By "dark" I mean that the characters go through some dark mental places. I really like it when they are tortured (not necessarily physically) and conflicted. These are underrated authors, not as widely known, but highly praised. The writing is good and character-driven. I wasn't able to put them down when I read them, and everyone I recommended them to really liked them. (Although I have more confidence making recommendations to women.) I've also read some of the other books recommended here (just say no to Tad Williams' Otherland, for example, I read the 1st book - it was a brick and not fulfilling at all, and not the sort of a thing that you're looking for. Lies of Locke Lamorre was fluffy and not memorable. Erikson - absolutely not. I read the 1st book and half of the 2nd, at which it was supposed to be great, and it's a waste of time. Abercrombie I haven't read, that may be a good rec, what kept me away from it is that it seems to be more focused on violence than character development. Jennifer Fallon - probably a good rec, I read one book of hers, and it was solid. Guy Gabriel Kay - you haven't read him? I think of him as the successor to Tolkien. He's really good, his stuff is historical/romantic fantasy. He's worth reading. Lights of War and Shadow by Janny Wurts - I put the 1st book down 200 pages away from the end. Eh.)

Daughter of the Empire is not dark, and it has more of clever plotting / political intrigue.