A bit more information: Eric Nylund seems to enjoy exploring and revisiting certain
themes within
science fiction and
fantasy settings: the
relationship between
science and
magic, the
nature of
power and
ambition and the impact of science on the fantastic, and the fantastic on science. His main characters are usually fantastically
intelligent -- yet still believably so, given their backgrounds -- and fantastically
paranoid. Their paranoia is not quite as believable as their intelligence, which is odd, but paranoia is a vital
survival instinct in Nylund's
books.
Nylund is unusual in that his books seem to include that power and ambition are natural, reasonably healthy, and even kinda nifty. His most obvious influence is Roger Zelazny, whose Chronicles of Amber bear many similarities to Nylund's early work both in style and theme. I recommend Nylund highly; he is one of the best new authors I've seen.