Tell us why a famous author, or your favourite author, is brilliant!

Cassandra Clare has to be one of my favourite authors I just love her books and the worlds that she creates. The Mortal Instruments series and the other series set in the Shadowhunters universe were such great reads and have sold over 36 million copies world wide! The Shadowhunter universe stories link together so beautifully even though some of the stories are set hundreds of years apart but they still fit in the greater story. I would rate her stories 10 out of 10 every time.

Oh boy, how do I pick just one? Even if I pin down my list to authors who haven't been mentioned here I have at least three I would gladly nominate.

Isaac Asimov

One of the greatest sci-fi writers of all times, his works provide the foundation for many aspects which are natural for us now in everything sci-fi.

My love for sci-fi started with Star Wars in 1997, and I was desperately looking for something more with space, starships and alien worlds in it. Among my dad's magazine collection there was one called Galactica which featured some novels from Asimov. I really liked them as they were short and interesting, something I could easily read at school during breaks.

The first books I read from him was the Lucky Starr series, which were once again short, easy to read and a good introduction into the "Three Laws of Robotics" theories. I love the "what if" scenarios and dilemmas so reading these books where robots got into a conflict with one of the laws really had me thinking for a long time even after finishing a book, and this is what I love about reading, when it doesn't end with the last chapter of the book, but gives you many more questions to think about and maybe even encourages you to write down your answers to those questions. I think this writing style is what made Asimov great, and why his works are so good to build on.

So if you want to get started with sci-fi and looking for an easy read, I highly recommend the Lucky Starr series from him. Some other examples of my favourites:

• Foundation series - didn't dare to watch the TV series yet, as I want to re-read the books again in English this time before watching it

• The Robot series

• I, Robot - this is a short novel collection as well and the first work with the Three Laws of Robotics mentioned. I loved the movie with Will Smith, it's not a word-by-word adaptation, but grasps the basics of the robotics laws and its conflicts very well

One book which is apparently one of his best works is called The End of Eternity. I'm not sure if it was the Hungarian translation or I was just too young to understand it, but I put it down after one chapter as I didn't understand at all what was going on. Definitely a book I want to give another shot in English.

While I am not the biggest reader whatsoever (and this is relevant), I would be remiss if I did not speak on behalf of the late, great Howard Philips Lovecraft. Though during his time his works were grossly overlooked, in the subsequent years since his passing, a large and growing fanbase of his "Cthulhu" works has appeared.

Most avid readers are familiar enough with the name but his fanbase extends well beyond lovers of the printed press. Musicians, filmmakers, artists and all manner of people have paid homage to his works. Often labeled as "Cosmic Horror", his tales of unimaginable terrors have been cited as both reference and inspiration by countless individuals, including many of todays top rated horror novelists.

As a disenfranchised rebel of the 90s, I found his works (like so many others) through various friends from school. I was a big fan of fantasy during these years, marked by my obsessive affair with TTRPGs. I tried my hardest to fall in and read through the volumes of fantasy novels suggested to me but, for some reason, I simply cannot sit and read one in its entirety. To this day, in fact, the only books I can read effortlessly are what my peers loving refer to as tedious books; I read textbooks and other such material.

With that said, however, there was something magical about the works of H.P.L. that my mind simply would not let go of. His style of writing was unlike any other I'd encountered, often sending me midstory to search up an obscure word or two before rereading a passage. His horror was gripping but on a deeper, more primal level. In me, it invoked feelings of such dread and fear unlike I had ever felt, before or since. The images he painted with words still haunt my mind to this day, often losing myself in a daydream of fantastic lands and nightmarish realities. His books, which I own multiple copies of for some unknown reason, are the most dogged eared in my entire collection.

If you are a fan of horror and have not found this man before, you are missing out on some fantastic stuff!

Sir Terry Pratchett

Sir Terry Pratchett was a phenomenal author whose greatness lay in a combination of his sharp wit, keen observations on the human condition, and his ability to blend humor. His Discworld series, a collection of fantasy novels, is renowned for its satirical take on various aspects of society, politics, religion and culture.

Pratchett's writing was marked by his clever use of language and his capacity to craft multi-layered stories that entertain and enlighten simultaneously. He had a unique talent for creating memorable, complex characters who, despite living in a fantastical world, resonate deeply with readers because of their relatable struggles, virtues, and ofcorse - flaws.

One of Pratchett's most remarkable qualities was his ability to address serious issues such as death, war, and inequality with a light touch, making them accessible without diminishing their significance. His work often held a mirror to our world, encouraging readers to think critically about their own society while enjoying a good laugh. And this is a key aspect why i highligted him here.

He brought fantasy into the mainstream, demonstrating that the genre could be both thought-provoking and immensely popular. His work has inspired countless readers and writers, leaving an significant mark on literature.

My favorite works:

• Mort

• Colors of Magic

• Equal Rites

• Going Postal

Harlan Ellison

That's me and Harlan back in 1993 at ComicFest in Philadelphia.

I am a voracious reader of all subjects. And I love a lot of great authors and many lesser known ones as well. But no one, both on and off the page, has impacted my life so much as Harlan Ellison has over my lifetime. As a fearless advocate, opinionated editorialist, fantasist, imaginative speculator, and general pain in the ass to everyone and everything he stood for and against. He also happens to be one of the greatest short story writers of modern literature with well over 1,700 short stories, novellas, comic book and television scripts - including the classic Star Trek episode "City on the Edge of Forever". And the controversial short-story that Cameron based The Terminator on, which sparked a decade long legal battle and is the reason the film now includes Harlan's name in the credits.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlan_Ellison

"I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" and "'Repent, Harlequin!' Said the Ticktockman" are both classics. But his works are really too numerous to mention here, so be sure to check out the Wikipedia page for more detailed information.

A truly unique individual and a incredibly gifted storyteller.