All of her stuff is brilliant, which is why I have been trying to figure out why she depresses me so much for decades. I admire world-building before almost all other aspects of a story, and she does that in grand style.

Also, her language - as much as I, ignorant foreigner as I am, can appreciate it - is stunning beyond every other author, save for Tolkien. And yet I always lay aside her books with a certain feeling of emptiness. I don't know why. I think you might be right about there being more warmth and joyfulness in Tolkien's books.

The afterlife (or rather the lack thereof) in the Earthsea books was one of the most frightening concepts I've ever seen in literature. I remember having actual nightmares after I've read about Sparrowhawk's visit there. And I don't have those often, not cause by any books. "The Pendragon Legend" was the only other book that ever made me sleep with the lights on.