Henna house

This vivid saga begins in Yemen in 1920. Adela Damari's parents' health is failing as they desperately seek a future husband for their young daughter, who is in danger of becoming adopted by the local Muslim community if she is orphaned.

With no likely marriage prospects, Adela's situation looks dire - until she meets two cousins from faraway cities: a boy with whom she shares her most treasured secret, and a girl who introduces her to the powerful rituals of henna.