The Secrets of Jin-Shei

By Alma Alexander (Hromic). This is a moderate fantasy set in a country somewhat resembling (I assume) medieval China. It's a story of sisterhood, so-called "sisters of the heart" who bind themselves together with the promise of jin-shei and a secret writing language known only to women. This book is much more about the relationships between the characters than the few fantasy elements, although one particular piece of alchemy is pivotal in the way the plot progresses, although that's more because of the "public" reaction to it rather than the magic itself.

This was a pretty good book with a somewhat bittersweet ending. You can probably find it in a local library and decide whether you want to read it yourself.