Can folks tell me what it is that they like about Steven Erikson? I've had a couple of friends rave about the Malazan stuff. But I just can't get into it.
Well... I kinda look at Malazan as a big, Micheal Bay-ish style fantasy. Cool, superpowered fights with lots of explosions, kinda cool, paper thin characters built up out of pretty cliche archetypes and lots of stuff that, generally, doesn't make much sense but is cool to look at.
I also dig the sense of history in his books, the fact that he reveals it bit by bit, just enough to keep you interested, but not enough to overload you.
He's certainly not perfect and I'm not surprised that many are put off by his style, but I'm with him till the end... unless he REALLY starts sucking or something.
I also dig:
Martin - Writes slow as all hell, but he also has some of the best characters ever.
R. Scott Bakker - The Prince of Nothing - He strikes me as a cross between Erikson and Martin, with Martin's character styles, grittiness, and politicking mixed with Erikson's over-the-top superhuman abilities. Really good stuff.
Scott Lynch - The Gentlemen Bastard's Sequence - Lynch may not have the best characters or the most innovative plots, but he can sure write some witty dialogue, great escapades, and thrilling adventure. Everyone I've introduced the books to has loved them.
Joe Abercrombie - The First Law - I've only read the first book (all three are currently out) and it was fun, with some good characters and some interesting twists on the standard fantasy formula. I've got the second one waiting for me.