Fantasy literature has long served as a magical escape for readers, transporting them to worlds filled with enchanted creatures, epic adventures, and unforgettable journeys. Throughout history, numerous talented authors have shaped this genre into the captivating powerhouse it is today. By crafting immersive narratives that evoke wonder and astonishment, these best fantasy authors excel at weaving intricate plots, developing complex characters, and envisioning fantastical settings.
These gifted writers have created mesmerizing tales that hold readers captive from beginning to end. The best fantasy writers construct enthralling stories that explore themes of heroism, power struggles, and morality while remaining anchored within unique fictional universes.
Some prime examples of such extraordinary fantasy fiction authors include J.R.R. Tolkien, Bram Stoker, and Frank Herbert. Tolkien's legendary The Lord of The Rings series introduced us to Middle-Earth and its memorable inhabitants like Frodo Baggins and Gandalf. Bram Stoker redefined horror through his chilling Gothic tale Dracula, expertly blending elements of supernatural monsters with a spine-tingling setting. Frank Herbert revolutionized science-fiction with Dune, an epic space opera known for its intricate world-building and philosophical undertones challenging societal norms. These creative minds are just a glimpse into the pantheon of esteemed fantasy writers who have captured our imaginations throughout time.
Reflecting upon the profound impact these best fantasy authors have had on the literary landscape highlights their importance within our culture. They breathe life into enchanting realms where anything is possible - transcending reality's boundaries for readers seeking otherworldly escapes.
Most divisive: Gene Wolfe
Over 22.4K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Very Best Fantasy Authors
- 1The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion
- 2The Way of Kings, Mistborn: The Final Empire, Mistborn: The Hero of Ages
- 3Good Omens, Small Gods, The Colour of Magic
- 4The Raven, Annabel Lee, The Fall of the House of Usher
- 5The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Screwtape Letters
- 6The Wheel of Time, The Eye of the World, The Fires of Heaven
- 7The Left Hand of Darkness, The Dispossessed, A Wizard of Earthsea
- 8Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass
- 9Beowulf, Marvel 1602, American Gods
- 10Something Wicked This Way Comes, Fahrenheit 451, King of Kings
- 11Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, You Only Live Twice
- 12Dune, Dune Messiah, The Lazarus Effect
- 13The Farseer, Royal Assassin, Assassin's Apprentice
- 14Odyssey, Iliad, The Iliad and the Odyssey
- 15The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Red Pyramid
- 16Dracula, The Lair of the White Worm, The Lady of the Shroud
- 17
Joe Abercrombie
The Blade Itself, Before They Are Hanged, Best Served Cold - 18Magician, Shadow of a Dark Queen, Talon of the Silver Hawk
- 19Dragonflight, Dragonsong, Sassinak
- 20Pet Sematary, Creepshow, Salem's Lot
- 21The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories, At the Mountains of Madness, The Dunwich Horror and Others
- 22I, Robot, Foundation
- 23The Name of the Wind, The Wise Man's Fear
- 24The Sword of Shannara, Magic Kingdom for Sale -- Sold!, The World of Shannara
- 25The Belgariad, Polgara the Sorceress, The Tamuli
- 26
Jim Butcher
Furies of Calderon, Small Favor, My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon - 27Ceaseless Light, Blood of Elves, The Last Wish
- 28A Game of Thrones, A Feast for Crows, A Dance with Dragons
- 29Stranger in a Strange Land, Starship Troopers, The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress
- 30Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, The Man in the High Castle, Ubik
- 31
David Gemmell
Legend, Lord of the Silver Bow, The Hawk Eternal - 32Conan the Barbarian, Conan, The Coming of Conan
- 33The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz
- 34Tarzan, the Ape Man, Tarzan
- 35Camelot, The Once and Future King, The Sword in the Stone
- 36
Steven Erikson
Gardens of the Moon, Memories of Ice, Deadhouse Gates - 37The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Sly Old Cat, The Tailor of Gloucester
- 38The Land That Time Forgot, Elric at the End of Time, Elric of Melniboné
- 39Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles, The Queen of the Damned, Interview with the Vampire
- 40Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Elven Star, Fire Sea
41Brent Weeks
The Black Prism, Shadow's Edge, The Way of Shadows- 42The Chronicles of Amber, Lord of Light, Isle of the Dead
- 43Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- 44Ender's Game, Speaker for the Dead, Ender's Shadow
- 45Peter Pan, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, As You Like It
