The Killing Moon

Jemisin is a modern master of world-building, and this plane is no exception. You can sense the research she devoted to ancient cultures woven in with yet another unique magic system that bears no resemblance to any I've ever read before. She also masters incredibly complicated relationships. Ehiru and Nijiri are mentor/student, father/son, path brothers, mutual caretakers...There is romantic love and spiritual love and doubt and longing. No relationship she writes is clearly labeled; they are all as messy and complicated as real life. This along with her skill at inventing new cultures are what sets her writing apart.