On the sound recommendation of a good friend whose reading taste is often aligned with mine, I read my first ever book by prolific fantasy author Brandon Sanderson, Warbreaker. The friend who suggested this was right that it was a good place to start, since it's a fast-paced standalone that's easy to get into and totally absorbing--which is really exactly what I'm looking for in leisure reading, these days.
The basic premise involves a world where some people mysteriously return from the dead and are treated as gods. There is a sort of magical life force--Breath--and having more of it (as do the Returned) enables greater perception of colors, as well as certain other powers. Plus, there's a mysterious God King, who has more breath than the rest of them combined. But his priests keep him very secluded, so he's something of a terrifying mystery to most. However, this story starts when a princess from a neighboring/rebel kingdom is sent, per a peace treaty, to be the God King's bride. This could be so cliche and, frankly, gross, but it's handled without any icky rape-turns-to-romance situations.
But this is a story of intersecting stories, so in addition to the princess who's sent to marry the God King, we also get her sister's perspective, as well as that of a very mysterious figure who may be big trouble, and the perspective of one of the other gods in the God King's court, who isn't sure if he believes in his own divinity. I enjoyed watching their stories become ever more entwined, and I was enthralled by the end, when the plots all converged. If there's ever a sequel, I'll gladly read it. I'll probably even read some of Sanderson's other books, one of these days.
If you're into fantasy and want a unique type of magic and plenty of action, give Warbreaker a look.
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