Lin Carter was a notable fantasy author and editor famous for works like the Thongor series and The Wizard of Lemuria. He significantly influenced fantasy literature, championing the genre through editing collections including Flashing Swords!
If you enjoy reading books by Lin Carter then you might also like the following authors:
If you like Lin Carter's adventurous storytelling, Robert E. Howard is right up your alley. Howard's stories are fast-paced, vivid, and filled with heroic action and dark sorcery.
He created iconic heroes like Conan the Barbarian, a tough warrior battling through a savage world filled with monsters, magic, and danger. Check out The Hour of the Dragon for a full taste of Conan's bold adventures.
Clark Ashton Smith writes with a rich imagination and poetic style that fans of Lin Carter will appreciate. He explores strange worlds filled with ancient civilizations, forbidden magic, and dark mysteries.
His collection The City of the Singing Flame transports you to surreal realms where fantasy and weird fiction blend seamlessly.
Readers who enjoy Lin Carter's blend of fantasy adventure mixed with humor and clever storytelling should check out L. Sprague de Camp. He presents imaginative worlds rooted in history and myth, often adding playful humor that sets him apart.
Try The Tritonian Ring, an engaging adventure with plenty of wit and charm.
Fritz Leiber offers fast, fun storytelling full of sharp dialogue and memorable characters. Fans of Lin Carter will particularly enjoy Leiber's duo, Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, two charismatic adventurers in a gritty and intriguing fantasy city setting.
A great starting point is Swords and Deviltry, featuring their earliest escapades.
If you enjoy Lin Carter's imaginative fantasy worlds, you'll probably appreciate Michael Moorcock. Moorcock creates original, gritty worlds with morally complex heroes struggling against destiny, chaos, and destruction. His antihero Elric of Melniboné is especially intriguing.
Check out Elric of Melniboné, a novel filled with brooding adventure and vivid world-building.
C. L. Moore writes imaginative adventures blending fantasy and science fiction with vivid storytelling and intriguing worlds. Her stories focus on fantastic realms with a lively atmosphere similar to Lin Carter's books.
A great starting point is Jirel of Joiry, featuring daring heroine Jirel, who explores supernatural mysteries and magical lands with courage and determination.
Jack Vance crafts witty, colorful tales full of strange cultures, bold adventurers, and intricate magic systems. Much like Lin Carter, Vance mixes humor, drama, and imagination into stories that feel both epic and personal.
Try reading The Dying Earth, where Vance beautifully portrays a world far in the future, filled with intriguing magic, memorable characters, and thoughtful reflections on human nature.
Leigh Brackett's adventures transport readers into exotic worlds, dangerous quests, and action-filled quests that emphasize strong characters and rich settings. Fans of Lin Carter will recognize a similar love of heroic adventure and vibrant locations in her work.
A good place to start is The Sword of Rhiannon, where planetary romance meets fast-paced adventure on a mysterious ancient Mars full of wonder and danger.
Gardner Fox has an exciting and imaginative style, known for fast-moving action stories, detailed worlds, and heroes facing supernatural fears. If you enjoy Lin Carter's dynamic storytelling and love of fantasy adventures, Fox is a fantastic author to explore.
Check out Kothar: Barbarian Swordsman, a thrilling tale of a wandering warrior who battles sorcery, strange creatures, and magical forces in quests filled with danger and excitement.
Andre Norton creates vivid, magical journeys in worlds that blend fantasy and science fiction effortlessly. Her style emphasizes open imagination, inventive scenarios, and skillful storytelling, making her great choice for admirers of Lin Carter's adventurous spirit.
Try out Witch World, where mysterious realms, engaging characters, and supernatural magic blend together into an imaginative story that sweeps readers into exciting explorations and imaginative discoveries.
Poul Anderson is a great choice if you enjoy Lin Carter's blend of fantasy and adventure. Anderson creates vivid, imaginative worlds inspired by myths and legends. His stories often explore heroism, honor, and adventure.
A good one to start with is The Broken Sword, a classic that mixes Norse mythology, elves, trolls, and epic battles.
Karl Edward Wagner writes dark and atmospheric fantasy that's full of eerie and mysterious elements. His style tends toward the gritty and brooding side of sword and sorcery, appealing to those who appreciate Carter's adventure, yet prefer darker undertones.
Check out Darkness Weaves, the first book featuring Kane, Wagner's antihero, who embodies brutality and complex morality in a grim and fascinating setting.
If you love heroic fantasy filled with action, courage, and strong characters, David Gemmell is a perfect author to read next. His storytelling is straightforward, packed with adventure and memorable heroes.
Try starting with Legend, a story about a warrior named Druss who defends a fortress against impossible odds. It's fast-paced and exciting, great for fans of Lin Carter's heroic tales.
John Jakes is another author who may appeal if you appreciate historical settings infused with adventure and fantasy. His characters tend to be strong, relatable, and vibrant, keeping you engaged from page to page.
For adventurous sword-and-sorcery stories, Brak the Barbarian series is a great place to begin. These tales feature exciting quests and thrilling encounters that capture a similar vibe to Carter's writing.
Kenneth Bulmer offers readers plenty of imaginative and action-driven fantasy adventures. His stories share the adventurous spirit and lively atmosphere found in Carter's works.
Try reading The Keys to Irunium, the first book in the Keys of the Power series, which features a classic quest narrative, strange magic, and vivid worlds to explore.