The next author I would like to share is a bit lesser known, though I think he's getting more and more popular.  Joe Abercrombie has quickly become one of my favorites.  He does a great job of developing characters and puts them in some great stories.  The world he has created is great for fantasy.  Has lots of mystery and magic, but not too much magic.  The closest author I have read to George RR Martin.  If you like Martin these are some good books to read while you wait for his next book.