Also, thank you for watching my video! It’s not every day that someone with accomplishments like yours drops by and leaves a comment. I appreciate it very much!
@@heinrichbestbier5458 The only and best advice I have is to get a good literary agent to represent you. Hardly anyone accepts submissions except from agents these days.
Your YT-channel is number one on my list of YT-channels that make me want to read more fantasy books! 😉 Especially this series brought several titles on my list of books I want to read. And I already started one series (Green Bone Saga) because of these lists. Great final video! Thanks Philip Chase!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy It is great so far, but I am only just half through Jade City. Looking forward to see how this series and their characters develop.
Your number one totally shocked me!🤣🤣🤣 The last list like this on this channel was over three years ago? Now that is surprising because that was the first Philip Chase video I ever watched and it means I'm watching this channel for over three years. Apart from two authors that I haven't read yet all the others would be on my list so not necessarily in the same order. Also, I of course need to reserve a place for that other fantasy writing medievalist. Great video, Philip! Especially for somebody who still claims that he doesn't like making top 10 lists!😁
Ha ha! Yes, I don't think I succeeded in surprising anyone with my number one. Time flies, doesn't it? And you are very kind to mention that medievalist who loves fantasy so much. All the best, Angela!
It also surprised me that that video is 3 years old! Time really does fly 🤯. And I agree, I loved your Edan trilogy so much, Philip, you would totally make the cut on my top ten fantasy authors nowaday 🥰
I was pleasantly surprised with you praising Mark Lawrence, he is one of my favourite authors and I don't see him talked about as much in the book tube community. I am guessing people labeled him as grimdark after Jorg's story, but he defies classification with every new series. I also liked the way you talked about the authors on your top 10, more than half of them are my personal favourites as well. It makes me more interested in looking into your trilogy now.
A clever plot to come around to making a top ten list in a more scientific manner. Hmm, I'm starting to see what your nemesis is always ranting about. Well thought out, planned and manipulated indeed. I love it!
Epic list! I’m not surprised by any of the names or number 1, but you added some surprises with the order! As always, I enjoyed hearing what you found compelling about each author’s work. I just recently ordered The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, and I’m excited to hear your thoughts about the sequel. Until next time! 😊
Oh, I hope you'll take a lot from The Book That Wouldn't Burn, Johanna -- I'll definitely be excited to hear your thoughts! Yes, the order here surprised me a bit too. It was an interesting exercise!
What a brilliant idea to combine all of your lists into an all-encompassing list. Fantastic! After you rattled off who didn't make the list, I asked myself "well, who's left?!" Ha, seriously though. I really appreciated this video even more so because, to paraphrase something Janny once wrote me, this video was a "tonic" for me on an otherwise frustrating day. And that is what doctors are supposed to do!
Great list! Very happy to see that Eselmont made it in there.I greatly enjoyed the Malazan Empire books. By the way, I just got your book, there are still a couple ahead in line but I promise I'll get to it. :)
@@patrikisraelsson7530 Thank you! I’m grateful to Sanderson for bringing so many readers to fantasy, and I like the books by him that I’ve read (nine so far), but he’s writing books that he can be confident will appeal to a broad audience, not carefully crafting masterpieces that transcend genre. I wish him the best of success!
Great to see so many fantastic writers on this list, many of which my own favourites! I too am a big fan of Lawrence’s writing, especially The Broken Empire trilogy- there’s genius in the subtlety of his prose, quite unique to him. His character work and world-building are among my favourite! It’s a treat to see him placed this high on your list ❤ Have not had the chance to get to Janny Wurt’s work yet, but the more I hear about it, the more excited I get to start! Thanks for a great list! 😊
When I saw the title of the video I pulled out a pen and paper and wrote down a list of 10 guesses. Got 9 out of the 11 correct, haha! Anyway I enjoyed this series of videos!! Informative and entertaining. Thanks for all the effort you put in! 😊
Let’s make it 9 of 10 since I sort of cheated by having 11, meaning you would have aced the Dr. Fantasy test! 😊 Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Happy to see the reappreciation of Janny Wurts. I've been reading her for decades and her work was often dismissed as purple and overwrought. That's not an unfair criticism but that same weakness often manifests as a strength. I hope her books become more widely available. Even as someone intentionally searching her out, they were nearly impossible to find before Amazon and ebooks.
I hope to see more and more recognition of Janny Wurts’ brilliant contributions to fantasy and storytelling. She has a unique voice and such a startlingly vast vision.
Soo happy to see Gene Wolfe in your top 10, doesn’t make enough top 10’s, also there’s a great podcast Alzabo Soup that breaks down each book 2 chapters at time, revealing how name origins relate to characters and soo soo much more and how insanely nuanced and layered the story is! Cheers great video and newly subscribed!
Thank you! I really do prefer in depth discussion and analysis over any other type of video. That said, this sort of thing can be fun every once in a while. All the best!
I've got my eyes on my reread of Tigana later this year, and then I plan to keep reading a lot more of Kay's books after that. I'm looking forward to it all very much!
I love that: "part of my DNA" when talking about Le Guin. For me, Patrica A Mckillip is a part of my DNA. I love no one else's prose more than hers. She turned me into a book worm at the age of 9. I told her that when i met her in person at a convention - so glad to have been able to meet her. Brandon Sanderson's work dominated much of my life since 2012. I should read more fantasy but i haven't picked up a book in the past 2 years. i've been watching anime, now addicted to anime OST's, openings/outros and Japanese pop music because of anime (also going to Japan later this year). I've been watching a lot of Adam Taggart lately on finances/economics lately while doing puzzles, too--so I find things to keep me from picking up a book. Hope to get back to reading.
How wonderful that you got to meet your literary hero! I hope you’ll have an amazing visit to Japan, and best wishes for your reading if you decide to get back into it!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy thank you! And thank you for this wonderful list of TBR’s for me, especially Malazan which I’ve been meaning to start…at some point in my life 😜
Most top tens I have watched have similar authors, this video has opened up new avenues! I'm definitely going to be trying out some of these authors. Cheers!
Your 1 and 2 match with my two favourite fictional characters. Nona is my second favourite character for her fierceness and her loyalty. Tavore is my favourite character because she is Tavore.
The best things about lists like these for me is seeing how my tastes differ from other Booktubers. For example, Gwynne is an author I could not get into, however it’s interesting to see him in your top 10 and the reasons why. Sometimes hearing why someone likes an author I do not makes me want to revisit them, and this makes me want to revisit Gwynne.
Thanks, Dark-O! My philosophy is that I have something to learn from anyone I meet, and that goes double for anyone expressing their experience of a book. I appreciate you watching and commenting!
Great series! One element I admire is flexibility as you said with Lawrence (which I appreciate couldn't be covered that well in a fantasy only list). So authors like King, Jemisin or RF Kuang have an amazing range of stories.
So interesting to hear some detailed reasoning behind a top list! One of the reasons your videos stand out, in my view, is the quality of arguments behind the opinions. Are you interested in making something similar broken down by length? Your favourite short stories, novellas, standalone novels and series? And then another top-of-the-top, the most versatile writers.
Excellent ideas! I'll probably hold off on more top ten videos for a while just to avoid the stress, but I think those sorts of distinctions deserve to be explored. Thank you so much for the kind words, Igor -- it's always great to hear from you!
I’ve been procrastinating on keeping up with booktube, but I had been looking forward to watching this one. Here for all the love for Queen Hobb! Fantastic list obviously Philip!
Ursula K LeGuin and Wolfe tying for the same place is poetic. They were contemporaries, friends and greatly respected each other as authors. Le Guin is famously quoted as saying that Wolfe is “Our Melville”. Also - if you do read more of Wolfe’s work you might realise that he belongs in a lot more of the categories you have made. The Worldbuilding in The Wizard Knight is absolutely beautiful and the ending of sequence of “The Wizard “ will knock your socks off ! The Book of the Short Sun will most likely make you cry as will The Wizard Knight. I am biased of course - Wolfe is my favourite author and I am always envious of someone who can experience his books for the first time . Do finish the Solar Cycle - you won’t regret it .
What a creative way to put together this top 10 list! I was very surprised by your number 2! I will very soon be cracking open Red Sister and am looking forward to it!
That is a great list. You have sent Gwynn and Lawrence to the top of my fantasy TBR. I was mulling over your picks as I tried to think of my own top 10. It gave me anxiety 😅.
Gene Wolfe is one of my favorite Authors, but as someone who struggles with dyslexia...they do take me a while. But I always feel accomplished when I'm through. But I absolutely love the completely unapologetic way he tells a story. He doesn't hold your hand, he writes as if you live in the world, and so many of his ideas feel truly unique.
