I’ve started reading a new author, Steven Erikson. He writes some very complex fantasy. It’s a mix between warfare and politics with more tribes and cultures than you can shake a stick at. In case he has more than one series, this is the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, and it’s a very dark, grisly read.
Things I would love to emulate from him – the depth of the plot and the ability to balance so many characters.
What I’d prefer to to emulate – the level of gruesome and the drawn out nature of some of the action. So far, the stories aren’t so high on the redemption theme, either, but it’s a long series and I’m only on the second book.
The other joy is finding such a rich series that has soo many completed books :-).