I'm horribly picky when it comes to books, even with "favorite authors" I haven't met one yet I've loved ALL of their books from, but some of my absolute favorites:
Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series is fantastic (at least up to book 5 in my opinion, in fact book 5 is probably one of my all time favorite books ever). However for me that series starts to drag past that point. Richard's character is a typical hero, but the philosophy and morality themes typically surrounding his (and other characters) were great reads. Kahlan and her growth as a character early on in the series was wonderfully done as well.
Mercedes Lackey's Vows and Honor series- The series started back in 1988 and at the time realistic female fantasy heroes were few and far between. I loved the dynamic between the two female lead characters (and their magical talking animal companion!) to this day I still have not found a fantasy novel quite like it. Their sisterly bond being the primary focus of the first novel in particular is wonderful and the fact that romance was a very secondary perhaps even tertiary plot point to the second novel in the series was refreshing in my opinion. I love a good romance, but it is tiring to see them as the main plot point in novels.
Tamora Pierce: Yes a children/teen author, but her novels were the first that drew me into reading as a young child and will forever hold a place in my heart for it.
JK Rowling- I feel like this is a gimme, but Harry Potter is awesome.
George R. R. Martin is one of my favorite Authors. i read three of his books. ICE AND FIRE, DANCE WITH DRAGONS, & A FEAST OF CROWS. Then, I could watch the series and know who is who
My favourite authors change constantly. Currently Rick Riordan, Cinda Williams Chima, and Christopher Paolini rank highest for me. I'll always have a special love for J.R.R. Tolkien and JK Rowling though because they were my first fantasy books I ever read.
I have yet to read the authors you've mentioned but Brandon Sanderson has to be my favourite. I wish Pat Rothfuss would have written more books to include him as a favourite but his writing is incredible too.
I also enjoyed Wicked. My favorites have to start with R. A. Salvatore. I have loved his well written fight sequences and character arcs since I was too young to be reading them. During college I found Jim Butcher and his Codex of Alera series which has an interesting magic system and is a very quick read. The newest addition to my list is Terry Goodkind. He paces well, with some admittedly slower books, and does a great job building a complex story that ties together through all the books in the series.
Mine would be J.K Rowling, Victoria Schwab and possibly Leigh Bardugo. I'm not a big fan of Tolkien, or Gaiman. I've read Ocean at the End of the Lane and it was confusing and so not my type
"Create your own identity. Let it be unique for yourself yet identifiable for others."
Clive Barker is my favorite author of everything and I've always loved Piers Anthony's Geodyssey and Incarnations of Immortality series and many books by Patricia Mckillip. I've been trying to read more authors I've missed, especially Ursula Leguin, Michael Moorcock and Philip K Dick.
Latest Review: "Nightlord: Sunset" by Garon Whited
New author I just discovered is Michael Sullivan. His Riyria Chronicles are a great epic fantasy story and the new Age of Myth/First Empire series is shaping up to be really good now!
Also loved Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series.