Great to see Mark Lawrence in this list! I’ve only ready The book that wouldn’t burn and I loved it. Cannot wait to read some more of his work. From what I’ve heard his stuff is quite diverse as well, a truly talented writer
Loved how you went about this top list, and it was fun to see all of our overlaps as well as to get excited for all the incredible authors I have yet to try! I haven't yet dived into Lawrence, Wolfe, or Wurts, and have only dipped my toes into Le Guin's works, so I have so much ahead to discover. Right with you on the emotional side of John Gwynne combined with that gritty action, and the many talents of both Esslemont and Erikson! I maintain that Night of Knives is the single most underrated Malazan work there is -- what a gripping tale! I just finished up Fool's Assassin and was utterly blown away by Hobb yet again -- what a master at deep character work!
Thank you, John! I have to give credit to the viewer who suggested the idea of compiling the lists. I'm not sure how sound my methodology is here, but it was fun. I look forward to your livestream tomorrow!
I think I never commented on one of your videos, although I've been following your channel for a while. Your in depht analysis are among the best in this platform, and now I can say that your top 10's are also up there. I believe this is due to how articulate you are. I'm glad I found your channel. Great work!
It was really interesting to watch my reaction to that video, because with all the great authors you told us at the start that didn't make the cut, I wasn't sure if that list would actually vibe with me. 30 minutes later and I think that this is probably one of the most perfectly crafted top tens I ever saw. I haven't read all of the authors on that list, but from those I have and especially because of how you commented on them, I immediately want to rectify that mistake. Which adds to my already vast tbr, but who cares about that. Three authors I really love (and are rarely mentioned in lists like this) that , at least at the moment, would probably make my own top 10 list, are Anthony Ryan, Robert Jackson Bennett and Martha Wells. And with all three, it's probably the diversity of their writings that make me such a big fan. With all three, you basically have no idea what to expect next, when they open a new chapter in their writing. If you read Martha Well's Ile-Rien books, she basically changes the setting and the subgenre within a single series, and it makes complete sense. Not to speak of the jump to the Sci-Fi-genre with her crazy Murderbot series. Ryan's Raven Shadow's trilogy (and the follow-up Raven's Blade duology) is, in my opinion, probably the best Epic fantasy written in the last 10+ years and then he suddenly goes Steam/Magipunk with his equally great Draconis Memoria trilogy. And if we're talking about weird, Bennett's Divine Cities trilogy has tons of that, and then he completely shifts gears with the Foundryside novels. I could basically put them in any of the categories you wrote about and argue why they belong there. And while I haven't read everything they have put out so far, the things I don't have rank very, very high in my pile.
0:51 Interestingly, a certain “tale of laugh” checkmarks all this criteria. Even little, one thing, the _-author-_ madlad doesn't shy away from flexing it's fiction's ridiculous range! Any question if you might have, this is the answer “I think, it was cool.” I really like such beauty of simplicity in crafting. I don't know if you had mentioned, but this is supposedly one of it's primary strength, touching the surface of likehoodness (simplicity) first, instead of directly aiming for the backend of likehoodness (complexity) through a bypass. Curiosity on the list! 👀
Not sure why it's only now I saw this, such a great list, Philip. Love that John Gwynne, GRRM, Joe Abercrombie, Tolkien, Robin Hobb, and Steven Erikson are on your list. Also, it's cool that you're ranking this based on points! I do that, too! I just started Curse of the Mistwraith, and as a huge fan of Riftwar Empire, I expect her to become one of my favorites! :D
Thank you, Petrik! I hope that you will get a lot from Curse of the Mistwraith. I am loving WOLAS more with every book I read, but book one sets the tone for the series, and I will never forget the last hundred pages or so. All the best!
What a wonderful way to make a Top 10 Authors list - such a fun video! Some huge hitters here and some others I am desperate to get to - Le Guin in particular. Great video as always, sir! Ed
Thanks, Ed! I was delighted that Papa Gwynne made the list, and it seemed appropriate to me that he tied with GRRM. Both authors write amazing action, and while very few can compete with GRRM when it comes to world building, John Gwynne is among the elite (Hobb, Erikson, Tolkien) when it comes to authors who make me emotional and turn on the tears. Truth and Courage!
I enjoyed this series, and loved this capstone video, even if the top was not suspenseful haha! I'm excited to read Mark Lawrence for the first time next month.
I haven't read Gwynne, Wolfe, or Wurts yet. I will have to add them to my list! I love that you included Esslemont, I've read Malazan series 4 times now, the most epic fantasy series of all time. I didn't love the Library Trilogy but the rest of Lawrence's work is amazing and I count him as the most influential author to me as an adult, his own books as well as SPFBO have changed my reading habits!
What a cool way to compile a list! Have to be honest, I’m completely shocked by your top spot! 😂 all jokes aside, there were definitely some surprises on here and MANY authors that I have not yet read but am so incredibly excited to. I haven’t seen all of your other “top” videos yet so I have some catching up to do! Hope all is well, Philip.
Guð minn góður ég var hissa um n.1! ;) What a fun way of making your top ten list(s), I've really enjoyed this journey. It's also so fun to see your enthusiasm. I really must get to Malazan some time soon!
I hope you’ll enjoy Malazan when you get there, Sam. Also, I will indeed be in Reykjavik for a few days this summer! If you email me at philipchase90@gmail.com, I’ll let you know the details. All the best!
I appreciate your sharing your approach to how you were able to compile your list, Philip. I have thought of doing a top 10 author list at some point but find it just too difficult to narrow down. So many great authors out there. Off the bat though: Hobb, Gwynne, Abercrombie, and Abraham would make mine. Erickson & GGK has potential as A Song for Arbonne was one of my favorite reads of 2024 thus far but it's the only GGK book I have read and read only up to Deadhouse Gates with Erikson's work. In the meantime, here is to both of us discovering new potential favorite authors in the future! - Cheers
A truly legendary top 10 list! Really love how you put this together, makes for a fresh twist on this type of list video. I am glad to see Hobb and Lawrence getting the love they deserve. And I keep saying it, but I really need to try Erikson, sounds like I am missing out big time 🤣
I was delighted to hear you discuss Beowulf with The Legendarium podcast and am newly arrived at your channel. Have you read Susannah Clarke or Stuart Turton?
I have read Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (before I started my channel) as well as Piranesi (which I reviewed for the channel and remains one of my more popular reviews, I’m happy to say). I love them both. I haven’t yet read Turton. I’m glad you enjoyed that chat on Beowulf - it was fun for me to discuss it with Craig. All the best!
Just started listening to the Liveship Traders trilogy on Audible, because both the Farseer and Liveship trilogies are included (maybe free, but I'm a subscriber) in Audible subscriptions and wow, I loved Ship of Magic and just started Mad Ship and it's going just as good. So stoked to have access to both of those trilogies at no additional cost! I get to use my credits to maybe get the rest of the series. Listening to Lord of the Rings with the 15 hour/mo allowance of audiobooks with a premium subscription, and obviously Tolkien is a legend in Fantasy writing. A good time to listen to audiobooks!
I’m glad you’re enjoying those stories as audiobooks! I’ve tried audiobooks, including LOTR narrated by the amazing Andy Serkis, and they just don’t work well for me. I’m glad they exist for people who love them, though!
I am currently reading Malazan for the first time and as we speak am working my way through the Y'Ghatan sequence and oh my god, I can almost feel the heat on my skin as I follow our PoVs through the city. Erikson is a true master and I had no doubt he would be your number one!
I agree that Oda is amazing at most of these categories. That said, I think of manga as a different medium. Like fantasy novels, it includes the very best storytelling, but it achieves it in a slightly different ways, starting with illustrations being at the center of the experience. So, I’ll probably keep manga and fantasy separate for the purposes of videos like this. Someday, when I’ve read enough manga, perhaps I’ll do something like this for it, and I imagine Oda at the top of the list!
Excellent list Phil. Sadly I don’t have a top 10 yet, maybe someday, when I’ve read a lot more authors. On the bright side, I’m gonna finally start draft 2 of my book next week! Excited!
I loved how you calculated the total scores of all your different categories to form this list. It made for a great summary and some great insights! Abercrombie has been my favorite author for a while, but you've pointed out a few others here I really need to get around to (Steven Erikson being key among those). I'm also very excited you're planning on reading more GGK! He's another top author for me because of his emotional, poetic prose and characters who pull on your heartstrings. There is a sense of history and timelessness to his work that I struggle to describe...he's obviously captivated by good story and lore. I've heard several people recommend his "Tigana" or "Lions of Al-Rassan," but my personal favorite was "Under Heaven." His sequences are so vivid, beautiful, and fresh...I can't wait to hear your thoughts as you dig in!
