My favourite Fantasy Fiction writers

When I say fantasy novels, what springs to mind? Exotic tales with explicit text or Dragons, hero's, Wizards and magical quests? Well I am talking about the latter; pure escapism into a different world where magic can solve most problems and knights do battle to save damsels, and animals can talk.

I was introduced to fantasy books at a young age; my Dad loved Tolkein and my sister would read me a chapter from the C.S. Lewis Narnia chronicles each night - how I waited with excitement for her to come to bed and tell me what happened next. I soon grew a love for the magical worlds and fantastical creatures, out stripping my sisiter, though not my dad as we just shared the new authors we found. So I've listed here a few of my favourite authors for you, and a taster of their books. If you've never dipped into the world of fantasy novels I hope I can pique your interest.

British born Terry Pratchett has written a huge collection of novels based on his fantastical world 'The Discworld'. It is a flat world that rotates on the backs of four elephants that stand on the shell of a huge turtle that swims through space. The discworld novels strike amazing comparrisons with our sometimes chaotic world, and Terry Pratchett has a humour that will keep you turning page after page.

The Discworld Novels come in different 'groups'. Although they can be read apart, there is a sequence to his writing that follows through the novels. The groups are: The Nightwatch, Death, The Witches, The Ankh Morpork and the stand alone titles.

Terry Pratchett's wry humour has sold millions of the discworld novels. He has also written childrens books, many of which have been turned into television serials. He is a fantastic writer of great humour and imagination, made all the more poignant as he was recently diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers. Still, he has vowed to continue writing as long as he is able, and I, as many other people around the world, look forward with anticipation to his next book.

Terry Goodkind's novels are set in a world filled with magic, sword fights, prophecies and wars. His main characters, Richard Rahl and Mother Confessor Khalan Amnell are vividly described until you can actually picture them in his tales.

Throughout his books, Richard and Khalan must battle with evil forces that threaten their way of life, their love, and their lives. Their struggle against the brute force of a greater empire that destroys all in it's wake shows a bitter life of apathy and submission that many wish to force in real life.

Great books for escapism, but you will also find yourself recognising your own world in his words.

The most famous group of Mercedes Lackey's books are set in the lands of Valdemar and follow the struggles of Kings, Queens and their Heralds to rid the lands of evil and fight off their greedy neighbours intent on taking over their lands.

She also stretches the boundaries into the outlying lands bringing forth tales of tribes surprisingly akin to Native Americans, of their magics and tales and of the raptors that share their lives. She manages to bring her passion for horses, birds of prey and magic into each of her novels, weaving a fantastical world that you can immerse yourself in.

With two very busy boys I don't get too much time to read anymore, but my Sunday night is always a hot bath and a good book, and woe betide my husband if he disturbs me for anything less than Armageddon! I could wax lyrical about so many authors; with the recent Tolkein and Harry Potter films there seems to have been an increased demand for fantasy authors. And I'm not complaining by any means. Still, you only have limited patience so I stopped at just five.

I hope that I have made you just a little curious if you have never tried a fantasy novel before. A little escapism from the often humdrum world is my way of keeping sane. Perhaps if we encouraged reading a little more we could all let of a little steam a little easier.