Since we're separating this out of the F/SF thread to discuss story morals (morality?) - I've really enjoyed the recent trend (last 10-15 years) for authors in the genre to 'up their game' to propose social questions. Abercrombie, along with Mark Lawrence and (more recently) Rob J. Hayes are all British writers that have been described as 'gritty' but I've been convinced they're making social commentary in the vein of the powerful elite vs. the enlightened heroes.
We could spend hours and countless thousands of pixels going back and forth on the merits of this style (especially if we compare it to other current works, such as the Corey's Expanse theme of "there are no easy shortcuts in life") but I hope it continues. Great writing should do two things in my opinion (opinion alert! opinion alert!):
Be entertaining (well written, interesting story, character development, etc.)
Stimulate personal growth and development
If Abercrombie's writing stirs something in you (or anyone else) to say "I believe in 'XYZ' and I'm going to do something about it" then he succeeded - but that brings up another question: Should a writer use dark/depressing/gritty themes to motivate/influence readers?