I don't really read fantasy any more, my tastes have mostly skewed to straight historical fiction for that kind of itch. For the most part, the treatment of magic tends to bore me, especially when it's used as a lazy crutch to excuse poor writing. Which happens a lot in fantasy.

However, I love the Malazan Book of the Fallen, just reading Forge of the High Mage having missed it when it came out a couple of years ago. Erikson and Esselemont have a way of very quickly making engaging and distinct characters, as well as an irreverent sense of humour, even whilst preserving and overall serious tone. It's a tricky balance both of them manage to pull off.

It's something specific to that setting as well, I made the mistake of reading Erikson's non-Malazan work (Rejoice! A Knife to the Heart) and couldn't stand it. Preachy eco-bollocks.

Have any other authors in the last couple of decades managed to pull off something similar?

Or alternatively, any interesting historical fiction recently (Christian Cameron is a favourite)?