[Brys]

I haven't read the first two, but I've read the two others. Both are excellent, though Bakker is far superior and closer to Erikson.

R Scott Bakker's Darkness that Comes Before read like an Erikson book - it wasn't quite as complex, or as detailed, and it had more of a historical than militaristic leaning to it, but it is still by far the closest novel I've read to Erikson (and I've also read Glen Cook, a great influence on him).

Unfortunatley, neither Bakker's nor Jones' trilogies are complete, but I think Bakker will be finishing his soon, probably within the next year. I couldn't say the same for Jones though, as I haven't heard anything on it. From what I've heard of the others, Bakker is by far the best choice on the list, especially for an Erikson fan.

Others you may want to consider include:
Glen Cook's Black Company (Finished I think) - a great influence on Erikson, though quite a lot simpler

Steph Swainston's The Year of Our War - I think it may be part of a series, but it is definitely a standalone as well. A mix between New Weird and Epic fantasy. Simpler than Erikson, but very well done. Quite a bit of "character interaction" in it.

Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar books - focusing on the character and action side of things, these are the best sword and sorcery books around, about Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser, with a range of stories ranging from the very moving and well written, to extremely humourous ones. I was recommended it by Ainulindale, in part because he compared it to Erikson in his top 101 list. Lacking the complexity of the Malazan world (but then, I can't think of any which doesn't), but some of the best "character interactions".

Some which I'd recommend whatever the circumstances, though less like Erikson:
China Mieville's New Crobuzon books (The Scar, Perdido Street Station, Iron Council) - start off with the Scar, which is the easiest to get into, though it's the second published. It's not a series, they're just standalones set in the same world.
Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast - great on the character interactions. A difficult but worthwhile read, and a true classic of the genre
Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber - Great characters and an excellent, original plot
M John Harrison's Viriconium - Second in quality of writing and atmosphere only to Peake, an excellent sequence of four books.
Michael Moorcock's Elric - I don't know if it's complete, but there are so many books in it it doesn't really matter, because they all have proper endings anyway.

But of those you've got in that list, I'd recommend Bakker. The book covers don't really have much to do with the story at all, only that the person on the front may be one of the main characters, and the tapestry-like illustration may be suggesting that it is a pseudo-medieval Europe world.

[Karsa Orlong]

I can only recommend to read Bakker and Bishop at one time. Both books are enjoyable reads. I'd say that Bakker is definitely closer to Erikson than any other Author i have read so far. He also created a very detailed world with interesting conflicts and gripping characters.
Anne Bishop's Black Jewels trilogy is a fast paced and quite dark novel but not without humor. It is a world where women rule and powerful males are seldom and often those few are sold into slavery (there is a lot of talking about sex in those novels [nothing too explicit but comparing with other fantasynovels its enough *g*] and also some dark aspects of it like rape and such, so consider you forewarned if you are touchy about those subjects!).
Another very good read imho are Michelle West's Books. She started with the Hunter duology (Hunter's oath and Hunter's death) and continued in the same world with her Sun Sword sixtet (finished now). If you like well developed characters and a deep worldbuilding this is for you. But be warned, these are not fast paced books! She describes artfully and i love that but for some people this is boring...so if you look for action every second page, this is not for you ;-)

Oh, btw...have you read Georg R. R. Martin? His "A song of ice and fire"-Books? If not, this is definitely another "must-read". The first book in the series is called "A game of thrones". I am sure you will find enough reviews of these books on the internet :-)

Cheers
Karsa

[Brys]

I second the recommendation for Gates of Fire as excellent historical fiction. Tides of War was pretty good as well.

For Mieville, it doesn't really matter which you start with. I started with the Scar, and it made no difference (except that unlike most people, I prefer Perdido Street Station to the Scar a little).The Scar was more accesible and less strange than Perdido, I think. But Iron Council should probably be read last, because he doesn't explain much at all about New Crobuzon itself, or about the races, and his style has completely changed by then, which polarises opinion more than the other two, and of course, it's his weakest New Crobuzon book (meaning a lot better than pretty much any other major fantasy author writing in the last 10 years with the exceptions of Steven Erikson, R Scott Bakker and George RR Martin).

[ObsoleteResolve]

I personally will be the voice of dissent. Bakker did nothing for me. I might finish it, eventually, but not soon (The Darkness...).

That said. Anne Bishop has much love from me. Glen Cook can never get enough love from me- he is absolutely great. If you like the Bridgeburners, the Black Company's goin' to make you drool.

I'd also suggest my latest flavor of the month (since I'm poor, I don't have a flavor of the week anymore. It's monthly, sadly): Sean Russel. The Swans War, while it does have a flavor of Robert Jordan in some aspects (the set up of the major three characters, reminscient of Rand, Mat, and Perrin) but without the overwhelming suck. He's good. Very, very good. I also read his duology (WHOOO! TWO BOOKS, FINISHED!) Beneath the Vaunted Hills/Compass of the Soul and it was damned good as well.

And, on that note: Alaan and Eremon rock in The Swans War Trilogy. Erasmus Flatter in the duology also rocks. He's the protagonist. He's a BOTANIST. Who's a protagonist?!?

.david

[tickhill43]

If you only like reading in small amounts why don't you try 'City of Saints & Madmen ' by Jeff Vandermmer.

Its a brilliantly written collection of 4 novella sized stories and alot of shorter stories.

Other smaller sized books of high quality are the Paul Kearny books or the Black Company novels by Glen Cook. Both of these authors are admired by Erikson and you can see the simiralities with Glen Cook especially

If you would rather have longer more epic fantasy I have to reccomend anything by Stephen Donaldson, Robin Hobb or Gene Wolfe. They have the advantage of having alot of complete works out and in my opinion all of thier works of of the highest quality available.

[Topper]

I'd recommend the Farseer Triology by Robin Hobb. It is intresting and one learns to really love the main character.

I'd also recommend The Fionavar Tiology by Guy Gaverial Kay. I found it okay/good, but I know a lot of people who loved it.