The Deed of Paksenarrionnyktos wrote:all of you obviously have GREAT taste, what with being members here and all...
any random Fantasy recommendations?
^ incredibly in-depth and it does have some parts that make me suggest it only for 18+ year old readers but the story is one of the best fantasy tales I have ever read and the gritty reality with which the author presents the story is one you don't often encounter in an era of "beautified sparkly stories of happiness". *Edit* didn't see until now that lady black already mentioned this one but the author is Elizabeth Moon and not Anne McAffrey (they have collaborated on a few projects, just not this one).
As far as Sci-Fi goes, one author stands out above all the rest in my eyes and that would be Timothy Zahn. Some of his best works include the Cobra trilogy and the Conqueror trilogy but I've read most of his books and enjoyed every single one so far. He also has at least one series for younger readers called the Dragonback series which was quite excellent.