Fantasy
Fantasy novels, like science fiction, take place in another reality. And while the two are often grouped together, they are really quite different. In science fiction there is always a technical explanation for what is happening, even if that technology has not yet been invented; however, in fantasy, that explanation always lies in some form of magic or enchantment.
Fantasy novels are based in magic, myths, legends and fairy tales. They take elements of the familiar and mix them with elements of the fantastical; as a result, they are filled with fairies, magic, sorcery, dragons and enchantments of various kinds. Fantasy novels also usually involve some variation of good against evil— or the light against the dark. In fact, Barbara Hambly’s Darwath trilogy (beginning with the Time of the Dark) takes the concept of light against dark quite literally. Part of the appeal of fantasy is not only the escape from reality they provide, but also that good generally triumphs over evil.
Fantasy Authors
- Shana Abe
- Kelley Armstrong
- Piers Anthony
- Emily Croy Barker
- Anne Bishop
- James Blaylock
- Paula Brackston
- Marion Zimmer Bradley
- Patricia Briggs
- Terry Brooks
- Steven Brust
- Lois McMaster Bujold
- Jim Butcher
- C.J. Cherryh
- Glen Cook
- Charles de Lint
- Stephen Donaldson
- David Drake
- Dave Duncan
- Glen Duncan
- David Eddings
- Raymond Feist
- Neil Gaiman
- David Gemmell
- Terry Goodkind
- Simon Green
- Barbara Hambly
- Laurell K Hamilton
- Deborah Harkness
- Elizabeth Haydon
- Tracy Hickman
- Robin Hobb
- Tanya Huff
- Robert Jordan
- Guy Gavriel Kay
- Katharine Kerr
- Katherine Kurtz
- Mercedes Lackey
- Steve Lawhead
- George Martin
- Anne McCaffrey
- Dennis McKiernan
- Patricia McKillip
- L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
- Elizabeth Moon
- Michael Moorcock
- Terry Pratchett
- Melanie Rawn
- Mickey Zucker Reichert
- Joel Rosenberg
- J.K. Rowling
- R.A. Salvatore
- Brandon Sanderson
- Jon Sprunk
- Robert Stanek
- Mary Stewart
- J.R.R. Tolkien
- Margaret Weis
- Martha Wells
- T.H. White
- Tad Williams