I totally agree, Doxedon! I heard about this from Brandon and it's now one of my very favorites! You won't be disappointed. (Well, you might be if you're a very hard to please person. But read it anyway!)
Also, if you can get your hands on a copy of Phantastes by George MacDonald it's well worth it. More proof that fantasy novels for grown-ups existed before Tolkien (love him too, btw!)