Rec me some SF & F?

[luzula]

I'm ordering a big batch of science fiction and fantasy books from Sweden's SF & F bookstore, and I need a few more books to get over the free freight limit. I'm getting the rest of Karen Traviss' "Wess'Har" series (annoyingly, part 2 is out of print and I had to order it second hand from the US). And I'm also probably getting Jo Walton's "Among Others". But I'd love some recs as to what else I should get!

I'm in the mood for:
- interesting female characters
- interesting world-building
- not sure how to phrase this, but: books that deal with political issues, or environmental issues. Or characters who want to do the right thing, or struggle with various allegiances.

I'm not in the mood for:
- books where the main plot is a romance
- epic high fantasy

but if you have something so good that it will transcend my mood, just rec it anyway!

Have not read Robin McKinley's various fairy tale rewritings and am curious about them. If you have opinions about them, please share!

Comments

[lyr]

I strongly recommend Ian McDonald's River of Gods; it deals with complex political, environmental, and sociological issues, and creates a very detailed, rich, compellingly plausible view of futuristic India that is at once fascinatingly full of culture, history, and technology.

Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series, which begins with Warrior's Apprentice also has wonderful world-building, interesting plots, and some of the most strong, delighful characters I've ever read. Bujold's character Cordelia remains one of my favorite female SF&F characters ever.

George R. R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series, which begins with Game of Thrones, has great world-building, too. It is fantasy, but not high fantasy---more an authentic Medieval world with some supernatural elements. There are some wonderful characters, an extremely complex plot, and very convoluted politics. However! I must warn you that it is a very authentic Medieval-type world, and as such, truly awful, horrifyingly brutal things happen pretty regularly, often to characters you like.

Also, I have very strong opinions on Robin McKinley. She is one of my favorite writers, and I adore everything she's written. Her fairytales are gorgeous and brilliant and real. I advise starting with The Door in the Hedge, and working your way to Beauty after that. If you're still hungry after you get through her fairytales, her other books are equally delicious, and, in particular, her Hero and the Crown and its sequel The Blue Sword have really awesome, strong female characters.

[luzula]

I'll check out "River of Gods", it sounds very interesting!

I've seen the Vorkosigan books mentioned, but never got around to trying them out. *puts on list to check out*

And I read the first and possibly the second (I don't remember) of "Song of Ice and Fire" years ago. I think I liked them fine, but they're not high on my reread list.

I am pretty well convinced to read McKinley now! Everyone is recommending her. : )