Samurai Girl: The Book of the Sword by Carrie Asai

This is the first in a YA series that follows the trials and tribulations of Heaven, a girl who survived a plane crash when she was a baby. Since then, her destiny has twisted and turned until her wedding day, when the world comes crashing in...

This is a great debut for the series - it has action, adventure, culture, and ends with unresolved issues so that the reader wants to pick up the next copy. Plus, Heaven has a kickass sword. Cool.