The Raven Scholar

I think that this books popularity rests on two main pillars: the first pillar is that the protagonist, Neema Kraas, is a strong feminist scholar (in my brain: “bookstore owner”) who has a healthy, happy sex life. The second is that this is a twisty magical mystery where you can not understand exactly why and what is going on until 90% through the book. A third pillar is the plot device is a pantheon of animal avatars “The Eight”: Fox, Ox, Tiger, Dragon, Raven, Bear, Monkey, Hound. And the notion of the raven spirit/avatar that, at times, takes over narration and at times takes possession of Neema, and then at times takes the form of a book. Neema’s boyfriend is part of the Fox cult and is later revealed to be a possessed by a Fox avatar.
The overall plot revolves around the the transition of power between the emperors which is facilitated by a competition between representatives of the various animal cults to become the new emperor which is supposed to prevent political unrest and, as well, avoid an apocalyptic return of the Dragon to destroy the kingdom. The original Raven contestant is murdered and Neema, begins as a suspect but soon becomes the detective.

Anyway, the prose in the book is serviceable but not spectacular: it does not get in the way. The world building is pretty good even though our view of the world is through the ruling elites and the animal cultists.