Gardens of the Moon? That's one I have wanted to pick up for quite some time. Never got around to it...

His world is amazingly detailed and layered with tons of politics, history and supernatural goings-on. His stories of wars and how the campaigns progress at the strategic, tactical and personal levels are exceptionally well done, in my opinion. His story board must cover a soccer pitch!

I read the first four books of his Malazan series a few years ago (I think #10 is coming out soon). They were great. I'm not easily deeply affected by reading books, but the conclusion of the third book was so intense that I literally felt damaged. I limped through book four (also really good) and just had to stop. I think I've recovered enough to take another run at it and keep the momentum going into the rest of the series. I have a well-read friend who has read them all and considers it the best fantasy series he's ever read.

I would add that Erikson's writing style is pretty unique and isn't necessarily for everyone. He uses words, terms and references that make no sense when you first see them, then slowly introduces what those things mean as you progress. I actually have come to really like it, but you have to get used to not knowing what's going on.

You know the saying, "Just you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you."