- 46Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, The Legend of Drizzt Boxed Set, Books I-III
- 47Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife, His Dark Materials
- 48A Spell for Chameleon, Air Apparent, Golem in the Gears
- 49
Scott Lynch
The Lies of Locke Lamora, The Republic of Thieves, Red Seas Under Red Skies - 50Saga of Old City, Dungeons & Dragons, Oriental Adventures
- 51Dragonlance: Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Elven Star, Fire Sea
- 52Howl's Moving Castle, Charmed Life, The Lives of Christopher Chant
- 53A Wrinkle in Time, A Ring of Endless Light, A Wind in the Door
- 54Lord Foul's Bane, White Gold Wielder, The Power that Preserves
- 55
Michael Ende
The NeverEnding Story III, The Neverending Story, Momo - 56
Tad Williams
Shadowmarch, Sea of Silver Light, Mountain of Black Glass - 57The Mists of Avalon, Sword and Sorceress III, Sword and Sorceress II
- 58The Fionavar Tapestry, Tigana, Ysabel
- 59
Richard Adams
Watership Down, Shardik, Traveller - 60This Rough Magic, Sword and Sorceress III, Sword and Sorceress V
- 61The Chronicles of Spiderwick: A Grand Tour of the Enchanted World, Navigated by Thimbletack, The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide
- 62
Peter S. Beagle
The Lord of the Rings, The Last Unicorn, The Last Unicorn - 63Night of the Eagle, Swords and Deviltry, Conjure Wife
- 64The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, Taran Wanderer
- 65Heir to the Empire, The Last Command, Dark Force Rising
- 66The Stars Are Ours!, Sea Siege, Star Man's Son
- 67Inkheart, The Thief Lord, Inkdeath
- 68His Majesty's Dragon, Throne of Jade, Victory of Eagles
- 69Phantoms, Watchers, Demon Seed
- 70Ringworld, Lucifer's Hammer, The Mote in God's Eye
- 71
Leigh Bardugo
Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, Ruin and Rising - 72The Winter King, The Fort, The bloody ground
- 73
Eoin Colfer
Artemis Fowl, Airman, Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident - 74Kindred, Fledgling, Parable of the Sower
- 75
Terry Goodkind
Wizard's First Rule, The Sword of Truth, Boxed Set I - 76Eragon, Inheritance, Eldest
- 77The Haunting of Hill House, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, The Lottery and Other Stories
- 78The Broken Sword, Conflict, Conan the Rebel
- 79
Thomas Malory
Le Morte d'Arthur, The quest of the Holy Grail, The tale of the death of King Arthur - 80Krull, The Mocking Program, The Paths of the Perambulator
- 81The Dying Earth, Star King, Bad Ronald
- 82An Evil Guest, Return to the Whorl, On Blue's Waters
- 83Dayworld, Gods of Riverworld, To Your Scattered Bodies Go
- 84
N. K. Jemisin
The Broken Kingdoms, The Killing Moon, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - 85Legions of Hell, Kings in Hell, Sword and Sorceress II
- 86
Sarah J. Maas
Crown of Midnight, Heir of Fire, Throne of Glass - 87Labyrinths, Ficciones, The Aleph
- 88Sunshine, A knot in the grain and other stories, Water
- 89The Keys To the Kingdom, Book 2, Sabriel
- 90In the Hand of the Goddess, Alanna: The First Adventure, Page
- 91City of Bones, City of Ashes, Clockwork Angel
- 92Dreams with Sharp Teeth, The Beast that Shouted Love at the Heart of the World, The Glass Teat
- 93The Book of Atrix Wolfe, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, The Tower at Stony Wood
- 94The Spirit Ring, Barrayar, Falling Free
- 95
V.E. schwab
- 96Cryptonomicon, Snow Crash, The Diamond Age
- 97The Reluctant Dragon, The Wind in the Willows, Der Wind in den Weiden. 6 Cassetten
- 98The Bug Wars, Something M.Y.T.H. Inc., Myth-Ing Persons
- 99Shadrach in the Furnace, Nightfall, Roma Eterna
- 100The End of the Story, The Abominations of Yondo, Poems in Prose
- 101Titus Groan, Gormenghast, Titus Alone
- 102Keeper of the Keys, The Master of Whitestorm, Stormed Fortress
- 103Dark Dance, Night Visions No 1, Don't Bite the Sun
- 104
Michael J. Sullivan
- 105The Charge of the Light Brigade, Idylls of the King, The Lady of Shalott
- 106After the Fact, The Black Throne, Coils
- 107The Magicians, The Magician King, Codex
- 108The Stainless Steel Rat, A Rebel in Time, The Hammer and the Cross
- 109Forests of the Heart, Someplace to Be Flying, Sword and Sorceress II
- 110The Candy Shop War, Fablehaven, Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison
- 111
Katharine Kerr
Daggerspell, Darkspell, Days of Air and Darkness - 112
Pierce Brown
Red Rising, Golden Son, Morning Star - 113The Princess and the Goblin, Life Essential, A Hidden Life and Other Poems
- 114
Henry Kuttner
The Last Mimzy, The Twonky, Mutant - 115It Happened Tomorrow, Five plays, The King of Elfland's Daughter
- 116Practical Magic, The Story Sisters, Aquamarine
- 117
Ilona Andrews
Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Gunmetal Magic - 118
Stephen R. Lawhead
Pendragon, Arthur, Dream thief - 119The Avengers, Toy Story, The Cabin in the Woods
- 120The Man Who Was Thursday, The Napoleon of Notting Hill, The Everlasting Man
