Perhaps the greatest complement that can be paid to a piece of fiction is that it causes you to see your own world and reality in a new light and at a deeper level. Patricia McKillip arouses these senses in the beautifully written and captivating Alphabet of Thorn. I highly recommend it if you enjoy the magic and romance of fiction; that experience of getting swept up into another world vividly portrayed across the canvas of your imagination.
(One parental note: In my opinion, this is probably not suitable for readers younger than high school age).