3) Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold

I had a slow start this morning, thanks to the Brussels branch of the Liberal Democrats' Christmas party last night, and aided the waking process by finishing off Bujold's latest. This is her third fantasy, stepping away from the superb Vorkosigan space operas, a sequel to The Curse of Chalion. Richly drawn world where theology is an applied science, gripping plot, heartily recommended.