SOLVED. Sci-fi/fantasy, women had a secret language they sang to one another [s]

[Kay]

I read this book many years ago, my guess is around 1998. It was a paperback I bought from the sci-fi or fantasy section of Waldenbooks. Reading level would have been adult.

All I remember about it was that the women in the book lived under a lot of oppression, and they had a secret language they sang to one another that the men could not understand. The men didn't even know the songs were a language.

I'm sorry I can't remember any more about it. :(

[Amanda]

A friend of mine loved the book, i think this is it:

[Kay]

Oh my gosh that's it! But wow, it looks so dated. :)
Thank you so much!!!

[Amanda]

No problem, it's part of a series actually :)

[Kay]

I didn't know that. In fact, I don't think I ever finished the book. I remember it being very dense to get through. Not that that's a bad thing. I had a very short attention span back then. :)
Seriously, though, my mind is blown that I finally know what it is. I posted with very low expectations that someone would know. You made my day.

[LauraW]

It is one of my favorite books. The Judas Rose is the second book in the series, which I unknowingly actually read first. I do not care for the third book, Earthsong, though.