Notwithstanding popular belief and the vast quantity of books available, Fantasy and Epic Fantasy remain popular literature subgenres.
For millennia authors avoided mythology save in passing references and restricted themselves to literary play. Then along came Professor Tolkien, a linguist with a talent for names and an even greater gift for the creative, who through his labors laid the groundwork for much of what we now know to as speculative fiction and in the process created a movement that reconciled literary fiction with mythical narrative.
Many authors have taken up the challenge and added their own unique touches to this constantly changing genre in the decades after the publication of The Lord of the Rings. It may be annoying to have to choose only ten of these talented writers and motivating storytellers from a sea of talented ones. When it comes down to it, however, I believe we can all agree that there are certain names whose legacy endures.
Lewis, C. S.
A very influential fantasy book series is The Chronicles of Narnia . The realm of Narnia is today not just a doorway to children's literature but also one of the most thoughtful works of fiction, so to claim that Lewis has influenced the genre narrative landscape would be a major understatement. Lewis's early 1960s work served as the inspiration for a number of well-known modern fantasy novels, including The Magicians, Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, and Percy Jackson & the Olympians.
Le Guin, Ursula K.
As for writers who have themselves played a significant role in defining an entire generation of storytellers, Ursula K. Le Guin merits a place on this list due to her many contributions to the genre via : The Earthsea Cycle. Her book A Wizard of Earthsea, which is today regarded as an adventure fantasy classic, is the ideal fusion of classic fantasy (with a nod to Tolkien) with contemporary social themes. K. Le Guin's tremendous impact has been praised by many renowned authors, including Margaret Atwood, N. K. Jemisin, Patrick Rothfuss, and Neil Gaiman, who has often recognized the award-winning poet and novelist as a major influence on his work.
George R.R. Martin
After Tolkien, there were a lot of worldbuilders and storytellers, but George R.R. Martin is one of the select handful who seemed to have it all: a talent for creating fictitious settings and histories, a command of writing that avoids being too sentimental or cliché, and the ability to create very likable people. Because of all of that, Game of Thrones and the Westeros universe have become some of the most influential fantasy works of the last several decades. Indeed, Martin hasn't finished the series, much to the chagrin of his massive fan following, but it doesn't lessen his impact on the genre in the slightest. It's true that some creatives take their time to get things done, but when they do, the wait is well worth it.
Sanderson, Brandon
If any one person has influenced literature as much as or perhaps more than Martin, it is the prolific and unrelenting writer. He is known as Brandon Sanderson. Sanderson is presently the king and champion of the Epic Fantasy genre, having written several critically acclaimed novels, including Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive, the last three Wheel of Time volumes, and numerous others. Sanderson is renowned for his elaborate magic systems, deep worldbuilding, layered characters, and jaw-dropping turns of events. Additionally, you can always count on him as a fantasy author to release his sequels on time.
Neil Gaiman
Neil Gaiman is a well-known literary fiction author, best known for his widely read works such as Stardust, Coraline, American Gods, Good Omens, and The Sandman comic series. Gaiman is often recognized for his ability to skillfully combine many genres, his gift for poetic and profoundly suggestive writing, and his enormous impact on popular culture. A large number of Gaiman's writings have been turned into graphic novels, TV series, movies, and animations. Since he was old enough to grasp a pen, Gaiman has dedicated his life to what he calls "making good art."
Robert Jordan
J. R. R. Tolkien and Robert Jordan have a number of parallels. Jordan served in the harsh deltas of Vietnam, while Tolkien fought in the trenches of World War I. Both men were survivors of terrible conflicts. Both used tales to fill the gap created by that horrific event. Both have been recognized as the genre's forerunners and pioneers of Epic Fantasy. Saying that Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time was the real successor to The Lord of the Rings may not be too dramatic. and the most well-liked book in the genre prior to the global phenomenon that was J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter. Currently, The Wheel of Time continues to serve as the ideal link between the classic interpretation of mythology by J. R. R. Tolkien and the more contemporary, darker interpretations of the same genre by George R. R. Martin and several others. The Wheel of Time does, in fact, combine the finest aspects of both worlds in many ways.
Rowling, J. K.
There was a moment when everyone who loved fantasy and the speculative genre became enthralled with J.K. Rowling's narrative of The Boy Who Lived. However, Rowling is now a contentious figure caught up in the cultural battle between conservatives and liberals. With more than 500 million copies sold, J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World continues to be a fantastic haven for her devoted fan base, and Harry Potter is still the best-selling fantasy book series of all time. Though there is no denying that Rowling has altered the game forever and that the magic of Harry Potter is still very much genuine, the tale may have been rather derivative.
Patrick Rothfuss
The intention behind The Kingkiller Chronicle was to create a fantasy tale that creatively updates and blends aspects from many subgenres. The Name of the Wind took Patrick Rothfuss almost 10 years to complete, but the labor was well worth it as the book went on to become an enormous bestseller in the Epic Fantasy genre. The story of Kvothe Kingkiller is rife with passion, adventure, knowledge, and foolishness, and Rothfuss's beautiful writing style ensures that you will have a whole new reading experience. It is fair to criticize Rothfuss for delaying the publication of the third and final book in the series for so long, but there is no doubting that The Kingkiller Chronicle will be remembered as one of the most significant pieces of Epic Fantasy and, more broadly, literature.
Robin Hobbs
Thanks to his Realm of the Elderlings trilogy, better known as the Farseer epic, Robin Hobb continues to be a titan of the genre, influencing several contemporaries including Rothfuss, George R.R. Martin, and Brandon Sanderson. Robin writes with strength and charm, her character development is very engaging and focused, and her themes are somber and introspective. While the Farseer Trilogy may bring to mind some of the most enjoyable aspects of Game of Thrones, the whole series offers much more. But take caution—horrible, devastating catastrophe lurks not far from Hobb's path.
Tolkien, J. R. R.
J.R.R. Tolkien is unavoidably included when discussing the best writers in the annals of speculative fiction, and not only because he started the literary trend. No writer has even come close to reaching the heights of worldbuilding that Tolkien accomplished. The so-called "Legendarium" that the Oxford linguist professor created has the history of a whole world that is mirrored in our own. There is no narrative like the one told by the creation story, the song of Ainulindalë, the fall of Melkor, the tale of the Silmarils, the suffering of Beren and Lúthien Tinúviel, the War of Wrath, the return of Sauron, and finally, the War of the Ring.