilogy), it's excellent writing but probably not quite as enjoyable for the simple reason that (I at least) found the story of the main character growing up (and being trained) to be fascinating. I think the sequel trilogy (which is quite good, Hobb is incapable of mediocre writing) would have been better if it had been written from the point of view of a student of Fitz, placing Fitz into role-reversal from that of the first trilogy. But I suppose that two trilogies of assassin training would probably have been too much.

I love the Eddings characters. They're memorable. But Eddings also suffers from a (much) milder case of the disease that afflicts Jordan: not getting to the point quickly enough, and too much of a good thing. At least, unlike Jordan, he does get there. Eventually. Eddings' books also have more action in them, so while they do ramble, it's not as tedious as reading Jordan.

[ January 22, 2004, 14:32: Message edited by: Arryn ]

[Endoperez]

Originally posted by Teraswaerto:
Sorry to say, but Eddings is quite possibly the worst fantasy writer in existence (though I've heard that Mercedes Lackey is even worse, I've not had the displeasure of reading her stuff myself). The same (not particularly good & horribly cliched to boot) plot and identical characters only with new names in book after another.

He was one of the first fantasy writers I read, so I didn't know the clices. Besides, I would say he has come up with atleast 4 plots for his 20+ books. One for Belgariad/Mallorean, one for Elenium/Tamul and one for Althalus, and I counted Belgarath/ Polgara as fourth because so much new happens in them. The characters between the stories also change quite a lot. I'm not saying they would be very good, but atleast they are different... Sparhawk has little common with /Bel)Garion, and the closest thing I can think of is Talen/ Silk. But I haven't thought about that, so I jsut might not have noticed...

[Arryn]

Originally posted by Teraswaerto:
Sorry to say, but Eddings is quite possibly the worst fantasy writer in existence (though I've heard that Mercedes Lackey is even worse, I've not had the displeasure of reading her stuff myself). The same (not particularly good & horribly cliched to boot) plot and identical characters only with new names in book after another.

You do have valid points about Eddings. The Sparhawk novels, while decent, would have been better if I'd never read the Belgariad and Mallorien. And while I think the Redemption of Athalus is great, the characters are, indeed, cliched, and the plot is a condensation of the same thing as in his multi-volume series. It's still a fun read though.

Lackey is awful. 'Nuff said.

[BuayaDarat]

I voted for other - Robert E Howard

[rabelais]

Originally posted by Jasper:
Guy Gavriel Kay and Glen Cook were also notably missing, IMHO.

Hear! Hear!

Fionavar was the best ever and The Black Company is still strangely addictive.

(Bring back the Limper!)

Also various Authors named Ian and one with the Last name of Zelazny. And Ursula LeGuin. Duh.

For a certain demographic Rowling might also have been included. Andre Norton anyone?

Oh and technically McCaffrey, though none for me thanks!


Rabe the Increasingly Curmudgeonly and Adverbially Momentous (whew!)

It's really impossible to name them all... who is this Martin everyone has a shrine to?

[Jasper]

I like Guy Kay's historical fantasy best, but definitely agree about The Black Company books -- like the game Myth, only better.

I'd somehow forgot Ursula LeGuin (Earthsea) and Michael Moorcock (Elric), two more of my Favorites! A quick scan over my books also finds Lord Dunsany (King of Elfland's Daughter), Robert Holdstock (Mythago Wood), and Barry Hughart (Bridge of Birds).

I've also a shine for several "graphic novel" authors, notably Neil Gaiman (Sandman, Stardust), Jim Fitzpatrick (Book of Conquests), and Mark Smylie (Artesia).