1/20/13 – Started reading “The Scar” by Sergey and Marina Dyachenko. 
The jacket copy says,
“Stylistically reminiscent of Robin Hobb [who is one of my absolute favorite authors], and with a haunting and ominous imagination similar to Michael Moorcock [another one of my favorite authors]‘s, The Scar tells a story that cannot be forgotten.”
“Rich, vivid, tactile prose, with a solid yet unpredictable plot – and an extraordinary depth and intensity of character reminiscent of the finest Russian literature.”
Sounds like my kind of book!
1/24/13 – and I finished this book last night. A very good book – I love the way it is written; the language is wonderful. Here’s a sample that I liked:
“Cowards were disgusting and despicable. More than once, Egert had observed others being cowards; he had seen the outward signs of their fear: pallor, uncertainty, trembling knees. He now knew how his own cowardice looked. Fear was a monstrosity, worthless and insignificant when viewed from the outside, but when seen from within, it was an executioner, a tormentor of irresistible power.”