I've always had a thing for fantasy, and these last few years are when I've started to really take the idea of writing it seriously (Dunno if I'm any good at it). I'm a big fan of Brandon Sanderson and the way he creates really interesting worlds and magic systems. I was also late to the party with George R.R. Martin's work, but a Song of Ice and Fire and the Wild Cards series are at the top of my list. I also really like Robert E. Howard's Conan stories, but more so for the sense of antiquity he creates. Maybe I just have a thing for jewelled cities and forbidden temples.