Just finished up the First Law series, and now looking for something to scratch the itch! For what it's worth, I enjoy horror novels as much as fantasy, so I really like when the two are intertwined. Hence I gravitate toward grimdark, although I much more prefer horrific settings (think Castlevania on Netflix) as opposed to just a bleak world (The Road by Cormac McCarthy).

I would also note since I'm using Audible, I also like longer books since I get more bang for my buck out of a credit. A 30 hour book costs the same as an 8 hour book, unfortunately, and is why I haven't dived into books like The Black Company.

Thanks in advance!

Here is a rough idea of where I stand and what I've read so far.

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Loved:

Wheel of Time - Enjoyed the scope, easy to follow story and prose, world-building. Great characters like Mat, Padan Fain, the Forsaken

First Law - Enjoyed the scope, the well-written characters, prose, and world-building. Fantastic story with great endings, and the standalone books were fun reads into different genres that still fell within a fantasy world. Although not as dark as I was hoping, would have like to see Glokta apply his trade more.

Iconoclast - Really enjoyed the horror aspect, easy to follow, adventurous story (Fantasy Indiana Jones with an Eldritch-like god? Yes please)

ASOIAF - I could copy and paste the description from First Law. Excellent story, characters, world-building, prose... all around a 10/10. Also would not mind a bit darker.

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Meh:

Warbreaker - Easy to follow story, kinda basic, magic system was kind of lame. I didn't like it, but I didn't not like it. Can definitely tell it's one of his earlier entries. He vastly improved by the time he finished of Wheel of Time.

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Hated:

Malazan - Hard as fuck to tell what was even happening. I couldn't follow characters, settings, story... anything. There might be a good story somewhere in here, but I made it partway through book 5 and stopped reading once I realized it was more of a chore than enjoyable.

Prince of Nothing - Way too much meandering speech, annoying characters. Stupid motivations all around. I despised this book, which I thought I would initially like since I like dark and bleak settings.