The Liveship traders trilogy by Robin Hobb. Read it. But first read the Farseer trilogy (first book is Assassin's Apprentice.) And also, wait until summer to read them, because either you will not be able to get into them or they will eat your life. No in between.

Also, out of curiosity, how many other writers do you know on livejournal? ;) (And who are the other top four?)