Grey Warden

***As her father's chosen heir, eighteen-year-old Rasmira has trained her whole life to become a warrior and lead her village. But when her coming-of-age trial is sabotaged and she fails the test, her father banishes her to the monster-filled wilderness with an impossible quest: to win back her honor, she must kill the oppressive god who claims tribute from the villages each year or die trying.***

I'm on page 199. Wasn't feeling it too much at first; seemed more focused on the idea of romance than telling the story. The heroine, Rasmina, was more intent on getting her first kiss from a boy than focusing on passing her battle test, even during the battle. But I gotta admit- I didn't see that particular twist coming.

Things have picked up since her exile: Rasmina discovers allies out in the Wilds and makes progress in her seemingly impossible quest to kill a god (who clearly isn't one). The idea that NO ONE ever ventured beyond the confines of their village is kinda odd and feels forced, but it's not that improbable. Like most YA books nowadays charactersare also LGBT- friendly.

***The House of Berethnet has ruled Inys for a thousand years. Still unwed, Queen Sabran the Ninth must conceive a daughter to protect her realm from destruction—but assassins are getting closer to her door.

Ead Duryan is an outsider at court. Though she has risen to the position of lady-in-waiting, she is loyal to a hidden society of mages. Ead keeps a watchful eye on Sabran, secretly protecting her with forbidden magic.

Across the dark sea, Tané has trained all her life to be a dragonrider, but is forced to make a choice that could see her life unravel. Meanwhile, the divided East and West refuse to parley, and forces of chaos are rising from their sleep.***

I'm up to pg 317 of 848. This is the best book I've read in a long time! A true heir to the GoT style of storytelling, this a broad, sweeping drama of grand legends, noble beasts, evil monsters, tireless conspiracies, unsung heroes, hidden legacies and schemes high and low coalescing into a perfect storm. And like GoT, there's plenty of people you really shouldn't get too attached to. And I'm not even halfway done yet.