The Mere Wife

This was an absolutely beautifully written examination of heroes and monsters - how they're created, what drives them, and how the realities that surround them help to shape them.

This book is often described as a modernization of the Beowulf myth, and while it very obviously is that, it goes far beyond that as well, subverting a lot of the tropes of the original story. It's not necessary to be familiar with the old English poem to appreciate the story here, but knowing that connection adds an intriguing layer of depth to the overall story.