It does, probably why I liked the series despite Hobb's writing style (she tend to babble when she could get to the point in two paragraphs), but then again, as I often do, I read it for the main character. And dear Fitz fits in with quite a few categories as my fav character type, except I find him slightly too angsty at times. While I like angst I want my heroes to have the ability to climb out of the pit with their own two hands and go and kick major arse.

The Fool also made it worth reading ^___^ (wishes for Fitz/Fool slash).

Have you tried reading Janny Wurt's Wars of Light and Shadow series? Half brothers at war because of a curse, immortality, much fighting, and the hero suffers so nicely (and one of his titles is Master of Shadow, how can you not like some with a name like that ^^)