Hi Philip - New subscriber here. Have you tried the Sun Eater series by Christopher Ruocchio? I'm no sci-fi gal and this had me hooked! The prose is exceptional with so many beautiful quotes, and the world building is like no other, and the battle scenes will have you reading pages on end in one breath. It's a Name of the Winds meets Dune kind of book. It's told from a first person POV so it's easy to digest and understand. And the protagonist goes through so much he'll break your heart. Please give it a try!
Just started reading Malazan, and in the final 3rd of the Gardens of the Moon, and let me just say that Steven Erikson is fast becoming a top favourite of mine along with G.R.R.M! Am very much looking forward to continuing the series! Already is astounding. Great list, Philip :-) There are SO many great Fantasy authors, some I still need to try.
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy The Gardens of the Moon is soooo good! I started by listening to the audio book on Libby as a taste-test, and knew I was sold on Malazan by Chapter One, when I realized that I had been completely pulled into the world (hearing about Sorry and Rigga) and I had lost all sense of my real life surroundings! That sensation rarely happens to me, so I was sold there and then 😁😊🙌👌👏 Heard that GotM is Erikson's weakest book, so wow, holy smokes, am I ever looking forward to reading more then! So much to ponder up on. Also, Kruppe cracks me up 😂
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasyKruppe's a hoot! Hearing the narrator, Ralph Lister (?) read his dialogue is hilarious 😂 Love Tattersail, as well. Definitely keeping my eyeballs on certain people already...makes me think, love that. Little sprinkles of foreshadowing, too 👀 Bought the first 2 books already, so having fun immersive-reading atm 😊
Another great video, Philip. I could never put together a top ten list. There are just too many great authors, each with unique voices. When do you think we will have the Peril’s Gap discussion? I have not started reading it but I want to keep up. Thanks 🙏
Thank you, Francois! This really is an impossible task to execute with perfection satisfaction. It's kind of fun to fail at it, though. I anticipate the Peril's Gap discussion will happen in June. All the best!
Great list. I've only read half of these authors but I'm interested in all the one's I haven't. Malazan has been on my radar for a while now but it's so massive and complex I'm a bit intimidated by it. Hearing you speak so highly of it is pushing me closer to doing so, though.
1. J. R. R. Tolkien 2. George R. R. Martin 3. Robert E. Howard 4. Fritz Lieber 5. Ursula LeGuin 6. T. H. White 7. Katherine Kurtz 8. Evangeline Walton 9. Patricia McKillip 10. Edgar Rice Burroughs
This was a fun video! I recently picked up The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin. I was a bit mixed on The Left Hand of Darkness, but I think the style of The Lathe of Heaven will be to my taste. Looking forward to it!
I am so happy that Gene made it in your top ten here. My favorite author his skill undeniable. Excited for the eventual re-read. All his books are meant to be re-read. Also have you read Urth of the New Sun? It is the codex to New Sun but will also leave you with more questions haha
A great idea to pool those lists together into this one. It's interesting because I figured Steven Erickson would be top, then either Hobb or Tolkien, but seeing Mark Lawrence up there is really cool! I read The Book That Wouldn't Burn based on your very high praise and really enjoyed it. I read The Book That Broke The World recently and that was certainly The Book That Broke My Mind. Also I read the highly underappreciated short stories, too! Now I'm halfway through Prince of Thorns and loving it. Thanks for introducing me to this awesome author.
Tolkein at #1, Sit PTerry at #2 if I had a 'best of' list. You just inspired me to get a Mark Lawrence off the library audiobook shelf, Prince of Thorns, specifically.
Excellent list Philip! I'm embarrassed to admit I've only read from two authors on this list, John Gwynne and Ursula K Le Guin. I'm still so frustrated that I haven't yet gotten my hands on The Book that Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence. From what you've said of it, it sounds right up my alley.
This video was so great, Philip. So happy you included George R.R. Martin. I can't wait to dive into Janny Wurts. I think I'm going to make an official TBR so I can keep myself disciplined. I'm quite a mood reader, but I don't know if that's actually good for me. As for Book of the New Sun, the series is profoundly good. I love your point about loving a book but not necessarily enjoying it. I definitely enjoyed the first book in the traditional sense of that word, but I, like you, am not so sure I "enjoyed" the last three. I wrestled with them, is more accurate. I taught A Wizard of Earthsea in my Fantasy and SF Lit course. The kids loved the Taoist themes, the originality, and the poetic qualities you mentioned. Tolkien is likely always going to be my favorite. Here's a BookTube question: Do you think UA-cam viewers would appreciate deep dive episodes of each of the books? Or is that space too saturated? Is there too much Tolkien content? I've been considering doing that this summer, as I've been teaching LOTR for 4 years now. Worth doing, or no?
Thank you, Jordan! To answer your question, the experience I've had, unfortunately, is that Tolkien-related content does okay but not very well in our corner of BookTube. There are very successful Tolkien-focused channels, but I think that audience must be different from most of mine. That said, if you're passionate about it, go for it, and I hope you prove me wrong. Also, "wrestling" is a great way to describe my experience with Book of the New Sun. Cheers!
Great list! I always find it funny how people take it so personally when their favourite author is left off of someone else’s list? Everyone’s list will and should be different. Be well, stay safe!
Really glad I found your channel! Thanks for making this list, especially. Many (not all) of the authors you excluded are ones I have tried to like but never really gripped my interest (Like Sanderson, Williams,and Jemisin) I am excited to see a list *not including* a lot of authors that are included in similar lists and putting forward some authors I hadn’t even heard of! I’m hoping to find something that I can really get into while I wait to be in the mood for another Malazan book, lol. We seem to have some similar tastes, especially Le Guin. Thanks again!
Look, I know how much you hate ranking things, but this is a GREAT way for new readers (like myself) to prioritize the MASSIVE list of authors to explore! Also this was just fun :)
Hello Dr. C. Seeing all the books/series you've read in the genre makes me feel like a complete novice. But I'm OK with that because my tastes have shifted in other directions while still including fantasy books. An author I'd have to include high on my list would be Anne Rice. She used supernatural stories to explore big, universal themes in powerful ways. Several of your favs reside on my TBR, including Abercrombie, Hobb and LeGuin. Thanks for sharing your love of reading with us.
I am so happy to see some new top 10 lists,others are just regurgitating the same content,some are like compilation of other youtubers videos,ugh I hate those You and petrik leo are the best
Really cool list. I like that you used a point system to come up with your picks. Sounds like I really do need to check out Janny Wurts and John Gwynne soon - I've read a lot from all the other authors here. Curious, have you read any Glen Cook as yet?
Thank you! I've read the first three Black Company books. The first was my favorite, but I also would like to reread them someday and continue with the series. If you check out Wurts and Gwynne (very different authors, but both marvelous in their own ways), I hope you'll enjoy their books!
Tolkien's books suffer (unfairly in my opinion) from their own success and their age. The Hobbit was first published in 1937. The Lord of the Rings was first published in 1954 for Fellowship of the Rings, 1954 for the Two Towers and 1955 for Return of the King. (Then of course you have the success of the Peter Jackson movies). Because they are so well known and been around for so long they tend to get downplayed a bit. However: Tolkien's books are the standard against which all other fantasy books (and authors) are measured. He grandfathered the genre basically. So for books that were published 87 years ago for the Hobbit, and approximately 70 years ago for the Lord of the Rings series, they still stand up wonderfully well. What other fantasy author and book series will stand that test of time so well. For me in light of all the above, and what the genre owes to Tolkien, yet alone the incredible worldbuilding, story lines, character development etc, Tolkien will always be number 1. Other authors may approach the standard but yet to see it truly surpassed.
Praise for Tolkien’s storytelling is music to my ears. He may no longer be my personal favorite author, but I’ll never argue against anyone who says he’s theirs. All the best!
Several of these are on my own list; particularly if we are just talking living authors. 1. Joe Abercrombie 2. Brandon Sanderson 3. Steven Erikson 4. Mark Lawrence 5. John Gwynne 6. Anthony Ryan 7. Nicolaus Eames 8. Patrick Rothfuss 9. George Martin 10. Brian McClellen If we add in authors who are no longer with us then David Gemmell and Robert Jordan slide into #2 & #3 spots respectively.
That's a cool idea! Brandon Sanderson would likely be number one. JK Rowling and JRR Tolkien (especially for us slightly older folks) would be on the list, I think. All the best!
