The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, by NK Jemisin

[chipmunk-planet.livejournal.com]

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is about a woman named Yeine, leader of the barbarian Darre, who after her mother is murdered is summoned to her grandfather's throne, a place called Sky. There she learns that she is being named as one of three heirs to the throne ... if she can survive long enough to take it.

This is a complicated story, full of twists from every direction, involving an intricately layered society, political intrigue, shapeshifting gods and the possible end of the world. The plot works beautifully, and I'm looking forward to the next installment in the trilogy.