[Nocturnaloner]

First of all, hi. I'm new to this forum. Be gentle.

Let me come right out and say that I don't read much of what is considered fantasy. In my ever so humble opinion, most of it stinks. A quick scan at the book store usually reveals one of two depressing trends: On one hand, you've got targeted and marketed 'girlie fantasy', usually written by female authors about plucky yet beautiful female protagonists who meet dashing rogues who... etc. etc.. Then you've got Epic Tomes, whose every bloated page of faux-Arthurian/wanna-be Tolkienesque history and lineage is calculated toward being the Next Big Thing, with no thought toward such paltry matters as telling a good story. As far as I've been able to tell, that about covers most fantasy as we know it.

But there are exceptions.

The most notable example of late has been Guy Gavriel Kay. The man can flat-out write. Characters that make and break stereotypes, romance and high emotion without cloying, and battle scenes that kick ass. A firm grip on the earthy and the sublime.

I realize that the very nature of this post will probably ulneash a torrent of those who want to complain about how overrated he is, but hey, it's a public forum.

For those who agree with me, who do you think is just as good? Who do you think is better?

Popular authors who I think are mediocre: Brooks, Feist, Jordan.

Favorite fantasy authors aside from the obvious: Stephen R. Donaldson, Dan Simmons, Tad Williams.

Haveatcha.

[lukaspriest]

You gotta throw George R. R. Martin in there.

The most cool characters one could ever imagine (Tyrion, need I say more?), character development (Dany), absolutely entertaining dialogue ("I will not have my son bedecked like a whore!"), bloody battles that would give Hollywood a run for its money (BlackWater), subtle magic, fierce political intrigue, warring houses, and a legion known as the Night's Watch. These books are hands down the best I've ever read (those books including, but not limited to Tolkien, Jordan, Hobb, Marco, Erikson, Goodkind, Friedman, Card). Long live Martin.

[This message has been edited by lukaspriest (edited May 07, 2002).]

[e-Morgana]

Oh Qiiiiiiinnnnnnn!!!!!

I think someone's calling you. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Alucard]

As always, I reccomend Niel Gaiman. His stories are nothing like Kay's, and neither is his writing style, but American Gods and Neverewhere are brilliant nonetheless. They are what's often labeled as "contemporary fantasy," meaning, modern day rather than psuedo-medieval. His imagination, settings, characters, and analogies are very unique, and both of the books stuck with me long after I'd finished them. Give him a shot. You might be very happy that you did.

[Caly]

I'd highly recommend Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey (can't recommend the sequel yet, since I'm still waiting for amazon to ship it).

I was very unsure about the book b/c it is technically about an S&M whore/spy, but that is putting the worst possible spin on the book. There is actually surprisingly little sex, though the book is certainly not for young readers.

The writing style is just amazing. Beautiful, lyrical, wry. . . just plain wonderful. Easily on par with GGK, and I'm not saying that lightly since as you say "that man can write".

Also, you might want to try Inversions by Iain Banks. It reminded me a lot of GGK in writing style, and even somewhat in plot, though it has a unique edge.

Hope that helps. I also agree that a lot of fantasy is just mediocre, including the ones you've listed. It's hard to find quality in any genre. So many books, so little time, so much medicrity.

Caleyna http://www.fantasyfreaks.org

[Shadowen]

Sean Russell's 'The One Kingdom' reminded me very much of Kay's writing style. Very lyrical and descriptive. Just my opinion of course, but maybe you should try him. The series is called 'The Swan's War' and book 2, Isle of Battle is due out later this year, iirc. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Barbarossa]

Guy Gavriel Kay is one of my three favorite fantasy authors.
One of the other two is George R. R. Martin, who was already reccomended above, so I second that. I also second the reccomendation for Gaiman, though the only thing the two have in common is that they are brilliant writers. Also Gaiman is even further away from classical cliched fantasy than Kay.
Another writer who reminds of Kay in some aspects is Kate Elliot. Like Kay she klings fairly closey to a historical perion, and then adds her own twist. At first her Crown of star series seems a bit like typical fantasy fare, but as you read on you will see the originality.

[horribleman]

I third the recommendation for George R R Martin.

Just in case you are wondering; the series to go for is a Song of Ice and Fire.

1 = A Game of Thrones
2 = A Clash of Kings
3 = A Storm of Swords

[Rob B]

I'd second the Sean Russell recommendation. The prose is similar and they both happen to be Canadian.

You've got pretty good taste, Nocturnaloner, Tad Williams is one of my favorite as is Donaldson.

I would suggest you hunt down a copy of Lord Dunsany's The King of Elfland's Daughter, the prose is just beautifully written. Superb fantasy.

I'd have to disagree with Caly on the Carey bit, to an extent. The writing style is similar, but I just was pretty bored by the second half of Kushiel's Dart.

[Qin]

Huh? Whazzat? I just finished my sophomore year of college, whaddayawant? Oh! Guy Gavriel Kay! Come, let me show you his goodness! He's a wonderful writer - probably the most literary in the genre.

While certainly I don't think that Sean Russell is nearly as skilled a writer as Kay, they're both high-brow literature in a genre that has become depressingly low-brow. Both have minimalistic writing styles that are a welcome change in an otherwise stagnant genre.

[Edit: Must pay attention to my grammar]

[This message has been edited by Qin (edited May 08, 2002).]