Jay Kristoff is the author of The Lotus War series and, with Amie Kaufman, the bestselling, The Illuminae Files. His new novel, Godsgrave: The Nevernight Chronicles, Book II is published by HarperCollins.

THE HOBBIT

Jay Kristoff: everyone has a story to tell. Credit:Christopher Tovo

J. R. R. Tolkien

I first came across The Hobbit in primary school and it was the first time I truly remember feeling like I'd found a book that had been written for me. The Hobbit was the gateway drug that opened the door to every fantasy and science-fiction book I've read, and even though it's almost hip to hack on Professor Tolkien these days, the impact he had on fantasy fiction and my own writing is indisputable.