8 Best Fantasy Book Writers of the 1990's

The last decade of the twentieth century was an exciting time for the fantasy literature community, with many new authors on the scene alongside longtime veterans of the genre.

Orson Scott Card

Normally thought of as a science fiction author, Orson Scott Card is also prolific in the fantasy genre, and several books in his The Tales of Alvin Maker series were nominated and won both Locus and Hugo Awards in the 1990s. Start with Seventh Son if you want to read through the series.

Emma Bull

Emma Bull is best known for War of the Oaks, one of the first novels in the urban fantasy genre. Her 1991 sequel Bone Dance was nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Awards.

Elizabeth Haydon

Symphony of Ages, one of the greatest fantasy series of the decade, was started in 1999 by Elizabeth Haydon. A unique interpretation of the high fantasy genre, Rhapsody: Child of Blood is a must read for fantasy fans of all kinds.

Christopher Priest

Most famous for his science fiction work, Christopher Priest's 1995 surprise fantasy novel The Prestige won several awards, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for best fiction and the World Fantasy Award for best novel. It was adapted to film in 2006.

Kim Newman

One of the greatest vampire fantasy series is Kim Newman's Anno Dracula. Set as an alternate history to Bram Stoker's Dracula, it depicts what the world would have ended up as if the heroes hadn't defeated Count Dracula in the original book. Books in this series have won several awards.

James Morrow

James Morrow is well known for his Godhead Trilogy, which started in his 1990 work, Only Begotten Daughter. The novel deals with the daughter of God, and the trials she faces. It won the World Fantasy, Nebula, Locus and John Campbell awards.

George R. R. Martin

Among fantasy series created in the 1990s, none is today more famous than George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. HBO is currently in production on a television version of the series; and a video game version is also in the works. The sheer number of board and role-playing games based on the series is evidence of its popularity.

Ellen Kushner

Ellen Kushner's Thomas the Rhymer is an interesting take on the ancient ballad of Thomas the Rhymer, from the thirteenth century. Winning both the World Fantasy and Mythopoeic awards for its year, it involves a harper taken from reality to Elfland with the Fairy Queen.

Other Authors

Many other authors in the 1990s did much to benefit the fantasy canon we have today. Although this list isn't by any means complete, I'm hopeful that it will do much to help you appreciate what fantasy was like in this tumultuous decade.