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I like Hodgell a lot, but I agree she can be a bit hard to read. Some of her names are similar in ways that can be confusing to keep track of. But I really enjoyed her books when the first couple came out, and I've been delighted to find more recently.
She's more of an "atmosphere" author than an "action" author. Your daughter might want to try Patricia McKillip, if she hasn't yet. Jessica Amanda Salmonson might be another good choice. Maybe Tanith Lee. Or Meredith Ann Pierce.
I like both science fiction and fantasy, though I have my preferences within each, like anyone. I don't much care for most "military" sf, and there's a comparable variety of fantasy that doesn't do much for me, either. Recently I started Sheepfarmer's Daughter by Elizabeth Moon (from the free Baen library), and dropped it within the first couple of chapters. Not enough character development or interesting ideas for me. Someone who likes lots of action and stories of a life of adventure might enjoy it a lot more than I did, though. (On the other hand, I finished an ebook recently that had plenty of ideas and tried to have interesting character development, but I just really didn't enjoy the writing or the book -- I don't even remember the title or author now, though I usually make a point of remembering such things. It was recommended here, as it had been nominated for an award and the author was making it available for free online.)
An interesting science fiction/fantasy hybrid I've read several times is Melissa Scott's Five Twelfths of Heaven and sequels.
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