The Unspoken Name' by A.K. Larkwood is this wild, imaginative fantasy that hooked me from page one. It follows Csorwe, a priestess destined to be sacrificed to her god—until a mysterious wizard offers her a way out. She becomes his assassin, diving into this sprawling world of ancient cities, warring factions, and forgotten magic. The world-building is lush, with floating castles and eerie deities lurking in the shadows. What really got me was Csorwe’s journey—she’s fierce but vulnerable, and her relationship with her mentor is so complex. There’s betrayal, found family, and a slow-burn queer romance that made me scream into a pillow. The pacing is breakneck, but it never sacrifices emotional depth. If you love 'The Fifth Season' or 'Gideon the Ninth,' this’ll be your jam.
Also, the side characters are chef’s kiss. Tal Charossa, this chaotic rogue, steals every scene he’s in. The book tackles themes of free will and identity without ever feeling preachy. And that ending? I needed a week to recover. Larkwood’s prose is sharp but poetic, especially in action scenes—you can almost hear the clang of swords. It’s rare to find a debut this confident, blending epic scale with intimate character work.