Don't know anything about the Books of the Fallen. My favorite settings though include my own fantasy world, TL rages from 3-5 depending on culture, I enjoy running campaigns at the 150-200pnt level and working up from there. I also love near future settings with TL 6-9 played at 300-500 pnts. And any dark, mysterious setting set in the 19th or 20th century played at 75-125 pnts.

I've also enjoyed running post apocalypse zombie campaigns with friends. You suggest that they make optimum versions of themselves.

Its a great way to introduce new people to the lethality and realism of the system

usually people end up so scared from fright checks that they are puking everywhere or crapping their pants. Its hilarious.

Im having a tough time getting into the future settings, purely because its such a deadly world, and the weapns do *so much* damage, and theres only so much you can explain as realistic futuristic armor.

Though the mecha add-on books are very cool.

Ive also had some success playing in the "SLA" world, another RPG with a bladrerunner-esque world. Its got its own system too, but its even less forgiving than GURPS, and so frikkin COMPLICATED. :) Good world though.
I only recetly moved across to this system from Palladium, and im really enjoying what i have experienced so far..

But i would also have to strongly recommend those Malazan Books of the Fallen to you if you havent read them yet. I just cant say enough good things.

.
. Any technology, if sufficiently more advanced than the viewer, appears as magic. We are currently occupying a world with TL's that span quite the range.
.
. The traditional TL3 medieval with magic, some lower tech primitives, again with magic, and one area, roughly the size of say, Nevada, with limited access to TL9-10. (Interstellar luxury liner emergency ditch, now stranded.)
.
.