I'll have to read Steven Erikson. I've heard he has unique structures, which is a great way to hook me. I like not knowing where things are going, not knowing how to judge a character right off the bat, and books that feel organic and character driven rather than contriving to some pre-established plot model. I also like books that are explorations/journeys through interesting worlds, cultures, environments, and peoples.
I’ll admit, I was surprised to see Wolfe on the list at all, let alone midway down the list, so he didn’t just squeak in. It’s truly fitting to see he and Le Guin tied, as they’re probably the two most comparable in terms of overall craft, influence, inventiveness, etc. They were mutual admirers, even. Have you considered reading other Wolfe stuff? I wonder how you’d like the Soldier books (kinda the inverse of New Sun - Ancient Greece instead of future Urth; narrator has a damaged memory instead of claiming perfect memory; etc.). It’s the only other Wolfe I’ve read so far. The other I think you’d have lots to say about is the Wizard-Knight duology, since you’re a medievalist and many say it’s second only to New Sun. (I need to read it, still…) A fine and respectable list, Philip. Always enjoyable :)
Thank you, Paul! Wolfe deserves a place on my list, I think - even if I don’t know it yet (which seems like something Severian might say). All the best!
For a fella such as you who admittedly hates making top 10 videos, yours have become my favs in this space!! Lol! Amazing video Philip! And what a list! I do wonder who will change positions in your estimation as you read more from specific authors! I predict Williams will move into your top ten perhaps in the future once you read more from him, and that Wurts will climb up a bit as well, as will Gwynne. And of course, I wonder if anyone can unseat Steven Erikson, though of course he is a more than worthy choice to top the list! As always you have taken a thoughtful, cerebral approach to compiling your list, and you should be commended for that. The only surprise for me from what I know of your tastes, was Martin over Abercrombie. I thought Martin's worldbuilding specifically would place him above Abercrombie for you, but I see your rationale of course. I'd have to say for me personally (although we'd all wish he'd find a way to finish ASOIAF) Martin is still near the top of my list. Thank you for posting this wonderful content, it has been riveting to see your choices on these matters! Great for inspiring discussion, debate, and love of reading great books! Happy reading!
Thanks so much, PL! Martin definitely beats Abercrombie when it comes to world building. Abercrombie didn’t even place in my world building video, whereas Martin placed very high. But I love Abercrombie’s humor and his action (Martin is no slouch in those categories either). I do think Wurts has the most potential to climb in my ranking - GGK and Williams will be contenders too. Too many great authors!
Robin Hobb is the only author (so far) where I must mention her prose in my reviews. She writes beautiful stories that hit hard. So hard, in fact, that I've not read any Hobb since I finished the Farseer Trilogy in 2021. I want to be absolutely mentally prepared before I delve into her world again. I've only read Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence, which I loved. I understand how it's not for everyone, but while I don't have to like his protagonist, I loved his story. I got the impression that Mark Lawrence is a very clever writer, and I need to read more. While Crippled God is my favourite in the series, and Gardens of the Moon remains a favourite, Deadhouse Gates hit the hardest, along with Bonehunters. Ian Esslemont I plan to read soon. Two of the most underrated authors for me are Josiah Bancroft and Sebastien de Castell.
Want to Sincerly Thank you , kindly for giving Heather n Bone a 9 ? I am 120 pages into the book and love the world and the couple whose story is being told ! Refreshing and peaks my interest into plants ? My list includes your Top 20 if you make a list I would be more sure ! I have a lifetime to read all these authors as I am almost 65 and hope I read everything before I leave this world but you keep adding new ones to my list. Well maybe ? You find new authors 🎉 Congratulations on being a successful book tuber as I tune in !
Proud to have published 5 of those writers!
Oh, wow! That is definitely something to be proud of and celebrate! Congratulations!
Also, thank you for watching my video! It’s not every day that someone with accomplishments like yours drops by and leaves a comment. I appreciate it very much!
Any advice for getting published today? Especially if you're not from the US? I'm a writer from South Africa.
@@heinrichbestbier5458 The only and best advice I have is to get a good literary agent to represent you. Hardly anyone accepts submissions except from agents these days.
That's amazing! Must be a fulfilling job! 🤩
Hobb and Tolkien being tied and so high on the top makes me happy because those are two of my favourites ❤
They are pillars of the genre! Cheers!
Your YT-channel is number one on my list of YT-channels that make me want to read more fantasy books! 😉
Especially this series brought several titles on my list of books I want to read. And I already started one series (Green Bone Saga) because of these lists. Great final video! Thanks Philip Chase!
Thanks so much! I hope you're enjoying Green Bone Saga. It hit some very emotional moments for me in Jade War and Jade Legacy.
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy It is great so far, but I am only just half through Jade City. Looking forward to see how this series and their characters develop.
Your number one totally shocked me!🤣🤣🤣 The last list like this on this channel was over three years ago? Now that is surprising because that was the first Philip Chase video I ever watched and it means I'm watching this channel for over three years. Apart from two authors that I haven't read yet all the others would be on my list so not necessarily in the same order. Also, I of course need to reserve a place for that other fantasy writing medievalist. Great video, Philip! Especially for somebody who still claims that he doesn't like making top 10 lists!😁
Ha ha! Yes, I don't think I succeeded in surprising anyone with my number one. Time flies, doesn't it? And you are very kind to mention that medievalist who loves fantasy so much. All the best, Angela!
It also surprised me that that video is 3 years old! Time really does fly 🤯. And I agree, I loved your Edan trilogy so much, Philip, you would totally make the cut on my top ten fantasy authors nowaday 🥰
@@CarinaZacharias Thank you, Carina! 😊
Oh wow, this must be the most thought out, well rounded and complex top 10 ever. Beautiful!
Thanks so much, Abel!
Love this, Phillip. I just started House of Chains and I am sold on Malazan. Memories of Ice was a tragic masterpiece
"Tragic masterpiece" is, I think, an apt description. I hope you continue to love Malazan, Kaden!
I was pleasantly surprised with you praising Mark Lawrence, he is one of my favourite authors and I don't see him talked about as much in the book tube community. I am guessing people labeled him as grimdark after Jorg's story, but he defies classification with every new series.
I also liked the way you talked about the authors on your top 10, more than half of them are my personal favourites as well. It makes me more interested in looking into your trilogy now.
Thanks so much! I agree completely about Mark Lawrence redefining himself as a writer with every trilogy. All the best!
A clever plot to come around to making a top ten list in a more scientific manner. Hmm, I'm starting to see what your nemesis is always ranting about. Well thought out, planned and manipulated indeed. I love it!
Plans within plans, Jarrod! Plans within plans! It's the only way to stay ahead of the Nemesis.
Epic list! I’m not surprised by any of the names or number 1, but you added some surprises with the order! As always, I enjoyed hearing what you found compelling about each author’s work. I just recently ordered The Book That Wouldn’t Burn, and I’m excited to hear your thoughts about the sequel. Until next time! 😊
Oh, I hope you'll take a lot from The Book That Wouldn't Burn, Johanna -- I'll definitely be excited to hear your thoughts! Yes, the order here surprised me a bit too. It was an interesting exercise!
The ultimate book tube top ten: five thousand honorable mentions and its actually a top eleven
😁😁😁
What a brilliant idea to combine all of your lists into an all-encompassing list. Fantastic! After you rattled off who didn't make the list, I asked myself "well, who's left?!" Ha, seriously though. I really appreciated this video even more so because, to paraphrase something Janny once wrote me, this video was a "tonic" for me on an otherwise frustrating day. And that is what doctors are supposed to do!
I have to give credit to that viewer for the idea, and I’m happy I gave it a shot. I hope your evening proves less frustrating, my friend!
Great list! Very happy to see that Eselmont made it in there.I greatly enjoyed the Malazan Empire books. By the way, I just got your book, there are still a couple ahead in line but I promise I'll get to it. :)
@@amitwagner5075 Thank you, Amit! I deeply appreciate your support, and I wish you the best for all your reads!
Finally a booktuber that doesnt raise Brandon Sanderson to the skies! Will follow your videos and recommendations closely!👍
@@patrikisraelsson7530 Thank you! I’m grateful to Sanderson for bringing so many readers to fantasy, and I like the books by him that I’ve read (nine so far), but he’s writing books that he can be confident will appeal to a broad audience, not carefully crafting masterpieces that transcend genre. I wish him the best of success!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy thats a good take. I will jump on the malazan book asap after the Age of Madness trilogy 👍
Great to see so many fantastic writers on this list, many of which my own favourites! I too am a big fan of Lawrence’s writing, especially The Broken Empire trilogy- there’s genius in the subtlety of his prose, quite unique to him. His character work and world-building are among my favourite! It’s a treat to see him placed this high on your list ❤
Have not had the chance to get to Janny Wurt’s work yet, but the more I hear about it, the more excited I get to start!
