With it's teenage protagonist trying to find her place in a hostile world, this book does have a bit of a YA feel to it. But what sets it apart is the sense of something much greater happening in the background and the world building. And what a world it is.

This is a fantasy novel that successfully ignores all of the pseudo-medieval tropes in favour of a world on the cusp of entering its iron age (some tribes have reached this and are guarding their secrets jealously). And all of the humans are shape shifters -- and this is integral to both the story and its themes.

Ultimately, this is a superbly original fantasy, populated with characters that are both believable and sympathetic all wrapped up in a thoroughly compelling narrative.