I'm glad you enjoyed the Demas books. I didn't notice any Christian influence though, just Greek and Persian which I enjoyed. I haven't read Honey and Pepper or The House of the Red Balconies yet, (or Something HUman which I just found on Amazon) but I enjoyed the others, especially the shared house Damiskos and Varazda live in - such a beautiful found family.

I didn't know about the Degan books, but they do look interesting though I've read a few too many mythical beings books lately.