The Warden by Daniel M. Ford (Paperback)

The Warden is the first book in the Necromancer's Smile series by Daniel M. Ford, published by Tor. The story follows a young necromancer who returns to a remote village to serve as its warden, where she must deal with both the living and the restless dead. This fantasy novel combines dark magic, small-town life, and a strong, wry heroine. A great choice for readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with a gothic edge.