Thanks for a great list! 😊
Thanks so much for watching! Lawrence is just brilliant, and I think he’s one of the most quotable authors out there - you’re spot on about his prose.
When I saw the title of the video I pulled out a pen and paper and wrote down a list of 10 guesses. Got 9 out of the 11 correct, haha!
Anyway I enjoyed this series of videos!! Informative and entertaining. Thanks for all the effort you put in! 😊
Let’s make it 9 of 10 since I sort of cheated by having 11, meaning you would have aced the Dr. Fantasy test! 😊 Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
Happy to see the reappreciation of Janny Wurts. I've been reading her for decades and her work was often dismissed as purple and overwrought. That's not an unfair criticism but that same weakness often manifests as a strength. I hope her books become more widely available. Even as someone intentionally searching her out, they were nearly impossible to find before Amazon and ebooks.
I hope to see more and more recognition of Janny Wurts’ brilliant contributions to fantasy and storytelling. She has a unique voice and such a startlingly vast vision.
This was like a breath of fresh air ! Thank you Professor Philip Chase ! :)
I’m so glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for watching!
the best type of morning is when you upload haha
Thank you so much! You made my morning with this kind comment!
Agreed 🙌🏼
But have you read Meiville yet ? 😉
@@ithrahmunchswallow468 Not yet, but I will!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I look forward to the "weird" update 😉🤪
Soo happy to see Gene Wolfe in your top 10, doesn’t make enough top 10’s, also there’s a great podcast Alzabo Soup that breaks down each book 2 chapters at time, revealing how name origins relate to characters and soo soo much more and how insanely nuanced and layered the story is! Cheers great video and newly subscribed!
Thank you! Before my eventual reread, I intend to watch some of Alzabo Soup’s videos. All the best!
The fact you built your channel with so rare "top #" weekly clickbait videos is admirable
Thank you! I really do prefer in depth discussion and analysis over any other type of video. That said, this sort of thing can be fun every once in a while. All the best!
I was happy you mentioned Guy Gavriel Kay, despite him not making your top 10. He’s been my favourite author for many years.
I've got my eyes on my reread of Tigana later this year, and then I plan to keep reading a lot more of Kay's books after that. I'm looking forward to it all very much!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Under Heaven and The Lions of Al-Rassan as well!
I love that: "part of my DNA" when talking about Le Guin. For me, Patrica A Mckillip is a part of my DNA. I love no one else's prose more than hers. She turned me into a book worm at the age of 9. I told her that when i met her in person at a convention - so glad to have been able to meet her. Brandon Sanderson's work dominated much of my life since 2012. I should read more fantasy but i haven't picked up a book in the past 2 years. i've been watching anime, now addicted to anime OST's, openings/outros and Japanese pop music because of anime (also going to Japan later this year). I've been watching a lot of Adam Taggart lately on finances/economics lately while doing puzzles, too--so I find things to keep me from picking up a book. Hope to get back to reading.
How wonderful that you got to meet your literary hero! I hope you’ll have an amazing visit to Japan, and best wishes for your reading if you decide to get back into it!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy thank you! And thank you for this wonderful list of TBR’s for me, especially Malazan which I’ve been meaning to start…at some point in my life 😜
Most top tens I have watched have similar authors, this video has opened up new avenues! I'm definitely going to be trying out some of these authors. Cheers!
Thank you! I hope you’ll enjoy the new ones!
Your 1 and 2 match with my two favourite fictional characters. Nona is my second favourite character for her fierceness and her loyalty. Tavore is my favourite character because she is Tavore.
Those are two excellent choices for favorite fantasy characters! They would be near or at the top of my list too.
What a list! The honourable mentions made my jaw drop. I have never thought about how many great authors are working in the genre 😍
It’s really incredible how much talent there is in the genre. Cheers, Al!
The best things about lists like these for me is seeing how my tastes differ from other Booktubers. For example, Gwynne is an author I could not get into, however it’s interesting to see him in your top 10 and the reasons why. Sometimes hearing why someone likes an author I do not makes me want to revisit them, and this makes me want to revisit Gwynne.
Thanks, Dark-O! My philosophy is that I have something to learn from anyone I meet, and that goes double for anyone expressing their experience of a book. I appreciate you watching and commenting!
Great series! One element I admire is flexibility as you said with Lawrence (which I appreciate couldn't be covered that well in a fantasy only list). So authors like King, Jemisin or RF Kuang have an amazing range of stories.
So true, and well said! I’d love to read more by them.
For me, making a list like this would be HARD beyond a top 3. But what Im sure of is that you are definetly on my list 😃😃
Thank you so much! This comment gave me a big smile and made my day!
So interesting to hear some detailed reasoning behind a top list! One of the reasons your videos stand out, in my view, is the quality of arguments behind the opinions.
Are you interested in making something similar broken down by length? Your favourite short stories, novellas, standalone novels and series? And then another top-of-the-top, the most versatile writers.
Excellent ideas! I'll probably hold off on more top ten videos for a while just to avoid the stress, but I think those sorts of distinctions deserve to be explored. Thank you so much for the kind words, Igor -- it's always great to hear from you!
I’ve been procrastinating on keeping up with booktube, but I had been looking forward to watching this one. Here for all the love for Queen Hobb! Fantastic list obviously Philip!
Thank you, Scot! It’s awesome to hear from you, my friend. I hope you’re doing great!
Ursula K LeGuin and Wolfe tying for the same place is poetic. They were contemporaries, friends and greatly respected each other as authors.
Le Guin is famously quoted as saying that Wolfe is “Our Melville”.
Also - if you do read more of Wolfe’s work you might realise that he belongs in a lot more of the categories you have made. The Worldbuilding in The Wizard Knight is absolutely beautiful and the ending of sequence of “The Wizard “ will knock your socks off ! The Book of the Short Sun will most likely make you cry as will The Wizard Knight.
I am biased of course - Wolfe is my favourite author and I am always envious of someone who can experience his books for the first time .
Do finish the Solar Cycle - you won’t regret it .
I will definitely read more books by Wolfe. Cheers!
What a creative way to put together this top 10 list!
I was very surprised by your number 2! I will very soon be cracking open Red Sister and am looking forward to it!
I hope you’ll love Red Sister, which has the best opening line in all of fantasy in my opinion. Cheers!
@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy I have heard...But surely it's not better than "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit."
😁
@@ZOMGfantasy That is a classic!
That is a great list.
You have sent Gwynn and Lawrence to the top of my fantasy TBR.
I was mulling over your picks as I tried to think of my own top 10. It gave me anxiety 😅.
These lists are a unique form of torture. II hope you’ll love Gwynne and Lawrence’s books!
Great video Philip! Glad to see Le Guin and Abercrombie on this list. Not surprised about Erikson. I liked your point system. 😊
Thank you, Chas! I was very sad about Gaiman just barely missing the list!
Gene Wolfe is one of my favorite Authors, but as someone who struggles with dyslexia...they do take me a while. But I always feel accomplished when I'm through. But I absolutely love the completely unapologetic way he tells a story. He doesn't hold your hand, he writes as if you live in the world, and so many of his ideas feel truly unique.
Well said! You’ve described his writing exactly as I experienced it. Cheers!
Great to see Mark Lawrence in this list! I’ve only ready The book that wouldn’t burn and I loved it. Cannot wait to read some more of his work. From what I’ve heard his stuff is quite diverse as well, a truly talented writer
Thank you! Lawrence is absolutely brilliant!
Loved how you went about this top list, and it was fun to see all of our overlaps as well as to get excited for all the incredible authors I have yet to try! I haven't yet dived into Lawrence, Wolfe, or Wurts, and have only dipped my toes into Le Guin's works, so I have so much ahead to discover.
Right with you on the emotional side of John Gwynne combined with that gritty action, and the many talents of both Esslemont and Erikson! I maintain that Night of Knives is the single most underrated Malazan work there is -- what a gripping tale! I just finished up Fool's Assassin and was utterly blown away by Hobb yet again -- what a master at deep character work!
I hope you’ll enjoy books by Lawrence, Wurts, and Wolfe when you get to them, Ben! May you have many great reads ahead!
A solid top ten, Philip. And in truth, if I used the same scoring system I don't think mine would be radically different.
Thank you, DJ! I take that as a massive compliment, coming from you!
What an amazing culmination of these amazing lists! No wonder you are 1 of the best of us doing the booktube thing!
