[HeroOfSin]

I've read the entire X-wing series by M. Stackpole. Excellent! His in depth battle tactics can keep you interested without boring you. A big plus in my opinion

[ethanx]

Tie between Goodkind and Donaldson. Goodkind because of the pure enjoyment of reading and the way you just live through his characters, and Donaldson because he is just amazing. Hopefully I will add Martin to this list, but it has only been 2 books, so when I get my UK copy of Storm of Swords this week I will know. Jordan used to be on my list but alas he went on a trip and no one knows where... lol

[FitzChivalry]

My favorite author is Rogrer Zelazny.
His books are very original, usually on the edge between sci fi and fantasy and his heroes are strong kickass characters that usually don't know what the hell is going on, but never let that interfere with their plans.

[Alex]

Why hasen't anybody mentioned David Gemmel.
He his in (my opinion at least) one of the finest heroic fantasy authors of all time.
His books are great. If you haven't read anything of David Gemmel before I suggest reading Legend.
Please note that I said heroic fantasy.

If you want my opinion on other great fantsy writers I would say:
Eddings Tolkien (of course!!)
Jordan David Farland
Martin Goodkind
Salvatore Elisabeth Moon
Brooks David Drake

Of these Tolkien, Martin, Eddings and Jordan are the elite!!

[cassandra]

What an amazingly difficult question.
My favorites?

Zelzany - For his 1st person writing style; I've never fully recovered from "This Immortal."
Donaldson - For everything after the Chronicles. That I could someday weave plot that deftly!
Gaiman - For being the antithesis of what every writer should be.
Tepper - For making me wake up and give cry to the clawing desperation, and reminding me that there is still hope.

[FitzChivalry]

Tepper??

[cassandra]

Sheri S. Tepper. I beleive her book "Grass" won an award, and so did "Beauty" (the Locus award for best fantasy novel). Tepper's books are extremely strong medicine. She worked for most of her life running a clinic for battered women, and most of her work explores the human condition. The "what-if?"s of our own folly, men and women alike. Her books can be gruesome and shocking and enlightening, and hopeful. I would recommend "Grass" (although it is sf, not fantasy) to start with, if you're interested.

[Darktemplar]

Wondering anyone read on Dennis L. McKiernan's novels.

1. Into the Forge
2. The dragonstone

Try them. Its good.

[Mick141]

I would probably have to say Terry Brooks. The Shannara series is my favorite and I enjoyed his other works, but his was the first book I ever read on my own for pleasure. I would hate to think what I would have missed had his books not been so captivating and hooked me on world of fantasy. I've read numerous other authors since that time but I always seem to come back to him......... But as a side note by far the best recent author I've had the chance to read is George R.R. Martin and his Song of Fire and Ice series.

[Shadowen]

My favourite authors at the moment are Robin Hobb, Robert Jordan, Kate Elliott, Tad Williams and George RR Martin. Lynn Flewelling's pretty good too (only read the first book tho) and Holly Lisle.

Can't bear Goodkind any more tho - what a complete waste of time Faith of the Fallen was! Utter rubbish, and I won't be buying any of his books again. What started out as an excellent series has degenerated into a 'capitalism good, communism bad' rant, with a porrly contrived story line and characters that are completely unsympathetic.

Ok, I'm done with my rant!