The Malazan Book of the Fallen series (an enormous and worthwhile ten-book series) by Steven Erikson takes place in a fantasy universe that he co-created with Ian Cameron Esslemont. This fantasy world is notable because it deviates in non-trivial ways from traditional fantasy universes. Races are genuinely different from one another. Geography is real in scale. Cultures are vibrant and diverse. The vast cast of characters feel real; they are full of faults and ignorance and bad decisions as well as genuine philosophical thoughts.

Both Erikson and Esslemont have now published several novels each in this universe.