Thank you, John! I have to give credit to the viewer who suggested the idea of compiling the lists. I'm not sure how sound my methodology is here, but it was fun. I look forward to your livestream tomorrow!
I think I never commented on one of your videos, although I've been following your channel for a while. Your in depht analysis are among the best in this platform, and now I can say that your top 10's are also up there. I believe this is due to how articulate you are. I'm glad I found your channel. Great work!
Thank you so much for commenting, especially with such kind words! I deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness!
Glad to see Le Guin on the list! While I'm a fan more of the hainish cycle, I still enjoyed earthsea
Thank you! I hope to start the Hainish Cycle later this year. All the best!
It was really interesting to watch my reaction to that video, because with all the great authors you told us at the start that didn't make the cut, I wasn't sure if that list would actually vibe with me. 30 minutes later and I think that this is probably one of the most perfectly crafted top tens I ever saw.
I haven't read all of the authors on that list, but from those I have and especially because of how you commented on them, I immediately want to rectify that mistake. Which adds to my already vast tbr, but who cares about that.
Three authors I really love (and are rarely mentioned in lists like this) that , at least at the moment, would probably make my own top 10 list, are Anthony Ryan, Robert Jackson Bennett and Martha Wells. And with all three, it's probably the diversity of their writings that make me such a big fan.
With all three, you basically have no idea what to expect next, when they open a new chapter in their writing. If you read Martha Well's Ile-Rien books, she basically changes the setting and the subgenre within a single series, and it makes complete sense. Not to speak of the jump to the Sci-Fi-genre with her crazy Murderbot series. Ryan's Raven Shadow's trilogy (and the follow-up Raven's Blade duology) is, in my opinion, probably the best Epic fantasy written in the last 10+ years and then he suddenly goes Steam/Magipunk with his equally great Draconis Memoria trilogy. And if we're talking about weird, Bennett's Divine Cities trilogy has tons of that, and then he completely shifts gears with the Foundryside novels.
I could basically put them in any of the categories you wrote about and argue why they belong there. And while I haven't read everything they have put out so far, the things I don't have rank very, very high in my pile.
Thank you for your kind words! Also, I love your suggestions and the reasons you give for enjoying their books!
0:51
Interestingly, a certain “tale of laugh” checkmarks all this criteria. Even little, one thing, the _-author-_ madlad doesn't shy away from flexing it's fiction's ridiculous range!
Any question if you might have, this is the answer “I think, it was cool.”
I really like such beauty of simplicity in crafting.
I don't know if you had mentioned, but this is supposedly one of it's primary strength, touching the surface of likehoodness (simplicity) first, instead of directly aiming for the backend of likehoodness (complexity) through a bypass.
Curiosity on the list! 👀
Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
You're a deeply sensitive man. It would seem, and I doubt I am wrong, that you are touched by the divine. Thanks for the stellar list!
You are very kind, Jason! I appreciate you watching and commenting!
Immaculate list. Truly awesome taste and out of the generic box.
Thank you! I appreciate the kind words, and I wish you the best with your reading!
This is what youtube supposed to be... great analysis.. highly informative.. and thoroughly enjoyes
Thank you, Anil - I’m glad you enjoyed the video!
Not sure why it's only now I saw this, such a great list, Philip. Love that John Gwynne, GRRM, Joe Abercrombie, Tolkien, Robin Hobb, and Steven Erikson are on your list. Also, it's cool that you're ranking this based on points! I do that, too! I just started Curse of the Mistwraith, and as a huge fan of Riftwar Empire, I expect her to become one of my favorites! :D
Thank you, Petrik! I hope that you will get a lot from Curse of the Mistwraith. I am loving WOLAS more with every book I read, but book one sets the tone for the series, and I will never forget the last hundred pages or so. All the best!
I don't think I've ever heard of any of these authors, so thank you for the recommendations!
My pleasure! Thank you for watching!
What a wonderful way to make a Top 10 Authors list - such a fun video! Some huge hitters here and some others I am desperate to get to - Le Guin in particular. Great video as always, sir!
Ed
Thanks, Ed! I was delighted that Papa Gwynne made the list, and it seemed appropriate to me that he tied with GRRM. Both authors write amazing action, and while very few can compete with GRRM when it comes to world building, John Gwynne is among the elite (Hobb, Erikson, Tolkien) when it comes to authors who make me emotional and turn on the tears. Truth and Courage!
I enjoyed this series, and loved this capstone video, even if the top was not suspenseful haha! I'm excited to read Mark Lawrence for the first time next month.
Ha ha! Yes, I’m afraid the top spot was a given. I hope you’ll enjoy Lawrence’s writing, Josh!
I haven't read Gwynne, Wolfe, or Wurts yet. I will have to add them to my list! I love that you included Esslemont, I've read Malazan series 4 times now, the most epic fantasy series of all time. I didn't love the Library Trilogy but the rest of Lawrence's work is amazing and I count him as the most influential author to me as an adult, his own books as well as SPFBO have changed my reading habits!
I hadn’t realized you had read Malazan that many times, Cam. Cool!
What a cool way to compile a list! Have to be honest, I’m completely shocked by your top spot! 😂 all jokes aside, there were definitely some surprises on here and MANY authors that I have not yet read but am so incredibly excited to. I haven’t seen all of your other “top” videos yet so I have some catching up to do! Hope all is well, Philip.
Thank you, Colin! I think I surprised absolutely no one with my number one. 😂 All the best, buddy!
Guð minn góður ég var hissa um n.1! ;) What a fun way of making your top ten list(s), I've really enjoyed this journey. It's also so fun to see your enthusiasm. I really must get to Malazan some time soon!
I hope you’ll enjoy Malazan when you get there, Sam. Also, I will indeed be in Reykjavik for a few days this summer! If you email me at philipchase90@gmail.com, I’ll let you know the details. All the best!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Excellent! I’ll do just that.
I appreciate your sharing your approach to how you were able to compile your list, Philip. I have thought of doing a top 10 author list at some point but find it just too difficult to narrow down. So many great authors out there. Off the bat though: Hobb, Gwynne, Abercrombie, and Abraham would make mine. Erickson & GGK has potential as A Song for Arbonne was one of my favorite reads of 2024 thus far but it's the only GGK book I have read and read only up to Deadhouse Gates with Erikson's work. In the meantime, here is to both of us discovering new potential favorite authors in the future! - Cheers
Let the journey never end! Cheers, Christopher!
A truly legendary top 10 list! Really love how you put this together, makes for a fresh twist on this type of list video. I am glad to see Hobb and Lawrence getting the love they deserve. And I keep saying it, but I really need to try Erikson, sounds like I am missing out big time 🤣
Malazan will be there when you’re ready, Esmay! Thanks so much for watching!
Extremely strong list. Maybe Mark Lawrence should have given you a signed copy of his latest book.
Ha ha! I wouldn’t have said no. Cheers, Richard!
sir i just found your channel though this video, and i am really loving it
I’m so glad! Thank you for the kind words!
I was delighted to hear you discuss Beowulf with The Legendarium podcast and am newly arrived at your channel. Have you read Susannah Clarke or Stuart Turton?
I have read Clarke’s Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (before I started my channel) as well as Piranesi (which I reviewed for the channel and remains one of my more popular reviews, I’m happy to say). I love them both. I haven’t yet read Turton. I’m glad you enjoyed that chat on Beowulf - it was fun for me to discuss it with Craig. All the best!
Just started listening to the Liveship Traders trilogy on Audible, because both the Farseer and Liveship trilogies are included (maybe free, but I'm a subscriber) in Audible subscriptions and wow, I loved Ship of Magic and just started Mad Ship and it's going just as good. So stoked to have access to both of those trilogies at no additional cost! I get to use my credits to maybe get the rest of the series. Listening to Lord of the Rings with the 15 hour/mo allowance of audiobooks with a premium subscription, and obviously Tolkien is a legend in Fantasy writing. A good time to listen to audiobooks!
I’m glad you’re enjoying those stories as audiobooks! I’ve tried audiobooks, including LOTR narrated by the amazing Andy Serkis, and they just don’t work well for me. I’m glad they exist for people who love them, though!
I am currently reading Malazan for the first time and as we speak am working my way through the Y'Ghatan sequence and oh my god, I can almost feel the heat on my skin as I follow our PoVs through the city. Erikson is a true master and I had no doubt he would be your number one!
Oh, Y’Ghatan! No one is the same after that. My very best to you for your Malazan journey!
I hope Eiichiro Oda will join your list someday, because he's pretty good at many of these categories and seems to get better with age.
