[Endoperez]

Many, many good recommandations in here.

David Gemmel does wonders. I recently saw parts of the movie Sparta. His books are like "SPARTAAA!", except more hardcore. The Legend, especially, the book showing Druss the Axeman fighting his last battle, an impossible fight against unbeatable enemy, just an old man whose axe is no longer demon-possessed. And we see how the legends still pale before the man behind them. Awesome!

Naomi Novik - ah, dragonriders! "Captain Laurence of His Majesty's Navy, on Temeraire; I am at present unassigned." But not for long, as 20-ton dragons, especially ones as maneuverable or intelligent as Temeraire, can hardly be left unused while Napoleon's army marches undefeated through Europe and threatens Britain itself. Fantastic series.

Gene Wolfe, and his Wizard Knight duology. It is. I can't really describe it, but you should read it - it's a strange mix of excellent writing, weirdness and familiar stories.

Scott Lynch wrote an interesting low-fantasy story, Lies of Locke Lamora. A strange city and strange world, a league of tricksters, and a deal of bad luck. Nice, but not extraordinary.

Diana Wynne Jones writes for young adults, but that doesn't mean the books aren't good. I've especially enjoyed Dark Lord of Derkholm, even though the sequel isn't quite at the same level.