J.R.R. Tolkien was an English author and academic, renowned worldwide for shaping fantasy literature with iconic novels like The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
If you enjoy reading books by J. R. R. Tolkien then you might also like the following authors:
C. S. Lewis, a close friend of Tolkien, also created fantasy worlds rich with symbolism and deep moral questions. His series, The Chronicles of Narnia, imagines an enchanting land where talking animals and mythical beings confront themes of faith, courage, and redemption.
Like Tolkien, Lewis crafts meaningful adventures with warmth and wisdom.
Ursula K. Le Guin crafts beautiful and thought-provoking fantasy tales filled with insightful reflections on society, morality, and identity. Her storytelling combines elegant prose and imaginative world-building, particularly evident in her Earthsea series.
In A Wizard of Earthsea, Le Guin follows the young wizard Ged as he faces inner struggles and outer dangers in a richly imagined maritime world.
George MacDonald's fairy tales blend mystical adventures with spiritual insights. Tolkien himself was inspired by MacDonald's stories, full of fantasy and wonder grounded deeply in moral and emotional truths.
In his book Phantastes, MacDonald explores an imaginative journey through a dream-like fairyland, inviting readers to reflect on themes of self-discovery and redemption.
William Morris was a pioneer in fantasy storytelling, creating beautifully detailed worlds inspired by medieval traditions and mythology. His writing emphasizes romance, heroism, and adventure.
In The Well at the World's End, Morris portrays a heroic quest filled with danger and enchantment, influencing the fantasy genre that Tolkien later championed.
Lord Dunsany writes lyrical fantasies evoking the sense of wonder, dreaminess, and mystery characteristic of myth. His short story collection, The King of Elfland's Daughter, reveals poetic prose and imaginative landscapes.
Dunsany's tales charm readers who appreciate Tolkien's own talent for crafting vivid, magical realms.
E. R. Eddison writes grand fantasy tales filled with heroic adventures and mythological storytelling. His writing style is richly poetic, filled with lush descriptions and an elaborate sense of history.
In his book The Worm Ouroboros, he creates a timeless struggle between mighty powers, heroes, and villains. Tolkien fans who enjoy vivid world-building and epic quests would appreciate Eddison's classic approach.
Robert Jordan combines detailed worlds, intricate politics, and expansive character development in his fantasy writing.
His series, starting with The Eye of the World, introduces readers to the massive story of The Wheel of Time—an expansive saga featuring prophecy, magic, and destiny.
Readers who loved Tolkien's detailed attention to culture and extensive story arcs should give Robert Jordan a try.
Brandon Sanderson is known for imaginative magic systems and carefully crafted storytelling. His writing combines richly developed characters with believable, complex worlds.
His book Mistborn: The Final Empire introduces readers to a world where people can "burn" metals for magical abilities, fitting neatly with inspiring themes of heroism and resistance.
Fans of Tolkien's thoughtful magic and relatable characters will find Sanderson’s books a refreshing read.
Tad Williams creates detailed fantasy realms with depth and imagination, featuring rich environments and vibrant storytelling. His series beginning with The Dragonbone Chair takes readers into the complex land of Osten Ard, filled with intrigue, adventure, and hidden histories.
Readers who love Tolkien's immersive worlds and rich, detailed narratives will appreciate tad Williams’s engaging storytelling.
Guy Gavriel Kay specializes in historical fantasy, blending real-world inspiration with subtle magical elements.
He crafts intimate characters and emotional depth, like in his novel The Lions of Al-Rassan, which masterfully portrays themes of honor, friendship, and cultural tension within a medieval-inspired setting.
Fans of Tolkien who appreciate elegant prose, powerful storytelling, and believable historical detail will enjoy Guy Gavriel Kay’s novels.
Patrick Rothfuss writes fantasy stories that are vivid and emotionally engaging, with intricate world-building and carefully developed characters. His writing feels poetic and lyrical, and he explores themes of storytelling, knowledge, and the cost of ambition.
If you enjoy Tolkien's richly imagined settings, you might like Rothfuss's The Name of the Wind, the first book of his Kingkiller Chronicle series, about Kvothe, a brilliant but tragic hero whose legend grows amid mystery and myth.
Terry Brooks is known for exciting, adventure-filled fantasies with strong influences from Tolkien. He creates accessible, fast-moving plots that still offer carefully crafted worlds and meaningful characters.
Brooks's The Sword of Shannara introduces readers to the enchanting realm of Shannara, a classic fantasy setting where heroes fight against overwhelming evil using courage, friendship, and magic. If you enjoyed Tolkien's sweeping quests, Brooks will likely keep you entertained.
Christopher Paolini crafts fantasy tales that blend epic heroism, fascinating dragons, and richly described imagined worlds. Paolini began writing as a teenager, making the emotional journey of young protagonists especially vivid and relatable.
In Eragon, the first book of his Inheritance Cycle, Paolini tells the story of a farm boy who bonds with a dragon and finds himself drawn into a battle against tyrannical forces. Tolkien fans who love dragons and quests can find much to appreciate here.
Stephen R. Donaldson creates fantasy stories that explore complex emotional conflicts, moral dilemmas, and richly layered ethical themes. His writing style often embraces darker and more introspective tones than Tolkien, focusing heavily on flawed, deeply human characters.
His best-known work, Lord Foul's Bane, the start of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, introduces a troubled protagonist summoned into a magical realm, challenging themes of responsibility, redemption, and power.
If you appreciate Tolkien but want stories with ethically complicated characters, Donaldson is an excellent choice.
Peter S. Beagle tells fantasy stories filled with lyrical prose, emotional depth, and poetic imagery. His tales often have a gentle wisdom or bittersweet quality, exploring themes of friendship, mortality, and the passing of magical eras.
His acclaimed novel The Last Unicorn centers on a unicorn's journey to discover what became of her kind, blending humor, wistful philosophy, and fairy-tale beauty.
Readers who appreciate the grace and emotional resonance in Tolkien's writing may find Beagle's work deeply satisfying.