An enjoyable, magic-less fantasy that nicely balances worldbuilding, character development, and action.
Tequende is an isolated realm in the Nigh World (something like the Americas) that escaped conquest by the hungry invaders from the Far World (something like Europe), a peaceful little neutral kingdom on a high plateau surrounded by mountains. That isolated peace is ensured by the tradition of the legendary Queen's army. All first-born children inherit their parents' livelihoods; there are three broad guilds of professions, each with their own god and subculture. All second-born children submit for public service at the age of 15. Those who prove worthy after an intense year of training are conscripted into the army for three years; those who don't serve the realm in other capacities for five years.
Tali has spent her life dreaming of following in her mother's footsteps by serving proudly in the Second Guard, living with her father and twin as riverboat traders. At the appointed time, she leaves home and travels to the academy to compete against the other pledges for one of the coveted spots. During her training, she will learn all manner of new things about loyalty, hard work, the other guilds, her realm, and the larger world; she will realize she is far more innocent than she suspected and the world is a complicated place.
Pledges are taught to train hard, follow orders, and not question leaders. But there are rumors, things that don't quite add up, and Tali starts getting strange messages from her sister. Something mysterious is going on behind the scenes, and the more Tali and her friends learn, the more they suspect it's something that might threaten the queen and their peaceful realm. And that at least one of their leaders might be involved.
There are many reasons to recommend this one and many readers who will enjoy it.