IGX

Yes, David Drake. I mixed up the order, though. With The Lightnings is the first book. Drake, BTW, is a personable, friendly fellow in RL (or at least towards fans). I met him a couple of times. One nice thing he does is he will sign any book of his... he's not one of those guys that makes his fans buy a brand new hardback in order to get a signature. In fact I've seen him at a used bookseller's, signing all his books unasked, right off the shelf. Now, this is actually pretty smart, because used books are how a lot of people (especially younger cash-poor readers) try out new authors, but many hot-shot authors refuse to sign used books ever. It's shooting themselves in the foot, in my opinion, but success brings out the jerk in some people. Stephen Donaldson, for example, stole my old room-mate's girlfriend.

The Prestige was a pretty good sci-fi flick

Yes I did.

I also read "The Paladin" (you'd like it) and the series about the chick with the sword. I haven't read CJ Cheryth in years, though. I don't think I read Prador Moon yet.

Recently. Alan Campbell's "Scar Night" and "Iron Angel"....got great reviews but are definitely not for everyone.

"Opening Atlantis" by Harry Turtledove was good alternative history.

I've read a shitload more lately but I can't think of them.