I agree that Oda is amazing at most of these categories. That said, I think of manga as a different medium. Like fantasy novels, it includes the very best storytelling, but it achieves it in a slightly different ways, starting with illustrations being at the center of the experience. So, I’ll probably keep manga and fantasy separate for the purposes of videos like this. Someday, when I’ve read enough manga, perhaps I’ll do something like this for it, and I imagine Oda at the top of the list!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Cool, and fair enough.
Excellent list Phil. Sadly I don’t have a top 10 yet, maybe someday, when I’ve read a lot more authors. On the bright side, I’m gonna finally start draft 2 of my book next week! Excited!
Oh, best wishes for the writing, Marco!
I loved how you calculated the total scores of all your different categories to form this list. It made for a great summary and some great insights!
Abercrombie has been my favorite author for a while, but you've pointed out a few others here I really need to get around to (Steven Erikson being key among those).
I'm also very excited you're planning on reading more GGK! He's another top author for me because of his emotional, poetic prose and characters who pull on your heartstrings. There is a sense of history and timelessness to his work that I struggle to describe...he's obviously captivated by good story and lore. I've heard several people recommend his "Tigana" or "Lions of Al-Rassan," but my personal favorite was "Under Heaven." His sequences are so vivid, beautiful, and fresh...I can't wait to hear your thoughts as you dig in!
Thanks so much, Morgan! I’m excited to return to Tigana after so many years and expand my reading of GGK’s books. All the best!
Hi Philip - New subscriber here. Have you tried the Sun Eater series by Christopher Ruocchio? I'm no sci-fi gal and this had me hooked! The prose is exceptional with so many beautiful quotes, and the world building is like no other, and the battle scenes will have you reading pages on end in one breath. It's a Name of the Winds meets Dune kind of book. It's told from a first person POV so it's easy to digest and understand. And the protagonist goes through so much he'll break your heart. Please give it a try!
I have Sun Eater on my TBR and will start reading it in September. I’m excited for it as I’ve heard lots of praise. Cheers!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy September seems so far away!! Haha but I’ll wait 😅
Just started reading Malazan, and in the final 3rd of the Gardens of the Moon, and let me just say that Steven Erikson is fast becoming a top favourite of mine along with G.R.R.M! Am very much looking forward to continuing the series! Already is astounding.
Great list, Philip :-) There are SO many great Fantasy authors, some I still need to try.
There really are so many, and I’ll never get to them all. It’s a good problem. I’m delighted that you’re enjoying Erikson’s prose so far!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy The Gardens of the Moon is soooo good!
I started by listening to the audio book on Libby as a taste-test, and knew I was sold on Malazan by Chapter One, when I realized that I had been completely pulled into the world (hearing about Sorry and Rigga) and I had lost all sense of my real life surroundings! That sensation rarely happens to me, so I was sold there and then 😁😊🙌👌👏
Heard that GotM is Erikson's weakest book, so wow, holy smokes, am I ever looking forward to reading more then!
So much to ponder up on.
Also, Kruppe cracks me up 😂
@@ladyfox6705 It’s a very good sign if you like Kruppe! 😊
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasyKruppe's a hoot! Hearing the narrator, Ralph Lister (?) read his dialogue is hilarious 😂
Love Tattersail, as well.
Definitely keeping my eyeballs on certain people already...makes me think, love that. Little sprinkles of foreshadowing, too 👀
Bought the first 2 books already, so having fun immersive-reading atm 😊
Another great video, Philip. I could never put together a top ten list. There are just too many great authors, each with unique voices. When do you think we will have the Peril’s Gap discussion? I have not started reading it but I want to keep up. Thanks 🙏
Thank you, Francois! This really is an impossible task to execute with perfection satisfaction. It's kind of fun to fail at it, though. I anticipate the Peril's Gap discussion will happen in June. All the best!
Great list. I've only read half of these authors but I'm interested in all the one's I haven't.
Malazan has been on my radar for a while now but it's so massive and complex I'm a bit intimidated by it. Hearing you speak so highly of it is pushing me closer to doing so, though.
I hope you’ll enjoy Malazan and any of the others you might try!
1. J. R. R. Tolkien
2. George R. R. Martin
3. Robert E. Howard
4. Fritz Lieber
5. Ursula LeGuin
6. T. H. White
7. Katherine Kurtz
8. Evangeline Walton
9. Patricia McKillip
10. Edgar Rice Burroughs
An excellent list! Cheers!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Thanks!
It's surprising and a bit disappointing that my personal Top 5 didn't make it in this Top 10 *_nor_* among the special mentions. 😮
Feel free to mention your top five - I’m always happy to get recommendations!
This was a fun video!
I recently picked up The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin. I was a bit mixed on The Left Hand of Darkness, but I think the style of The Lathe of Heaven will be to my taste. Looking forward to it!
I myself will be reading Le Guin’s science fiction later this year. Cheers, Jonathan!
I knew what number one was going to be but it was nice seeing the rest of the authors on the list. Some of which I still need to read.
Yes, I’m afraid there was no mystery about my number one. 😁 Thanks for watching, Tom, and thanks as well for finishing The Edan Trilogy!
I am so happy that Gene made it in your top ten here. My favorite author his skill undeniable. Excited for the eventual re-read. All his books are meant to be re-read. Also have you read Urth of the New Sun? It is the codex to New Sun but will also leave you with more questions haha
Thank you! Urth of the New Sun is on my list, and I think I’ll tackle it before the reread of Book of the New Sun. All the best!
A great idea to pool those lists together into this one. It's interesting because I figured Steven Erickson would be top, then either Hobb or Tolkien, but seeing Mark Lawrence up there is really cool!
I read The Book That Wouldn't Burn based on your very high praise and really enjoyed it. I read The Book That Broke The World recently and that was certainly The Book That Broke My Mind. Also I read the highly underappreciated short stories, too! Now I'm halfway through Prince of Thorns and loving it. Thanks for introducing me to this awesome author.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying Lawrence’s books! Thank you for sharing that with me, and my best for your reading!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy Thanks Philip! I just finished Prince of Thorns and it was truly excellent! I'm so excited to continue with the series.
Tolkein at #1, Sit PTerry at #2 if I had a 'best of' list. You just inspired me to get a Mark Lawrence off the library audiobook shelf, Prince of Thorns, specifically.
I hope you’ll get a lot from Prince of Thorns! Cheers!
Excellent list Philip! I'm embarrassed to admit I've only read from two authors on this list, John Gwynne and Ursula K Le Guin. I'm still so frustrated that I haven't yet gotten my hands on The Book that Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence. From what you've said of it, it sounds right up my alley.
I hope you’ll enjoy The Book That Wouldn’t Burn whenever you get to it, Marianne!
This video was so great, Philip. So happy you included George R.R. Martin. I can't wait to dive into Janny Wurts. I think I'm going to make an official TBR so I can keep myself disciplined. I'm quite a mood reader, but I don't know if that's actually good for me. As for Book of the New Sun, the series is profoundly good. I love your point about loving a book but not necessarily enjoying it. I definitely enjoyed the first book in the traditional sense of that word, but I, like you, am not so sure I "enjoyed" the last three. I wrestled with them, is more accurate. I taught A Wizard of Earthsea in my Fantasy and SF Lit course. The kids loved the Taoist themes, the originality, and the poetic qualities you mentioned. Tolkien is likely always going to be my favorite. Here's a BookTube question: Do you think UA-cam viewers would appreciate deep dive episodes of each of the books? Or is that space too saturated? Is there too much Tolkien content? I've been considering doing that this summer, as I've been teaching LOTR for 4 years now. Worth doing, or no?
Thank you, Jordan! To answer your question, the experience I've had, unfortunately, is that Tolkien-related content does okay but not very well in our corner of BookTube. There are very successful Tolkien-focused channels, but I think that audience must be different from most of mine. That said, if you're passionate about it, go for it, and I hope you prove me wrong. Also, "wrestling" is a great way to describe my experience with Book of the New Sun. Cheers!
Great list! I always find it funny how people take it so personally when their favourite author is left off of someone else’s list? Everyone’s list will and should be different. Be well, stay safe!
Thank you! Yes, it’s strange that some people expect other people’s lists to be the same as theirs. I appreciate you watching and commenting!
Really glad I found your channel! Thanks for making this list, especially. Many (not all) of the authors you excluded are ones I have tried to like but never really gripped my interest (Like Sanderson, Williams,and Jemisin)
I am excited to see a list *not including* a lot of authors that are included in similar lists and putting forward some authors I hadn’t even heard of! I’m hoping to find something that I can really get into while I wait to be in the mood for another Malazan book, lol. We seem to have some similar tastes, especially Le Guin. Thanks again!
