Overlooked fantasy series: Stover's Caine books

[Liminal Syzygy]

Has anyone read Heroes Die and Blade of Tyshalle by Matthew Woodring Stover? I thoroughly enjoyed both of these books and am very much looking forward to the next one I've heard Stover is contracted to write.

Why do I like them?

- Non-generic fantasy
- Handles the "two worlds" connection well, and best of all in an interesting way. Actually I didn't like earth much in the first book, as I thought the caste system was unlikely and a boring idea. But there is some exposition in the second book which puts it into perspective.
- Multilayered - philosophy, politics, aging, friendship
- The dark atmosphere - hey, I'm a fan of Erikson and Cook, what can I say...
- Descriptions of fight scenes - DMs could really take a lesson from Stover in the way he describes fights
- 2nd book in the series actually better than the first
- Self contained stories
- But above all Stover just spins a good yarn. I couldn't put them down, especially the second one.

 

[Mortaneus]

Dude...those books rule.

My favorite scene has to be in Heroes Die, where Kain confronts the elf madam of that brothel. The description of what she sees when she looks at him has to be one of the most bada$$ moments I've ever seen in a book...and then when he finds out that Burne is there....yike....

Stover can REALLY paint a scene.