This book hooked me from the start with its gritty fairytale feel. Immediately, I was drawn into Candle and her story. The situation she is in with her family and the magic system is very unique. This is a land where the people have to deal with zombies and demons. Magic is also the norm. Where Candle is an outcast within her family and her community is that she can't use magic and her eyes are blue, which is connected to demonic association. So Candle grows up isolated and shunned to the point where many don't even know she exists. 

Once she escapes, readers get to explore more of the world along with her and learn more about the magic systems. As her brother pursues her for his own gain, she gains allies who become like found family even as has to keep secrets from them. They also have their own secrets as well as dark pasts. 

I will say that some elements of the world building shares commonalities with ASOIAF. For instance, the land they're in is called the Seven Kingdoms and they're fighting variations of zombies/wights. I would also say that the Ancestor's Own as a group is very similar to the Night's Watch, but without the ice Wall. But the characters and story are so different that it didn't feel derivative. 

For instance, there seems to be gender equality within this universe, so the Ancestor's Own are made up of both men and women, all of whom learn to fight and have responsibilities as well as leadership roles.

This book is excellent. Definitely recommend!