Female Fantasy Authors

[Connavar]

Its funny that last year everytime i went to fantasy bookshelfs i saw books written by Teresa as Madeline Howard. Now that i want to try her books cause i want to read fantasy authors i havent read before, the books are totaly gone. I cant even reserve them.



I have ordered from the library these books :

JV Jones - A Cavern of Black Ice
KJ Parker - Shadow
Kate Elliott - King's Dragon

Hope they are good books cause i need new fantasy books/series i can enjoy. I havent enjoyed the last few fantasy authors i tried that was new to me.

 

[Simian]

I have noticed that stories (written by women) are driven by characters and less by action and this maintains the strength of their series.

I wouldn't necessarily agree. A few people have cited Robin Hobb's gift for characterization in this thread. I don't dispute that, but I would argue that many male authors are equally gifted in this regard. Tad Williams' characterization in the Memory, Sorrow & Thorn series was wonderfully nuanced, especially with regard to the supporting characters (and Simon is every bit as much of an annoyingly sulky teenager as FitzChivalry ever was). George R. R. Martin's Tyrion Lannister may be the most complex character ever to grace the pages of fantasy. By the same token, Hobb (and other female writers) do action just as well, and in many cases better, than their male counterparts. Different writers will always bring different strengths to their writing, regardless of gender.

P.S. As she hasn't had a mention in this thread yet, Steph Swainston's The Year of Our War (and sequals) is well worth checking out.

 

[GOLLUM]

Was Axis trilogy good ?

Anything you would recommend ?

Personally I don't think it would be interesting enough for you mate. It's not bad but it's not in my top bracket of EPIC style stories. Interesting to see that in Elliott and Jones you've picked two of the best modern EPIC series IMO.....

Not a fan of Parker after wading through the Fencer trilogy, actualy I couldn't even fnish it it was that bad for me. I understand the more recent stuff may be better.

Cheers...

 

[Rosemary]

From what I know of her books, Douglass writes a lot of fantasy in historical settings, using historical and/or legendary characters, all the way from ancient Greece to the present day. She's very popular, but I wouldn't personally recommend her work.

Her first two trilogies - Axis and Wayfarer Redemption are not historical fiction, nor with historical settings and these I would recommend. I have read them both more than twice!
As to The Crucible and Troy Game, yes these are written around historical settings, unfortunately not the historical era that I enjoy reading. I borrowed the first book of each series and although I finished them, no I didn't like them at all.
Her new trilogy Darkglass Mountain is a joining of her first two trilogies and the stand alone book Threshold (part setting is Egypt). The Egyptian setting isn't too obvious, so I've finished the first book and am trying to wait patiently for the second volume.

 

[Connavar]

Her first two trilogies - Axis and Wayfarer Redemption are not historical fiction, nor with historical settings and these I would recommend. I have read them both more than twice!
As to The Crucible and Troy Game, yes these are written around historical settings, unfortunately not the historical era that I enjoy reading. I borrowed the first book of each series and although I finished them, no I didn't like them at all.
Her new trilogy Darkglass Mountain is a joining of her first two trilogies and the stand alone book Threshold (part setting is Egypt). The Egyptian setting isn't too obvious, so I've finished the first book and am trying to wait patiently for the second volume.

What kind of fantasy is Axis series ? Epic or heroic ?

 

[Clansman]

No one above has mentioned Janny Wurts. It has amazed me for years that Janny Wurts has not had the attention that she was due. Her characterization is as good as it gets (as the characters keep growing, unlike the static ones in so much epic fantasy), her plotting is as complex as Tom Clancy or John LeCarre, the stories have a point beyond mere escapism, and her world-building is second only to Tolkien. She spends time on her characters, yes, but she also spends time on the plot, the description, and the "things". The wonderful balance she brings to all of these necessary elements make the reader feel like they are in the place that she is writing about.

However, due to publishers going belly up or merging, her books got shelved in North America, and with the demise of Meisha Merlin early last year, she now has no NA publisher.

I just finished reading Stormed Fortress, and it was absolutely brilliant. This is not a series like the Wheel of Time, which got so desperately lost between books 6 and 10 that I think Jordan didn't know how to finish it. The Wars of Light and Shadow make sense, especially with the completion of the third story arc, The Alliance of Light with her latest novel, Stormed Fortress. I can honestly say that , IMHO, there is not a better active epic fantasy writer. It is a pity that the publishers have not marketed her stuff better, because a lot of discerning fantasy readers have missed this series. Her stand-alone novels are really good reads, too, especially if you don't want to invest in a long epic series. The Sorcerer's Legacy and The Master of Whitestorm are her earliest titles, but she published To Ride Hell's Chasmin 2004 or 2005, and it was a fun read, with some neat ideas for fantasy. You can also look at the Empire series, which she co-authored with Raymond Feist.

I used to be prejudiced against women fantasy writers (a long time ago), as I found the writing often slipped too much into the romance side of things. Janny Wurts blew that stereotype out of the water, and continues to do so. Do yourselves a favour and pick up one of her books. If you haven't read anything in The Wars of Light and Shadow, make sure you start with the first in the series, The Curse of the Mistwraith. The series is now at 8 books, with three more forthcoming (the 4th story arc is called Sword of the Canon, and the two books in that arc are called Initiate's Trial and
Destiny's Conflict. The fifth and final arc (probably one book) is as yet untitled), so to pick up in the middle is impossible. You would be lost.

