Can anyone recommend some good heroic/epic fantasy authors?

Question

I'm a big fan of David Gemmell, David Eddings, and George R. R. Martin. I would like to find some other good authors that are in the genre. Not really interested in Brooks, Asimov, and Robert Jordan, but any other suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

I'm a big fan of Martin and Eddings, too - and just learned about Gemmell from you. (Thanks) Martin's books were the first epic fantasy series that I truly loved in years; so consider them the 'A+' on my rating scale below. Yes, I have been looking for the same heroic / epic fantasy authors you are looking to find...

I recently read Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy and really enjoyed it. It was a very good read until the last 1/4 of the third book. (B+/A-)

After that series, I bought Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders books and found them to be very creative, but tedious in plotline development. Maybe my hopes were too high after the Farseer Trilogy (C)

I've enjoyed Paul S. Kemp's work - especially the Erevis Cale Trilogy. Not super heavy reading, but creative enough that it kept me rolling along at a good reading clip. (B+)

R.A. Salvatore's "War of the Spider Queen" series falls into the good clean semi-mindless fun category. The five books were written by five different authors; so the plotline takes off on some odd tangents. Regardless, I set my expectations lower than average and found it to be a good enough story. (B-)

R.A. Salvatore had a great series started with the Dark Elf Trilogy, but it all turned to corporate mush and egotistical rambling after that. (Like a lot of cr@p in the Forgotten Realms catalogue.) Grab the Dark Elf Trilogy if you have not read it yet. (B+)

I have Greg Keyes' "The Briar King" sitting off to the side from another recommendation. I cannot give it a rating yet, but it is worth checking out his writings.

'Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Some of my personal favorites are R.A. Salvatore Dark elf books, Elaine Cunningham's forgotten realms books, Anne mccafrey's pern books, Age of Conan series (heretic of Set don't remember the author), and also check out the warhamer books. Just a couple of suggestions but the supply is endless. Also have heard that Anne rice has wrote some good fantasy novels as well as her sister Alice Borchardt. Well good look and Good hunting. Hope fully one day I'll be in some list's like this. Check out my myspace site (http://www.myspace.com/caves_of_the_underdark). Check my blogs I am about to start posting chapters of a book I am working on about the origins of the Drow elves. Just be warned this is my first attempt at it so I'm not going to promise it will be a masterpiece like Lord of the rings.

Answer 3

I can suggest the Dragonlance books, there's over a hundred of them by lots of different authors......among which are Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. You might also try Lord Valentine's Castle, by Robert Silverberg. I like Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover series, and Anne McCaffrey's Pern books......although I'm not sure those are exactly what you'd call "epic" fantasy.

Answer 4

Dennis McKiernan, David Weber, Raymond Feist, Jane Lindskold, the late Roger Zelazny, Edmond Thompson, John Ringo, Eric Flint, to name a few. Have fun, happy reading!

Answer 5

Hi there. I'm the author of a new medieval fantasy series that you might like. The title of the first episode is THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY. It's 445 pages of action, adventure, magic, mystery and mayhem. If you are a fan of Conan, LOTR or Harry Potter books, this is one you'll enjoy. A Hollywood producer said it was, "Like Braveheart meets Lord of the Rings." (See other comments & reviews below.)

Good luck, whatever you decide to read!

Jon F. Baxley (Author, Editor, Ghostwriter and Proofreader)

THE SCYTHIAN STONE (eBook only)
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (eBook and hard cover)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (coming fall '07)

Major Media Reviews:

Publishers Weekly

STARRED Review. A fast pace, sly humor, amusing dialogue and a richly researched background lift Baxley's fantasy, the first of a new series set in medieval Britain. When Merlin's long-ago apprentice Kruzurk Makshare (aka the Boozer) receives a dreamlike visitation from the legendary mage, he learns he must destroy another former apprentice, the villainous Seed of Cerberus. To do so will require a visit to the demon-guarded Blackgloom Keep. Enter young Daynin McKinnon, who discovers a curious rune-covered headstone, which may be the fabled Blackgloom Bounty, and brings it to Kruz's attention. Kruz believes it will provide entry into the fortress, while Daynin hopes the sale of the stone will restore his family's fortunes. The colorful cast of good guys and ne'er-do-wells includes the Pictish ghost of Brude McAlpin liberated from his tomb, assorted pursuing Caledonians and a bemused Prior Bede, whose monastery serves as a hiding place for the Blackgloom Bounty. Suitable for fantasy enthusiasts of all ages.

Library Journal
"This series opener...is a good choice for fans of epic-style sagas and Scottish history."

Harriet Klausner, Amazon's #1 Ranked Reviewer!
"This terrific medieval fantasy...will elate readers for its fast-paced, action-thrilled story line starring a strong cast."

Nancy McCulloch, PRWEB Article, March 20, 2006
"Two thumbs up for a colorful cast of characters, nonstop, rapid-fire action and compelling storyline!"

Fantasybookspot.com Review by Tyler, Febuary 2006
"Taking place in Medieval Scotland, this tale of magic, adventure and love really captured my attention..."

Answer 6

Try Jack Whyte's series of novels on the Arthurian legend. He takes the story back to its probable early roots, and weaves a very realistic, yet still magical, pseudohistory of Arthur and his knights. A real lesson in late Roman daily life in Britain, and incredibly readable!

Answer 7

I'm not a huge fan of the genre, but I've really enjoyed books by Guy Gavriel Kay.

Answer 8

I was going to suggest David Eddings. J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings is awesome, too.

Answer 9

Try Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy... Ignore all the romance crap she wrote though... the other is pretty good.