Its a hard choice for me, here's my "hot now" list!
Rated by 1 to 5 's.
Robin Hobb--- Creator of Fitz-Chivalry, The Fool, and Nevarre. This woman writes fantasy novels like a man would, only more subtle and character enthralling. The way she torments the main characters with "real" issues is refreshing and enduring. The "romance" between The Fool and Fitz is something I still cannot shake from memory.
R.A. Salvatore--- Creator of Drizzt, Entreri, Elbryan, Pony, De'Unnero, and many, many more! The way he describes the martial actions taking place is spellbinding. You can actualy SEE Drizzt's two scimitars in action, because of the absolute acuracy in which Rob Salvatore write's it down. Ho, Ho, what?!
Terry Goodkind--- Creator of The Lord Rahl, and all of his followers/detractors. This man writes out the theologies of good vs evil in a way to gives the reader a real sense of the meaning that life will eventualy end, probably painfully, too. I love his series, though I am grateful that the end of it is finaly approaching, only because I want to see what he does with a fresh crop of inspiration. Lord Rahl guide us...
Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman--- OK, I know, I might have overrated these two by placing them on the "hot now" list, because lately their books fail to captivate me as they used too. But I had to include them on my list, mainly because I have Raistlin Tattoo'ed on my arm!!!!!! And, oh, how I loved my Raistlin. Because of him I always threw down my die in D&D as a Wizard!!
George R.R. Martin--- Creator of more characters in one series than I can even fathom. There is an appendix in the back of every book in case you cannot remember them. This man keeps it real! His books are what I envision my MTW2 to be; Bloody, sinister, vengeful, distainful, sensuous, venomous, and heart-wrenching. OOH-RAH!
Sara Douglas & Elizabeth Hayden--- I grouped these two together because they are so similar, I have a constant need of reading some fantasy and picked up on these two while waiting on various hardbacks from my fav's to be released. Sara Douglas had a good thing going, to begin with. But, I think that her Starman saga ended far later than it should have; though, so far only Goodkind has been able to continue an epic story beyond 5 books and keep me anticipating his next. Hayden, on the other hand, has been hard at her saga. And I must say, I am still very interested in following Achmed and Rhapsody.
Gregory Keyes--- This man has somehow added a Southern' flair to a fantasy series, also included some spanish and italian flair. Its really good, and really new to the fantasy scene. If you want to read about some brash young damsel-seeking rapier stabbing man, or an over-forty bow twanging heart broken yet cradle robbing ranger on a mission... then pick this series up, its well worth it.
Tad Williams--- Just started reading from this author, all I can say is that his books or worth getting them in hardback. Me, I can never wait for a paperback any way, Amazon loves me.
Takashi Matsuoka & James Clavell--- This is more historical than fantasy, though fiction-direven. James put Japan's samurai's on the map with his timeless novel "Shogun" and Takashi has taken the torch with "Cloud of Sparrows" and "Autumn Bridge." If you don't read these three novels then there is something seriously wrong with you. Hands down Shogun is one of the best novels I have EVER read, take my word for it.
Well, theres my author list now here's my top five fantasy novels read, to date:
1: Golden Fool, by Robin Hobb
2: Shogun, by James Clavell
3: Wizards First Rule, by Terry Goodkind
4: A Storm of Swords, by George R.R. Martin
5: The Demon Apostle, by R.A. Salvatore
I don't just read here and there, if I fall for an authors stories, I collect ALL of their books, in hardback. If its my first book from a new Author, I'll get a paperback first, if I decide to pursue them further, I get all hardbacks from there-on-out.
Check out one of my bookshelves! I support non-reading ppl and loan my prized books occasionaly (not my autographed copy of Robin Hobbs "Fools Fate" though)... nvr to be returned, sad, but a worthy contribution if one day they actualy decide to read them.
EDIT: you won't see any of my Bible's on the shelf because I've got about 5 of them scattered throughout my house. If you don't have a "Thompsons Chain-Reference NKJ or KJ" study bible then you realy need to get you one.
And, finaly, heres my two future bookworms... my little Carroll kids!
Please post responses if you love fantasy. You might provide a good book for me to read, so suggest one, I BEG YOU!