>>24466429
You are overestimating the average reader's literacy level. Malazan is not difficult to read, it's just that the average fantasy reader can't handle narratives that contain a modicum of subtext.
>>24466642
I mostly agree when it comes to manga, anime, and to a lesser extent games. Japanese creatives in those areas, by and large, cannot write for shit. I could probably count the number of masterpieces in those mediums I've encountered on one hand.
>>24466523
>Last
Darkness of the Light by Peter David. RIP to a great one. I read one of his novels in memoriam and it was a fucking wild ride. There were a ton of storylines, half the characters are straight up just evil, and it was an interesting tale on portal fantasy where the monsters are banished to earth and basically take over. It wasn't the best book I've ever read but it was a lot of fun and I'll probably read the rest some day.
>Current
House Name by Michelle West. Book 11 of Essalieyan that takes place concurrently with Book two. I'm not very far in but I'm interested in how she tackles the same basic narrative a decade later.
>Next
The Gap into Vision: Forbidden Knowledge by Steven R. Donaldson. Read the first one a couple months ago and Donaldson is one of my favorite writers. I'm working through finishing any series I've started and The Gap is next on the list.