ANYTHING by Gene Wolfe
A Wizard of Earthsea - Ursula K Le Guin
The Name of the Wind - Patrick Rothfuss
The Black Company - Glen Cook
A Song of Fire and Ice - George R R Martin
Tears of Artamon - Sarah Ash
Prince of Nothing - R Scott Bakker
Sword of Fire and Ice series is the correct answer. Long and unfinished, unfortunately, but considered by many to be the best of the genre.
Also, I'm a fan of Robin Hobb, and the Ship of Magic/Mad Ship/Ship of Destiny series is particularly excellent.
Sword of Truth is pretty good, but about five books in Goodkind forgets about the story and starts pretending he's Ayn Rand. It also has a disappointing ending. But the first few books are good.