Despite what many may assume, and irrespective of the sheer number of books out there, Fantasy and Epic Fantasy are still burgeoning genres in fiction.
For centuries, writers constrained themselves to literary drama and kept clear of mythology but for a few allusions here and there. And then came Professor Tolkien, a linguist with a knack for names and an even greater gift for the imaginative, who, in his toil, started a movement that reconciled literary fiction with mythological storytelling and set the foundations for much of what we today refer to as speculative fiction.
Over the decades since the release of The Lord of the Rings, many writers have picked up the gauntlet and put their own spins on this ever-evolving genre. Picking 10 out of dozens and dozens of these brilliant wordsmiths and inspired storytellers is a bit of a grating task. Still, I think we can all agree that there are certain names whose legacy remains unforgettable when it comes down to it.
C. S. Lewis
The Chronicles of Narnia is one of the most influential fantasy book series ever. To say that Lewis has had a hand in shaping the genre storytelling landscape would be a huge understatement because the world of Narnia is now not only a gateway to children’s literature but also one of the most deliberative works of fiction. Many popular contemporary fantasy stories like The Magicians, Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, and Percy Jackson & the Olympians trace their roots to Lewis’ work in the early ‘60s.
Ursula K. Le Guin
Speaking of authors who themselves have helped define a whole generation of storytellers, Ursula K. Le Guin deserves a spot on this list for her many contributions to the genre through The Earthsea Cycle. Her novel A Wizard of Earthsea, now considered a classic of adventure fantasy, is the perfect blend of traditional fantasy (alluding to Tolkien) tropes and modern sociopolitical elements. Neil Gaiman has repeatedly cited the award-winning novelist and poet as a huge influence on his craft, while many other great names like Margaret Atwood, N. K. Jemisin, and Patrick Rothfuss haven’t been far behind in heaping praise on K. Le Guin’s enormous legacy.
George R.R. Martin
There have been many worldbuilders and storytellers after Tolkien, but George R.R. Martin is one of the few who seems to have it all: A knack for crafting fictional places and histories, mastery of prose that comes off as neither flowery nor bland, and the capacity to come up with extremely compelling characters. All of that has turned Game of Thrones and the world of Westeros into one of the most influential works of fantasy in the past few decades. And sure, much to the dissatisfaction of his enormous fanbase, Martin has yet to bring the series to a conclusion, but that by no means diminishes his influence on the genre. Some creatives certainly take their time getting there, but there’s no denying that the wait is worth it when they do.
Brandon Sanderson
If there’s one name out there who has been as influential as Martin, if not more, it’s the prolific and relentless writing machine who goes by the name of Brandon Sanderson. As the creator of such highly acclaimed works as Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive, the last three Wheel of Time books, and dozens of other praised novels, Sanderson is currently the king and champion of the Epic Fantasy genre. Sanderson is known for his intricate worldbuilding, complex magic systems, nuanced characters, and gob-smacking twists. He’s also the one fantasy author you can trust to always deliver his sequels on schedule.
Neil Gaiman
Known for popular books like Stardust, Coraline, American Gods, Good Omens, and The Sandman comic series, Neil Gaiman is one of the most prominent figures of literary fiction right now. Gaiman is often praised for his versatility in weaving together different genres, his talent for lyrical and deeply allusive prose, and his massive influence on pop culture. Many of Gaiman’s works have been adapted into films, animations, television shows, and graphic novels. Gaiman’s self-described mission is to “make good art,” and he’s been at it for as long as he’s been able to hold a pen.
Robert Jordan
There are a lot of similarities between Robert Jordan and J. R. R. Tolkien. Both were veterans of a vicious war, Tolkien in the trenches of World War I and Jordan in the unforgiving deltas of Vietnam. Both filled the void left by that terrible experience through telling stories. Both have been credited as heralds and pioneers of the Epic Fantasy genre. Perhaps it would be no hyperbole to suggest that Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time was the true heir to The Lord of the Rings and the most popular work in the genre until J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter took the world by storm. Even now, The Wheel of Time remains the perfect bridge between J. R. R. Tolkien’s traditional take on mythology and George R. R. Martin and many other contemporaries’ newer, grimmer spin on the genre. Indeed, in many ways, The Wheel of Time features the best of both worlds.
J. K. Rowling
These days, Rowling is a figure of controversy, engulfed in the culture war raging between conservatives and liberals, but there was a time when everyone with a love for fantasy and the speculative genre had become obsessed with her story of The Boy Who Lived. With over 500 million sales, Harry Potter is still the best-selling fantasy book series of all time, and Rowling’s Wizarding World remains a sensational escapist abode for its dedicated community. Granted, the story may have been derivative to some extent, but there’s no arguing the magic of Harry Potter is still very much real, nor is there any doubt that Rowling has changed the game forever.
Patrick Rothfuss
The idea of The Kingkiller Chronicle was to come up with a fantasy story that not only combines elements from different subgenres but also renovates them in inventive ways. It took Patrick Rothfuss more than ten years to finish drafting and revising The Name of the Wind, but all of that toil was well worth it for a book that became a sensational hit in the Epic Fantasy community. The tale of Kvothe Kingkiller is chock full of emotion, adventure, wisdom, and folly, and Rothfuss’ flowery prose guarantees a reading experience unlike anything you’ve come across before. We could criticize Rothfuss for failing to release the third and final book in the series through all these years — and rightly so — but there’s no denying that The Kingkiller Chronicle will go down as one of the most influential works of Epic Fantasy and on a larger scale, fiction.
Robin Hobb
Serving as a huge influence on many contemporaries like Rothfuss, George R.R. Martin, and Brandon Sanderson, Robin Hobb remains a behemoth of the genre thanks to his Realm of the Elderlings series, more famously known as the Farseer saga. Robin’s prose is powerful and enchanting, her character work is incredibly compelling and driven, and her themes are dark and contemplative. The Farseer Trilogy might remind you of some of the best qualities in Game of Thrones, but the series as a whole has much more to offer. Be forewarned, though; where Hobb treads, unspeakable, heart-rending tragedy is not far behind.
J. R. R. Tolkien
When talking about the greatest authors in the history of speculative storytelling, you can’t fail to include J.R.R. Tolkien — and not merely for spearheading the literary movement. Even now, no author has managed to soar quite as high as Tolkien did regarding worldbuilding. What the Oxford linguist professor did with his so-called “Legendarium” is the history of an entire universe mirroring our own. The story of creation, the song of Ainulindalë, the fall of Melkor, the tale of the Silmarils, the woes of Beren and Lúthien Tinúviel, the War of Wrath, the reappearance of Sauron, and lastly, the War of the Ring, all comprise a tale unlike any other.
