Gary Gygax was an influential writer and game designer known for co-creating the iconic tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. His fantasy adventures, such as Dungeon Master's Guide, reshaped gaming culture and inspired countless fans worldwide.
If you enjoy reading books by Gary Gygax then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoyed Gary Gygax's sense of adventure and richly developed fantasy worlds, you'll likely appreciate Ed Greenwood. Greenwood creates vivid, captivating settings with deep histories and memorable characters.
His Spellfire, the first novel in the Forgotten Realms series, showcases a sprawling fantasy land full of magic and heroic adventure.
Margaret Weis is an expert at storytelling steeped in intricate characters and grand quests. Her narratives blend epic fantasy themes with relatable heroes and genuine emotion.
Check out Dragons of Autumn Twilight, co-written with Tracy Hickman, a classic fantasy adventure featuring friendship, courage, and compelling emotion.
Tracy Hickman crafts fantasy stories that balance thrilling quests with deep explorations of friendship, loyalty, and moral dilemmas. His strong sense for dramatic pacing and memorable characters is appealing if you're drawn to detailed, thoughtful fantasy.
Start with Dragons of Autumn Twilight, co-written with Margaret Weis; it introduces readers to the rich Dragonlance world.
R.A. Salvatore is ideal if you're fascinated with detailed fight scenes, compelling characters, and dynamic storytelling. He excels at combining heart-pounding action with relatable personal quests, delivering unforgettable fantasy adventures.
The Crystal Shard, the start of Salvatore's Drizzt Do'Urden stories, is an exciting introduction to legendary heroes facing epic struggles.
If you appreciate Gary Gygax's sense of humor, creativity, and adventure, Fritz Leiber is a perfect choice. His storytelling pairs thrilling sword and sorcery adventures with wit and irony.
In Swords and Deviltry, Leiber introduces readers to Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, two iconic rogues whose exploits paved the way for modern fantasy gaming and literature.
Michael Moorcock is a novelist who brings readers imaginative worlds filled with heroic quests, rich lore, and magical adventure.
Readers interested in fantastic realms and morally complex characters will enjoy Elric of Melniboné, a classic fantasy story that follows the brooding, tormented anti-hero Elric as he navigates a fallen kingdom and battles dark supernatural forces.
Poul Anderson creates vivid tales blending fantasy, adventure, and mythology. His stories emphasize detailed world-building, complex heroes, and exciting battles.
Fans of Gary Gygax might enjoy Anderson's The Broken Sword, a story where humans, elves, and trolls clash against a backdrop inspired by Norse mythology.
L. Sprague de Camp writes playful and witty stories filled with colorful characters, clever plotting, and detailed historical settings. His fantasy adventures integrate humor and mythological references that readers of Gygax would appreciate.
Try his novel The Compleat Enchanter, where he follows a character whose misadventures through magical universes combine fantasy, humor, and adventure.
Jack Vance's writing is known for creativity, humor, and lyrical prose. He builds imaginative settings populated by eccentric characters and strange cultures.
Fans of Gygax will appreciate how Vance mixes fantasy and wit, especially in the collection The Dying Earth, a set of stories filled with magic, clever magicians, and fascinating magical rules.
Dave Arneson was pivotal alongside Gary Gygax in creating the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. He brought storytelling and imaginative world-building into roleplaying, crafting an immersive fantasy experience.
Arneson's game setting Blackmoor became legendary for its richly developed backstory, varied adventures, and emphasis on exploration and storytelling.
Fans of Gary Gygax who appreciate vivid adventure and heroic storytelling will find Robert E. Howard thrilling. He helped define the sword-and-sorcery genre through exciting, action-oriented stories.
His tales often feature strong heroes who confront supernatural dangers and ancient evil. A perfect example is Conan the Barbarian, which follows Conan, an unstoppable warrior who battles monsters, sorcerers, and supernatural threats within a dark, dangerous world.
Clark Ashton Smith is ideal for readers fascinated by the mystical and strange worlds Gary Gygax created. Smith's unique style combines fantasy, horror, and cosmic wonders. He builds atmospheric, often haunting settings populated by surreal and dark entities.
One standout example is The City of the Singing Flame, a memorable story of captivating strangeness that showcases Smith's intriguing worlds and eerie imagination.
For readers who enjoy the adventurous and imaginative elements of Gary Gygax’s fantasy, Andre Norton’s books will be a delight. Norton skillfully combines fantasy and science fiction, taking readers to fascinating and exotic worlds filled with adventure and mystery.
In Witch World, she creates an engaging universe blending sorcery, alien civilization, and exciting quests that fans of Dungeons & Dragons adventures will appreciate.
Terry Brooks offers imaginative worlds and epic quests in a classic high fantasy style, making his books enjoyable for readers who enjoyed Gary Gygax’s detailed settings and adventurous storytelling.
Brooks's rich plots and likable heroes draw readers into grand struggles between good and evil.
His book, The Sword of Shannara, introduces an unforgettable quest and memorable characters, appealing especially to fans who treasure immersive fantasy worlds with high stakes clearly defined.
David Eddings often revolves around epic quests and well-developed characters, traits similar to what readers love about Gary Gygax’s storytelling.
Eddings emphasizes humor and sharp dialogue, creating genuinely enjoyable relationships among believable people facing extraordinary adventures.
His series starter, Pawn of Prophecy, introduces Garion, a hero drawn into an expansive quest filled with intriguing characters and witty exchanges, a rewarding read for fans who appreciate character-driven fantasy journeys.