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

[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. : )