Foundation by Mercedes Lackey (2008)

I was wanting to read something different, and decided to go back to fantasy, but thought I like Lackey, this was not quite as satisfying as I hoped. This is book 1 of the Collegium Chronicles - set in a school for new heralds, healers and bards. The main character Mags gets rescued from a miserable life in a gem mine and slowly discovers his talents and makes friends. My favorite part was the description of mid-winter celebration.