I may have said this already, but I recommend Zelazny's Lords of Light. And no, it's not a book based on Thundarr the Barbarian(although that would totally rule!!)!!
It is an awesome book that uses technology to mimic the powers ascribed to miracles or divinity in the Indian tradition. The hardest thing about the book, and what makes it most enjoyable to re-read, is that the chapters can alternate between the past and the present. I found that I often mixed up events as they occured in the storyline, and how much more sense they made when put in proper perspective.
That reminds me. In addition to wanting to create a design names list based on types of cheese, I want another one based on Hindu/Eastern deities, demons, heroes/heroines, places and things. Perhaps another list with names for guns would be fun...you'd have your Colt, Magnum, Kalashnikov, etc