A series that I've enjoyed has been Charles Stross's series starting with the Family Trade with its alternative universe. He normally writes sci fi but this ranges more to fantasy. I'll admit I haven't gotten to the last few books.
If you can stomach sci fi and have taken Latin or some mythology course, then try Dan Simmon's Illium/Olympus series or Vernor Vinge's Fire Upon the Deep/Darkness in the Sky. Both just such good sequences.
I agree with others here on Bujold's Chalion series, although it sort of fell flat after book two for me.
Oldies but goodies - Hambly's Time of the Dark and Tom Dietz's series; if you haven't already read it and you like YA, Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising (I read it sooo long ago but it still holds up)
As far as ambiguous villians go, Joe Ambercrombie's First Law series is hard to beat. It's basically the anti-fantasy, but if you are avoiding cynicism then best to avoid completely. And I'd normally recommend JV Jones' latest series, except it can really be depressing at times and she's like never going to finish the thing.
Book recs
If you can stomach sci fi and have taken Latin or some mythology course, then try Dan Simmon's Illium/Olympus series or Vernor Vinge's Fire Upon the Deep/Darkness in the Sky. Both just such good sequences.
I agree with others here on Bujold's Chalion series, although it sort of fell flat after book two for me.
Oldies but goodies - Hambly's Time of the Dark and Tom Dietz's series; if you haven't already read it and you like YA, Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising (I read it sooo long ago but it still holds up)
As far as ambiguous villians go, Joe Ambercrombie's First Law series is hard to beat. It's basically the anti-fantasy, but if you are avoiding cynicism then best to avoid completely. And I'd normally recommend JV Jones' latest series, except it can really be depressing at times and she's like never going to finish the thing.