The Long Price Quartet by Daniel Abraham
Books one and 65% of book two. Not quite enough world detail, although much better than most. Good detailed characters.

But, no hero with an ace up their sleeve. And the magic is a bit weak. And book two is basically a detective story. I think I will move on to something else after finishing book two.

(The magic is one single process per poet. The ability to remove the part that goes on-seedles and the ability to soften rocks are the only two bits of magic in book one and two.) Otah and Maati and main characters... Maati a poet. Otah refused to become one but might end up a king. Political intrigue from the Galts, etc.