Been on something of a reading spree now that I'm in between drafts.
First, I read We Leave Together, the last book in the Dogsland trilogy. I really wish more people knew about this series. (I bet AW's own badducky does too.) I read books for compelling characters, unique prose, and insight into the human condition. Dogsland gives me all of these things. Some of the most immersive POV I've ever read, and my heart just kept breaking for the characters.
Then I read The Curse of Chalion and Paladin of Souls by Bejold. I really, really enjoyed these, and yet...
It's definitely a taste rather than a craft issue, but if all of the clothing descriptions were cut and replaced with more theological meat to sink my teeth into, I think both books would have been darn near perfect. The descriptions of the prayers, songs, and rituals, and the contemplations on the nature of faith were a bit too coy for me, especially since I was led to believe that Paladin of Souls is something of a go-to novel for fantasy readers looking for a more intellectual take on speculative spirituality.
Red Country by Joe Abercrombie.
This review mirrors my thoughts quite nicely. There were a couple of things that made me slightly uncomfortable re: appropriation, but considering the astounding progress he's made with his female characters over the years, I think the same will hold true for his future efforts in writing the "Other". This was a really good book by one of the best current authors in the genre, and I have complete confidence that his best work is ahead of him.
Now I'm less than 100 pages into A Blight of Mages by Karen Miller. This was a rare impulse buy. (600 pages for 1 dollar? I'll take it!) I knew nothing about the Kingmaker, Kingbreaker universe going in. As soon as Morgan was introduced I was like, "Holy crap, these two are awful! Are they going to become bad guys together or something?" Then I went online, became educated, and it all makes a lot more sense now. I'll probably finish it, so long as the train wrecks that are the MCs continue to fascinate rather than agitate me.