 

[Giovanna Clairval]

The Empire trilogy written by Janny Wurst with Raymond E. Feist is amazing. It was inspired by the Corean society. Wurst's paw is very visible in the treatment of the female protagonist. I usually don't like Feist, but I liked this trilogy (especially Daughter of the Empire). I read it in French, though. I can't say nothing about the style.

 

[Sire Of Dragons]

I may have missed if any mention was made of J.V.Jones. She wrote the Book Of Words Trilogy. One of the best I've ever seen. Thats the one by her that completed. There were others with really goods stories as well.

 

[elvet]

One of my favorite authors hasn't been mentioned yet - Michelle Sagara West. Her Sunsword books are one of the best series that I've read.

 

[kauldron26]

i just ordered all 6 for $23 im really looking forward to Sun Sword. The world seems so detailed and the story as intimate as it is epic. i read the first 100 pages and man o man i was impressed. I will get to it after i finish crown of stars by kate elliot which is magnificent by the way.

 

[Shingetsu]

Hmm, I'm not sure if women or men write better. Though lately I've been reading books more by women than men. Like Farseer books by Robin Hobb, A Sword of Shadows by J. V. Jones, Sharing Knife and The Curse of Chalion by Lois Mcmaster Bujold, The Symphony of Ages by Elizabeth Haydon, The Black Jewels trilogy by Anne Bishop, and now I have Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey.

I think Terry Goodkind did a good job with The Sword of Truth, and Robert Jordan with The Wheel of Time. I think it has more to do with style than gender. Though I'm guessing long time readers would have a better opinion to give than me.

 

[murphy]

i just ordered all 6 for $23 im really looking forward to Sun Sword. The world seems so detailed and the story as intimate as it is epic. i read the first 100 pages and man o man i was impressed. I will get to it after i finish crown of stars by kate elliot which is magnificent by the way.

Maybe not really necessary, but Hunter's Oath and Hunter's Death as sort of prequels to the Sun Sword series. Whatever, they are good reads and set up a background.

 

[elvet]

Maybe not really necessary, but Hunter's Oath and Hunter's Death as sort of prequels to the Sun Sword series. Whatever, they are good reads and set up a background.

I agree. I started reading Sunsword, then went back to the Hunter's books. I thought they helped explain a bit more of the intricacies of the different societies.

just ordered all 6 for $23 im really looking forward to Sun Sword. The world seems so detailed and the story as intimate as it is epic. i read the first 100 pages and man o man i was impressed. I will get to it after i finish crown of stars by kate elliot which is magnificent by the way.

Let me know what you think of it when you are done

 

[Rosemary]

What kind of fantasy is Axis series ? Epic or heroic ?

Gollum has said that it isn't an epic series and as I am not very good at describing epic, then I would have to agree with him.
Wayfarer Redemption is a follow on from Axis trilogy. I suppose it could be classed heroic - there are heros and heroines, traitors, nasty and vicious creatures, battles and some magic. I liked Sara's world-building, with the various races of people. There are some really gruesome parts in Wayfarer Redemption.

Certainly it is not epic compared to Erikson's Malazan series.

 

[Connavar]

Gollum has said that it isn't an epic series and as I am not very good at describing epic, then I would have to agree with him.
Wayfarer Redemption is a follow on from Axis trilogy. I suppose it could be classed heroic - there are heros and heroines, traitors, nasty and vicious creatures, battles and some magic. I liked Sara's world-building, with the various races of people. There are some really gruesome parts in Wayfarer Redemption.

Certainly it is not epic compared to Erikson's Malazan series.

Thats exactly what im looking for then

I want something more down to earth meaning something having the things you mentioned without being a huge series with world shattering events ala Erikson,GRRM.

I want to read epic fantasy that isnt like them simply.

 

[kauldron26]

i highly, highly recommend Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold. Its a very original Fantasy and as intimate as it is epic... its unlike anything u have ever read. Hence all the awards for chalion and Paladin of Souls.

 

[Ian Whates]

For whatever it's worth, I'm just about to release an anthology called Myth-Understandings, which features a cast of all women Fantasy and SF authors; fourteen original stories plus one reprint -- a World Fantasy Award winning story from Gwyneth Jones.

The originals are from Storm Constantine, Freda Warrington, Justina Robson, Deborah J. Miller (aka Miller Lau), Pat Cadigan, Tricia Sullivan, Liz Williams, Leigh Kennedy, Sarah Pinborough, comparatively new authors Kim Lakin-Smith and Kari Sperring, plus brand new writers Heather Bradshaw, Claire Weaver (a journalist who works for SciFiNow and Deathray magazines) and Lizzie Priest (daughter of Leigh Kennedy and Christopher Priest).

Have to confess, most of my very favourite women authors are in the book (which is why I approached them for stories in the first place ).

 

[Pyan]

(which is why I approached them for stories in the first place ).

Yesss, Ian, we believe you....


Looks interesting...when's the release date, Ian? And will it be carried by the big chains, do you know?

 

[Ian Whates]

Pyan, both this and the Celebration anthology (to commemorate 50 years of the BSFA) are being launched on the Friday of Eastercon, so you can buy your copies there!

As for the big chains, are you kidding? I'm just small fry!

 

[Pyan]

Pyan, both this and the Celebration anthology (to commemorate 50 years of the BSFA) are being launched on the Friday of Eastercon, so you can buy your copies there!

Alas, Ian, I regret that, owing to unforeseen circumstances, (as they say), I won't be able to attend this year...but if you have any left for Fantasycon in September....