Top 10 Fantasy Novels by Female Authors

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by charlesatan

In retrospect, I think the list is more to introduce readers to:

1) relatively new writers
2) that are female and
3) feature female protagonists

I think the list was spin intended to sell specific books and authors and has nothing to do with it's title.

Likely a "paid" advertisement.

[AbigailF]

I've not read Hobb either but there are some definite omissions on that list. Everyone's mentioned some epic ones that really should have been included if it was legit. Not to have any of those...highly suspect...

Lol, I'm inclined to agree with KennyC

[bloodlover]

Ursula K. Le Guin also has some SF mixed with fantasy novels (Rocannon's World for ex.) so maybe that's why she;s not there?

Robin Hobb on the other hand seemed weak to me.

Also, what about Marion Zimmer Bradley?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by bloodlover

Ursula K. Le Guin also has some SF mixed with fantasy novels (Rocannon's World for ex.) so maybe that's why she;s not there?

I find Le Guin's writing to be awful.

[AndrewH]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I find Le Guin's writing to be awful.

I loved the Earthsea books, but I really haven't enjoyed anything else of hers.

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by AndrewH

I loved the Earthsea books, but I really haven't enjoyed anything else of hers.

+1.

Tried to find something else I liked by her for years before giving up.

[charlesatan]

Originally Posted by kennyc

I think the list was spin intended to sell specific books and authors and has nothing to do with it's title.

Likely a "paid" advertisement.

Personal bias (of the writer), perhaps.

Paid advertisement? Unlikely, considering the books are from various publishers (Tor, Knopf, Night Shade). Unless you think they were all in collusion.

[Mujokan]

I would recommend the 8th book of Thieves' World (Soul of the City) by CJ Cherryh, Janet Morris and Lynn Abbey. This is the big dramatic conclusion of a bunch of TW plotlines. Cherryh is a master of atmosphere and Morris is a master of tough action stories.

[bill_mchale]

I don't think we can rationalize away some of the better authors who were omitted just because they are often better known for writing SF, rather than straight fantasy. Le Guin for example might be better known as a SF writer (I am not sure I buy that... I have always thought of her writing to be balanced between the two)... but it is undeniable that the Wizard of Earthsea trilogy is straight up fantasy.

I am definitely with those who are of the opinion that this list is simply about bringing newer authors to prominence, not recognizing the truly best novels ever written.

--
Bill

[charlesatan]

Originally Posted by bill_mchale

Le Guin for example might be better known as a SF writer (I am not sure I buy that... I have always thought of her writing to be balanced between the two).
--
Bill

Yeah, I think Le Guin straddles both lines quite well, and her SF is very different from her fantasy.

Left Hand of Darkness for example is quite a difficult read. Wizard of Earthsea, on the other hand, not so much.

And then there's her huge swath of short stories in addition to translation work (such as the fiction of Angélica Gorodischer).

[specsavage]

Anyone who loves Robin Hobb had better check out Megan Lindholm's fantasies. Especially since they're the same person.

[DiapDealer]

Anyone who loves Robin Hobb had better check out Megan Lindholm's fantasies. Especially since they're the same person.

But she wrote books under different names for good reasons. They're different. Enjoying the Robin Hobb titles does not automatically mean readers would like the Megan Lindholm titles—or vice versa. The Lindholm books are mostly "contemporary" fantasy where the Hobb books are more epic traditional european medieval stuff.

[specsavage]

Actually, when she first did that, it was more for commercial reasons than aesthetic. In those days, Ace Books (the original imprint for the Lindholm books) and Bantam (the Hobb publisher) were somewhat at odds. She told me at one convention in the 80's or early 90's that the reason was almost entirely financial. Anyway, the Lindholm books are NOT all contemporary fantasy. Only THE WIZARD OF THE PIGEONS was...not books like THE LIMBRETH GATE, HARPY'S FLIGHT, and THE WINDSINGERS.

[DiapDealer]

Well lets put it this way then ... I've not found any of the Lindholm books that I've enjoyed as much as some the Hobb books.

[GreenMonkey]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Well lets put it this way then ... I've not found any of the Lindholm books that I've enjoyed as much as some the Hobb books.

Ditto.

I read the Ki & Vandien books just a couple of months ago, having been a Hobb fan for years and never getting around to reading them. And the 2 Tillu and Kerlew books.

Now I enjoyed them alright - I liked the Tillu and Kerlew books better - but it was a totally different style of fantasy - more small-scale fantasy tales than what she writes as Hobb, which is more epic/large scale.