Raymond E. Feist. I was given his first book when I was only 12 and it was, frankly, thematically too complex for me. I came back to him as an adult and he’s one of my faves.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.

I think I got half way through the first chapter before I wouldn’t stomach her atrocious writing style.

IMO she’s so compelling because she writes character focused novels and has a good sense of humor.