Shadebound by David Estes and GD Penman  is very different fantasy story.

I loved the magic, which isn't a hard magic system but more on the fluent side of things. I didn't mind this, as it fit well within the world and style of the story.

It was a bit too easy and "from zero to hero" for a full 5 star rating, but I still enjoyed the main character and her newly found best friend a lot.

Getting power from the shades of dead people was a fresh idea compared to a lot of books I read recently, and I will happily explore more in this world.

I liked most of the side characters as well, even though u didn't like them as a person at times. But even the aloof one was well written and therefore I was interested in his fate, despite wanting to shake him every so often.

There's a hunt of a sapphic attraction here, which was nice to read, and I'm curious where things will go in future books.