The Blade Itself (First Law Trilogy) by Joe Abercrombie.  Like the grittiness and worldbuilding of George R. R. Martin but don&#x27;t like the neverending story and six-year publishing gaps?  Give Joe Abercrombie a try.  He&#x27;s keeping a book-a-year schedule, has had an actual trilogy - with an ending! - aand is in the process of delivering his third stand alone book set in the same universe as the trilogy.  Really good stuff.