Lacking Natural Simplicity

Paladin of Souls, by Lois McMaster Bujold. A indirect sequel to her Curse of Chalion, this book main character is a minor character in the previous book. Well written fantasy of the non-generic sort.

The Far Side of the Stars, by David Drake. This is the third book in Drake's RCN series featuring Lt. Daniel Leary and Signals Officer Adele Mundy. Well done military science fiction, with potential to be more.