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

[malnpudl]

I love Tanya Huff's Confederation series -- the books with "Valor" in the titles -- and they most certainly meet your first two criteria. With a bit of the third, at least. The protagonist is a female sergeant in the Marines -- i.e., the infantry or ground troops -- which are composed from members of three of the species within the Confederation. Other species fulfill different roles.

Huff's writing is good rather than great, but her world-building is terrific and her storytelling is wonderful. In addition to the complete and satisfying plot within each book, there's also greater story arc threading through the entire series.

Another plus: Roles in this 'verse are entirely gender-neutral, which is a welcome breath of fresh air, doubly so because Huff doesn't call attention to it. Sexuality is also flexible. And fun. *g*

[luzula]

That does sound like something I'd enjoy! Stories with female military officers tend to, um, appeal to my id for some reason.

I'll get the first one of those. : )

[brigantine]

Heeeee! I was gonna recommend those! \o/!!