I'd forget looking for any fantasy novels that are as good as Tolkien's work - there aren't any.
If you're looking for something to move onto I'd suggest the Icelandic Sagas. The greatest is Njal's Saga, & that's probably the best place to start, but Egil's Saga or Grettir's Saga are also incredible works. If you liked CoH you'll definitely enjoy them. Be warned though, if you're not a fan of gallows humour:
Quote:
One morning when Thorgeir was preparing to row out with two other men, one of whom was named Brand, Thorgeir was walking ahead with a leather skin on his back containing some drink. It was very dark, and as he passed the boat-house Thorfinn sprang out upon him and dealt him a blow with an axe between his shoulders. The axe went into something and made a squeaking noise. Thorfinn let go his axe, feeling quite sure that no bandages would be needed, and being very anxious to escape as fast as he could. He ran North, and reaching Arnes before the day had quite broken, said that he had killed Thorgeir and that Flosi must protect him....
(There follows a dispute over a beached whale)
Thorgeir Bottleback was the first to get on to the whale where Flosi's men were. Thorfinn, who was spoken of before, was cutting it up, standing near the head on the place where he had been carving. "I'm returning your axe!" said Thorgeir. Then he struck at Thorfinn's neck and cut off his head. (Grettir's Saga)
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& graphic violence:
Quote:
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Then Thorolf became so furious that he cast his shield on his back, and, grasping his halberd with both hands, bounded forward dealing cut and thrust on either side. Men sprang away from him both ways, but he slew many. Thus he cleared the way forward to earl Hring's standard, and then nothing could stop him. He slew the man who bore the earl's standard, and cut down the standard-pole. After that he lunged with his halberd at the earl's breast, driving it right through mail-coat and body, so that it came out at the shoulders; and he lifted him up on the halberd over his head, and planted the butt-end in the ground. There on the weapon the earl breathed out his life in sight of all, both friends and foes. Then Thorolf drew his sword and dealt blows on either side, his men also charging. Many Britons and Scots fell, but some turned and fled. (Egil's Saga)
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you may not get on with them...