I hope you’ll find some winners from the list! Thank you for watching and commenting!
Look, I know how much you hate ranking things, but this is a GREAT way for new readers (like myself) to prioritize the MASSIVE list of authors to explore! Also this was just fun :)
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Alec! Despite the anxiety, I might have had a little fun while making it . . . 😁 All the best!
@@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy good! 🤍
Hello Dr. C. Seeing all the books/series you've read in the genre makes me feel like a complete novice. But I'm OK with that because my tastes have shifted in other directions while still including fantasy books. An author I'd have to include high on my list would be Anne Rice. She used supernatural stories to explore big, universal themes in powerful ways. Several of your favs reside on my TBR, including Abercrombie, Hobb and LeGuin. Thanks for sharing your love of reading with us.
Thanks, Curt! We are all learners when it comes to reading!
Erikson and Lawrence as your top two? Frankly, I'm shocked. SHOCKED!
I can’t escape from the numbers. 😁
Awesome stuff! Have you read The Bartimaeus Trilogy? Underrated I think
I read the first book and enjoyed it very much!
David Gemmel “The Drenai Saga” all day every day my #1! Legend is my favourite book, I read it a few times a year.
Legend is awesome!
I’m reading my first Janny Wurts book currently…The Master of Whitestorm. Absolutely loving it so far.
I will read that once I finish WOLAS. I’m glad you’re loving it!
Your Top 10 videos are my favorite Philip 😊❤
Aw, thank you, Kat! You are very kind! 😊
that "knock your socks off" photo. That was way more suggestive than I thought
Ha ha! I mean, I have never considered my feet all that interesting, pale and flappy as they are. 😁
I am so happy to see some new top 10 lists,others are just regurgitating the same content,some are like compilation of other youtubers videos,ugh I hate those
You and petrik leo are the best
I’m glad you enjoyed the video! Also, I agree that Petrik is awesome.
Timestamps would really help
Congratulations on 30k subs🎉
Really cool list. I like that you used a point system to come up with your picks. Sounds like I really do need to check out Janny Wurts and John Gwynne soon - I've read a lot from all the other authors here. Curious, have you read any Glen Cook as yet?
Thank you! I've read the first three Black Company books. The first was my favorite, but I also would like to reread them someday and continue with the series. If you check out Wurts and Gwynne (very different authors, but both marvelous in their own ways), I hope you'll enjoy their books!
Great List!! thanks you so mush!
Thank you for watching, Mikael! 😊
Tolkien's books suffer (unfairly in my opinion) from their own success and their age. The Hobbit was first published in 1937. The Lord of the Rings was first published in 1954 for Fellowship of the Rings, 1954 for the Two Towers and 1955 for Return of the King. (Then of course you have the success of the Peter Jackson movies). Because they are so well known and been around for so long they tend to get downplayed a bit.
However: Tolkien's books are the standard against which all other fantasy books (and authors) are measured. He grandfathered the genre basically. So for books that were published 87 years ago for the Hobbit, and approximately 70 years ago for the Lord of the Rings series, they still stand up wonderfully well. What other fantasy author and book series will stand that test of time so well. For me in light of all the above, and what the genre owes to Tolkien, yet alone the incredible worldbuilding, story lines, character development etc, Tolkien will always be number 1. Other authors may approach the standard but yet to see it truly surpassed.
Praise for Tolkien’s storytelling is music to my ears. He may no longer be my personal favorite author, but I’ll never argue against anyone who says he’s theirs. All the best!
I like this “scientific” method. Well done. -Palmer
Thank you, Palmer! It produced a couple surprises for me, but in a good way, I think.
Several of these are on my own list; particularly if we are just talking living authors.
1. Joe Abercrombie
2. Brandon Sanderson
3. Steven Erikson
4. Mark Lawrence
5. John Gwynne
6. Anthony Ryan
7. Nicolaus Eames
8. Patrick Rothfuss
9. George Martin
10. Brian McClellen
If we add in authors who are no longer with us then David Gemmell and Robert Jordan slide into #2 & #3 spots respectively.
An excellent list! Thanks for sharing it!
Very interesting List! It is more your Top 10 most versatile Fantasy Authors rather than your Top 10 favorite Fantasy Authors, isnt it?
I think you're right about that! It's a different approach, and it does emphasize versatility since authors can score in multiple categories.
From your interviews you could do a top 10 authors that got writers reading again.
That's a cool idea! Brandon Sanderson would likely be number one. JK Rowling and JRR Tolkien (especially for us slightly older folks) would be on the list, I think. All the best!
I'll have to read Steven Erikson. I've heard he has unique structures, which is a great way to hook me. I like not knowing where things are going, not knowing how to judge a character right off the bat, and books that feel organic and character driven rather than contriving to some pre-established plot model. I also like books that are explorations/journeys through interesting worlds, cultures, environments, and peoples.
In that case, it sounds like Malazan was written for you! I hope you’ll enjoy it.
I’ll admit, I was surprised to see Wolfe on the list at all, let alone midway down the list, so he didn’t just squeak in. It’s truly fitting to see he and Le Guin tied, as they’re probably the two most comparable in terms of overall craft, influence, inventiveness, etc. They were mutual admirers, even.
Have you considered reading other Wolfe stuff? I wonder how you’d like the Soldier books (kinda the inverse of New Sun - Ancient Greece instead of future Urth; narrator has a damaged memory instead of claiming perfect memory; etc.). It’s the only other Wolfe I’ve read so far. The other I think you’d have lots to say about is the Wizard-Knight duology, since you’re a medievalist and many say it’s second only to New Sun. (I need to read it, still…)
A fine and respectable list, Philip. Always enjoyable :)
Thank you, Paul! Wolfe deserves a place on my list, I think - even if I don’t know it yet (which seems like something Severian might say). All the best!
For a fella such as you who admittedly hates making top 10 videos, yours have become my favs in this space!! Lol! Amazing video Philip! And what a list! I do wonder who will change positions in your estimation as you read more from specific authors! I predict Williams will move into your top ten perhaps in the future once you read more from him, and that Wurts will climb up a bit as well, as will Gwynne. And of course, I wonder if anyone can unseat Steven Erikson, though of course he is a more than worthy choice to top the list! As always you have taken a thoughtful, cerebral approach to compiling your list, and you should be commended for that. The only surprise for me from what I know of your tastes, was Martin over Abercrombie. I thought Martin's worldbuilding specifically would place him above Abercrombie for you, but I see your rationale of course. I'd have to say for me personally (although we'd all wish he'd find a way to finish ASOIAF) Martin is still near the top of my list. Thank you for posting this wonderful content, it has been riveting to see your choices on these matters! Great for inspiring discussion, debate, and love of reading great books! Happy reading!
Thanks so much, PL! Martin definitely beats Abercrombie when it comes to world building. Abercrombie didn’t even place in my world building video, whereas Martin placed very high. But I love Abercrombie’s humor and his action (Martin is no slouch in those categories either). I do think Wurts has the most potential to climb in my ranking - GGK and Williams will be contenders too. Too many great authors!
Robin Hobb is the only author (so far) where I must mention her prose in my reviews. She writes beautiful stories that hit hard. So hard, in fact, that I've not read any Hobb since I finished the Farseer Trilogy in 2021. I want to be absolutely mentally prepared before I delve into her world again.
I've only read Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence, which I loved. I understand how it's not for everyone, but while I don't have to like his protagonist, I loved his story. I got the impression that Mark Lawrence is a very clever writer, and I need to read more.
While Crippled God is my favourite in the series, and Gardens of the Moon remains a favourite, Deadhouse Gates hit the hardest, along with Bonehunters. Ian Esslemont I plan to read soon.
Two of the most underrated authors for me are Josiah Bancroft and Sebastien de Castell.
I haven’t read anything by de Castell yet, but I agree with you that Bancroft deserves much more recognition. He’s a brilliant writer. Cheers, Farhad!
Want to Sincerly Thank you , kindly for giving Heather n Bone a 9 ?
I am 120 pages into the book and love the world and the couple whose story is being told ! Refreshing and peaks my interest into plants ? My list includes your Top 20 if you make a list I would be more sure ! I have a lifetime to read all these authors as I am almost 65 and hope I read everything before I leave this world but you keep adding new ones to my list. Well maybe ? You find new authors 🎉 Congratulations on being a successful book tuber as I tune in !
I’m so glad you’re enjoying Hills of Heather and Bone! I loved that book as a beautiful meditation on grief and love featuring a wonderful couple.