Rating: 3.5 of 5
Synopsis: “[A]n innocent young woman becomes entangled in a web of ancient secrets and deadly lies that lie at the dark center of her prosperous island world. Eliana is a model citizen of the island, a weaver in the prestigious House of Webs. She also harbors a dangerous secret—she can dream, an ability forbidden by the island’s elusive council of elders. No one talks about the dreamers, the undesirables ostracized from society.
Joining a band of brave rebels determined to expose the island’s dark secrets, Eliana becomes a target of ruthless forces determined to destroy her. To save herself and those she loves, she must call on the power within her she thought was her greatest weakness: her dreams.” (source)
My thoughts: I would prepare those readers expecting the stark, post-apocalyptic reality from Memory of Water; The Weaver is much more fantastical, mythical, dream-like. Its story a little denser, a little unfocused.
I loved the use of water in The Weaver — in this case it is something to be feared, the potential ender of life instead of the giver as in Memory. I loved that Eliana has brown skin[spoiler]; her girlfriend is pale-skinned, which, I assume, is who the publisher chose to feature on the book’s US cover. Booooo to them for whitewashing[/spoiler].
Emmi Itäranta writes such evocative prose! The entire waterwold felt alive – wet, cold, salt buildup – as if lying in wait to devour the island’s inhabitants. This island’s dystopia hinges on misinformation and control of information. Something I’m sure some of us can relate to.
I look forward to Itäranta’s next book.
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(Review cross-posted on LibraryThing and Goodreads.)