Light Mode

List of 15 authors like Tolkien

Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's richly imagined fantasy worlds and high fantasy genre might enjoy the following 15 authors who offer similar escapism, world-building, and epic storytelling:

  1. 1
    George R.R. Martin - George R.R. Martin is the creator of the “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, which blends political intrigue with fantasy elements in a medieval setting. His storytelling style has earned him a large following, garnering comparisons to J.R.R. Tolkien for his detailed world-building and complex characters.
  2. 2
    C.S. Lewis - C.S. Lewis was a close friend of J.R.R. Tolkien and authored the celebrated series “The Chronicles of Narnia.” Like Tolkien's works, Lewis's novels blend fantasy with profound themes, offering a compelling and imaginative universe filled with adventure and moral lessons.
  3. 3
    Robert Jordan - Robert Jordan is the pen name of James Oliver Rigney Jr., the creator of the fantasy series “The Wheel of Time,” which offers a vast and intricate world with an epic tale of good versus evil. If you appreciate the immersive landscapes and complex characters in Tolkien's works, you might find Jordan's detailed storytelling and elaborate magic system in his fourteen-book saga captivating.
  4. 4
    Brandon Sanderson - Brandon Sanderson is an American writer, celebrated for creating the “Cosmere” universe where many of his fantasy series, like “Mistborn” and “The Stormlight Archive”, take place. His work often features intricate magic systems and expansive world-building, elements that might appeal to fans of Tolkien's detailed and immersive settings.
  5. 5
    Patrick Rothfuss - Patrick Rothfuss is the author of “The Name of the Wind,” a fantasy tale with intricate storytelling and a meticulously constructed world. Fans of Tolkien's detailed environments and complex characters might appreciate Rothfuss's similar dedication to crafting a compelling and immersive narrative.
  6. 6
    Terry Brooks - Terry Brooks is a fantasy author whose “Shannara” series has captivated readers with its intricate storytelling and magical world-building, bearing similarities to the epic sagas created by Tolkien. Fans of Middle-earth's adventures might appreciate the Shannara books for their classic struggle between good and evil, set in a detailed, fantastical landscape.
  7. 7
    T.H. White - Known for “The Once and Future King,” a retelling of the Arthurian legends.
  8. 8
    Stephen R. Donaldson - Author of “The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant,” a series that blends fantasy with profound character study.
  9. 9
    Guy Gavriel Kay - His work is noted for its historical fantasy settings, such as “Tigana” and “The Lions of Al-Rassan.”
  10. 10
    Robin Hobb - Known for “The Realm of the Elderlings” series, which begins with the “Farseer Trilogy.”
  11. 11
    Ursula K. Le Guin - Renowned for her “Earthsea Cycle,” a deeply philosophical series of high fantasy books.
  12. 12
    Raymond E. Feist - Creator of the “Riftwar Cycle,” which starts with “Magician: Apprentice” and “Magician: Master.”
  13. 13
    Terry Goodkind - His “Sword of Truth” series is replete with epic storytelling and a developed fantasy world.
  14. 14
    Michael Moorcock - Known for his “Elric of Melniboné” saga, among other high fantasy works.
  15. 15
    Gene Wolfe - Author of “The Book of the New Sun,” a dense and complex series that has been compared to Tolkien's intricate world-building.

These authors all have their unique voices and styles, but they share some of the core elements of high fantasy that fans of Tolkien often appreciate: detailed world-building, elements of mythology and lore, epic quests, moral complexity, and a focus on the struggle between good and evil.