[Angry Brandybuck]

I don't know if this has already been mentioned because, well this thread is nine pages and I can't really be bothered to read it.

My favourite fantasy author who isn't Tolkien is Tad Williams because he, as well as creating a reasonably realistic and convincing world, manages to portray the human and emotional side of his characters throuughout the books.

If you wanna check him out, the best books are a 'trilogy' (which is more like four books- the last one is slpit into two parts) called 'Memory, Sorrow and Thorn.'

This is highly recommended by myself.