The Maid and the Crocodile

This side story to the Raybearer duology blew me away. I was rather shocked because it is very prosy, spending a lot of time in the main character's head thinking and reflecting. While it seems like that would be rather boring, it somehow was action packed and full of great dialogue. I found it much more engaging than the duology, even though I didn't remember the world building all that much. It's advertised as being standalone and it was. I was completely drawn into this book's world building and the plight of this orphan struggling between listening to the inner voice that says keep to your station and an external voice telling her she could move mountains. This book is nominated for the 2025 Lodestone Award at the Hugos and stands far above the others I've read so far. This may be the one to beat.

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