A weaver in the prestigious House of Webs, Eliana is a model citizen. However, she hides the dangerous fact that she can dream, an ability forbidden by her island's council of elders. Despite her secret, life is smooth, until a young girl is found lying outside the House of Webs. The only clue to the girl's identity is a word tattooed in invisible ink across the girl's palm; a tattoo which is Eliana's name. Curious to know why her name is tied to this girl, Eliana soon discovers a deep corruption at the heart of the island, putting herself, and those she loves, in great danger.
This is an absolutely beautifully written book. I found myself turning sentences and phrases over in my mind, just enjoying them. The imagery is clear, and it's easy to imagine the surroundings and the people. In this world, women aren't allowed to know how to read or write, so communication between the House of Webs is limited. Eliana, in addition to being a dreamer, can also read and write, so even if she wasn't a dreamer, she has dangerous knowledge. The characters in this story are primarily female, and are fighting against several factors, including ignorance, and the system they live under, as well. I'd give this to readers who liked The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen, as well as readers who like some of Sheri Tepper's books.
Here's an example of the writing, from p. 91, "Winter-chilled stars shine like silver coins sinking into the sea, sprinkling their faint light on the streets and canals." Also, p. 115 "I imagine her writing down in her remedy notebook everything she has discovered, lifting the spread with small, knife-sharp letters that have the power to cut open the surface of the world."
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