I have to agree with Maria. Lois McMaster Bujold makes you believe her characters are quite real. They are interesting and engaging. Plus the whole "Cetaganda" thing (a futuristic human empire ruled by genetically altered humans, seperated into two distinct classes) is maybe the most intriguing and totally possible take on human development I have ever read. And to top it all off, she grew up 3 blocks away from where my parents live!