Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Spin the Dawn (Blood of Stars, #1)

by Elizabeth Lim

Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping fantasy about a teenage girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars. And don’t miss Elizabeth Lim’s new novel, the instant New York Times bestseller, Six Crimson Cranes!

“All the cutthroat competition of a runway fashion reality show and the thrilling exploits of an epic quest." The Washington Post


Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia makes the ultimate sacrifice and poses as a boy to take his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors in a cutthroat competition for the job.
 
Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

And nothing could have prepared her for the unthinkable final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the sun, the moon, and the stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.
 
Steeped in Chinese culture, sizzling with forbidden romance, and shimmering with magic, this fantasy novel is not to be missed.

"This is a white-knuckle read." Tamora Pierce, #1 New York Times Bestselling author of Tempests and Slaughter

Reviewed by Chelsea on

5 of 5 stars

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Actual Rating - 4.5

A lot of YA fantasy is getting a little overdone but I fell in LOVE with Spin the Dawn! It was such an original idea and felt like a fairy tale I had grown up with. I love myself a good competition so starting the book with the goal to be the kings tailor was a fun beginning. It got very serious very quick and then turned into a quest of sorts to find the right materials to make these enchanted dresses?? Like yes?? Sign me up please! It was perfect!

The characters were all very interesting as well! They each had certain secrets that you were trying to figure out from the moment they were introduced. Why is the king so charming all the time? Who is this enchanter guy? What is up with the queen to be? SO many questions and it was a fun time trying to figure everyone out.

My only concern now is how is the rest of the series going to live up to this first book!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 18 August, 2019: Finished reading
  • 18 August, 2019: Reviewed