Robin Hobb can manage to write what is worryingly called "High Fantasy" and still make the characters so real that you think you actually know them. The fantasy setting of her books is irrevavent to the political plots and well written stresses of family ties and honour between friends. Basically, her books are incredibly well written, the characters are very real, the plots are exciting and involved and when you are reading one of the books, you really are taken away into an alternative life!

The books (under the name of Robin Hobb):

The Farseer Trilogy:

Assassin's Apprentice

Royal Assassin

Assassin's Quest

The Liveship Traders Trilogy:

Ship Of Magic

The Mad Ship

Ship Of Destiny

Tawny Man Series (currently being written!)