[wastra]

Favorite authors (in order)

Tolkien- the King

George R.R. Martin- His latest books are the most original and well written stories I've read in about 10 years.

Robert Jordan- Getting a little worried about WoT...it seems to be meandering a bit, but still keeps me glued to the pages from cover to cover.

[Cellandros]

Right now, I'd have to say Robin Hobb is the author who has impressed me most over that last few year, and right now I would list her very high on my list of favs.

She, like so many great authors, has a wonderful ability to create main characters you care about. Characters that come to life in vivid color. Villians that you can't wait for them to suffer their downfall. Its been a long time since I've seen someone write characters as well as this.

[Merry]

I think my favourites at the moment are:
Melanie Rawn - I can't wait for her next EXILES book,
Tad Williams
and above all Tolkien, I have read his LORs over 10 times and always find something new.

[Cellandros]

Melanie Rawn is a wonderful author. Again, she's one of the masters at creating memorable characters and then weaving a great story around them.

I've held off on reading Exiles because I want three novels to read consecutively. I hope the third will come out soon. Heard she's had health problems (back surgery?) that have delayed her writing a bit. Does anyone know how she's doing and any projected release dates for the next novel?

[Gooch]

As it stands right now, I've gotta go with George R. R. Martin, and Melanie Rawn. Not just because I've just finished their books either! Both have great character building skills. I've also found myself constantly searching and hoping that I'll find something somewhere that says, 'Hey, their next books are coming out next week!' Any author that has me hoping soooo....bad for the next book, is a damn good author in my book!

I've also found myself falling into epics that have a lot of politics at play, and large scale wars, which both authors work in very well. Melanie isn't quite to the large scale war in the Exiles yet, but I have a feeling she will! George's mastery at battle scenes is just amazing!

Okay. I'm done!

[Ogrim]

My favorite author is Terry Brooks. The Shannara series is my favorite series (I cant wait til Ilse Witch comes out!!). I can't really pinpoint the reason why I like Terry Brooks' writing so much. I love his characters a lot..that may be it. His battle scenes are the best I've read..that may be it. I also like the way he puts his stories together. I think he plans it all out really well, because in the end, the way everything ties together is fantastic! I'm reading Robert Jordan right now. I think he is also a great writer. A good friend of mine (who has read many many many fantasy books) tells me that Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn books are the best he has ever read. So I plan to read his books after WoT.

[This message has been edited by Ogrim (edited April 30, 2000).]

[Eventine]

I must say at one time I would have said Terry Brroks - after reading the Shannara books for the first time I thought they were excellent. After re-reading them again I can see how formulaic they are. His Demon series however, has definitely put him back up there as my favourite.

[Eventine]

I must say at one time I would have said Terry Brroks - after reading the Shannara books for the first time I thought they were excellent. After re-reading them again I can see how formulaic they are. His Demon series however, has definitely put him back up there as my favourite.

[Dubious one]

Ray Fiest-cos of his universe/baby/experiment theory..
I LOVE the way his mind works.

[Elena, Daughter of Lena]

Dandan, I'm with you all the way: Stephen R. Donaldson is way out in front of any other fantasy/sci fi author I've ever read -- and I've read very, very many over the past twenty years. I was so surprised to see anyone else out there choose him as their favorite also. I re-read the Chronics of Thomas Covenant (and the Second Chronicles) in the same manner that everyone else re-reads Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (another near-perfect author!).