Read for: Anticipated Release/ Netgalley/ Requested Review
Synopsis: "Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young 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.
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 poses as a boy and takes 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 vying 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 final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of 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."
My Review: I have been highly anticipating this book since the beginning of the year and was approved early for an ARC but for some reason I got really nervous and didn't pick it up until right before release day. I shouldn't have been nervous at all it was a really engrossing, quick and entertaining book to read. It definitely does pull in elements from a lot of familiar stories/movies/etc., sometimes to the point of being a little too much and reading like a story read before, but those familiar elements lent to a very easy read. I loved the way that all the various influences were woven together, so many of my favorite tropes are included impossible contest, woman disguised as a man and out doing them at their thing, a quest throughout the land and more! I really grew to love Maia, though she does come off as a bit of a Mary Sue, I still couldn't help but love her. Edan was a great counterpoint to Maia's character, mysterious, selfish, confident, and powerful. Even the side characters were multi-dimensional. I was really sucked into the story and consumed it at a very quick pace. I kept waiting for a nice little ending but we are going to need the next book for that (I hope) and I can't wait!
My Rating: This was such an enjoyable book to read, I couldn't put it down! I love the characters and the way the tropes were woven together. I give it a rating of Four Paws!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via Netgalley. The above is my honest opinion.
To find out more about Elizabeth Lim and her books, visit her Goodreads Page or Website.
Today is release day for Spin the Dawn so you can now obtain your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or check at your favorite local bookstore.
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