Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (2012)

A young soldier discovers she can summon sunlight in a kingdom torn apart by darkness — and power. Bardugo’s Grishaverse is lush and textured, full of beauty and danger in equal measure. With romance, moral tension, and moments of real heartbreak, this book lays the foundation for one of YA fantasy’s most enduring worlds.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