ISO calibrated book recommendations

I've got two books (OK, book and a series) I've been trying to get a calibrated recommendation about recently.

1) The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch

2) Old Man's War, by John Scalzi (and sequels)

I'm going to ask in a couple of places - sorry if you see this twice.

My favorite currently writing authors include Lois McMaster Bujold, Sharon Lee & Steve Miller, David Weber, Steve Brust, Terry Pratchett, and P.C. Hodgell. (This is NOT an exhaustive list!) I'm not certain why, but I have a weakness for Mercedes Lackey. I go back and re-read E.E. "Doc" Smith regularly. I cannot read Neil Gaiman - I can see the horror underpinnings, and that makes it unreadable. (I loved it when my wife read Good Omens, and read me the good parts.)

If you want an opinion on any other authors / books for calibration purposes, feel free to ask!