Necromancer's Gambit is written in the great tradition of British fantasy (think David Gemmell and Tolkien mixed with Mervyn Peake) but brings a new level of darkness to the genre. Of course, necromancy is often referred to in fantasy but is rarely explored deeply or given serious treatment. This book corrects that omission, for me.
Don't worry, the book still contains all the magic, intrigue, squabbling gods and demons, and fighting you'd ever want in a brilliant fantasy-epic, but it also brings so much more. I can't wait for the second book.