>>2
Bruce Sterling has been on my list of stuff to read for a while, never got around to it tho as the shaper/mechanist universe doesn't really appeal to me at first glance, and I wasn't actually sure where to start. Will try that.
>>3
Tried Neal Asher, bored to tears. Same for Vorkosigan, and Hamilton recently, edenist shit falls under previously mentioned hatred for utopian society. Read Morgan, loved the first book, two others were kinda so and so, but readable. Will try Scalzi/Reynolds.
Also that's exactly my problem with the urban fantasy genre, keep trying to find something worth reading but it's all shitty chick stuff. I really don't need to read about the female main character getting wet for every single male that crosses her path, thanks. Rachel Morgan series is pretty decent tho, apart from the stupid premise.