> I used to love Goodkind until I started reading Jordan, then I realized just how much Goodkind borrows from Jordan. I mean, it's so obvious that Goodkind learned what a "good" fantasy novel is all about by reading WOT.>

Yeah, I guess it really was so that WOT was first and SOT came later... kind of pity, really, since I think Goodkind's writing is much more enjoyable than Jordan's. If only he had original ideas too...

Oh well, you can't get everything I guess.

How come it is so damn hard to find good fantasy nowadays? Is it because of the money that comes with increasing page numbers? Could someone give hints on real gems, other than Tolkien (or Fionavar, which I liked a lot, although Kay uses some of Tolkien's ideas, not to speak of all existing folk stories) or Earthsea series?