Star Crossed by Elizabeth C. Brunce

What the back of the book says:
"High in the snow-covered mountains of Llyvraneth, in a castle full of the country's elite, Celyn Contrare serves as a lady-in-waiting to shy young Merista Nemair. Her days are spent dressing in velvet and brocade, attending Lady Merista, navigating court gossip, and charming noblemen over lavish feasts.
And at night, she picks locks, steals jewels, forges documents, and collects secrets. Because Celyn isn't really a lady-in-waiting; she's not even really Celyn Contrare. She's Digger, a sneak-thief on the run from the king's Inquisition, desperate to escape its cruel instrumentations and hatred of magic. If she's discovered, it will mean certain death...
...But life as a lady-in-waiting isn't safe either. The devious Lord Daul knows her secret, and he's blackmailing her to serve as his personal spy in the castle. What she discovers - about Daul, about the Nemair, even about her own Lady Merista - could signal civil war in Llyvraneth. And for a thief trained never to get involved, taking sides could be the most dangerous job yet."

What I have to say:
The title here implies romance, which I've already established as dangerous book territory for me. So it's a little surprising that, in this book, any romance ends in the first chapter after a robbery-gone-wrong. And now we have something different - a Young Adult book that manages to leave out the romance. And, even more interesting, it's good! Brunce has created a fascinating world full of politics, religion, and magic that it seems such a shame to only see this small portion of it. Of course, there is a sequel (Liar's Moon), but it's not out yet so I guess I'll wait to revist this world. But this book is great. The characters all have secrets and hidden alliances. There are plot twists and betrayals - some surprising, some not so much - and a main character who is level headed enough to see all of it.
So I guess the take-home message for this is that you should read it. If nothing else, you'll get to peek into a crazy-interesting imaginative world (with seven moons, if I remember correctly). Come November 1st, I'll be sure to pick up the sequel.