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Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim intrigued me from my first glimpse as I love Project Runway as well as anything Mulan inspired. This story of a sewing competition is thrilling to read as the main character competes under a fraudulent identity, and I enjoyed her passion and the care she provides for her family. What I didn’t love was the rest of the book after the competition is over, as the story changes dramatically after only a third of the way through. I must say I was disappointed in this one since I had such high hopes for it.
Title: Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars #1)Series: The Blood of Stars #1
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: July 9, 2019
Rating:
Series Rating:
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.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
This book follows a tailor named Maia as she poses as a man to compete in the emperor’s tailoring competition. As part of her final challenge, she must go on a journey to create three gowns made of fantastical materials that are difficult to obtain. I found the blend of mythology with Mulan and Project Runway interesting, as this is a combination I never would have expected. The mix of design and magic is very creative. I also love books that feature competitions, so the tension and thrill that this brings was very enjoyable to me. The sewing in particular was very exciting to read about as the descriptions of the characters’ creations are gorgeous. Ultimately, this is an original story that is sure to delight fantasy fans.
❀ Brave Main Character
Maia is an interesting character, and I love what she stands for. By entering the competition under a false identity, she is aware of the the risks she faces, however her reasoning for doing so is so pure. Not only does Maia compete to achieve her dream, she does it to support her family and earn money to send back to them as well. She is very passionate about what she does, and her compassion and thoughtfulness when it comes to those she loves made me appreciate her even more. As well, Maia is incredibly brave on her journey to collect the three materials, and she doesn’t back down from a challenge, no matter how difficult it may be.
❀ Becomes Repetitive
For me, what was disappointing about this book is the fact that is turns into a completely different story about a third of the way through. The competition is over around 100 pages in, and then Maia is off on a journey that I honestly didn’t care about. The descriptions of her sewing and the tension of the competition and getting caught for her disguise are so entertaining to read, and if this had continued, the book would have been a 5 star read. This trip becomes boring and repetitive after a while, and I could have done without it as I didn’t find that it contributes that much to the story. Probably one of my biggest issues with this journey is the complete switch in Maia’s values. Everything suddenly revolves around Eden and their romance, and she seems to forget about everything she stood for and desired in the first half. It is difficult to describe without spoiling too much, but there is one scene in particular at the very end in which Maia makes a huge sacrifice for this boy, and this ruined the book for me. What happened to her ambitions and saving her family?
❀ Try it if You Enjoy Mulan Retellings
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim contains an interesting combination of influences, and I enjoyed the descriptions of sewing as well as the main character. That being said, I didn’t appreciate the way the book changes in the second half as the exciting and suspenseful story becomes flat and overly romance-driven. I would still suggest this one to those who enjoy Mulan retellings, however, as I may be a black sheep here.
About Elizabeth Lim
ELIZABETH LIM grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she was raised on a hearty diet of fairy tales, myths, and songs. Before becoming an author, Elizabeth was a professional film and video game composer, and she still tends to come up with her best book ideas when writing near a piano. An alumna of Harvard College and the Juilliard School, she now lives in New York City with her husband and her daughter.
Spin the Dawn (book 1 in the Blood of Stars series) was her first original novel, and Unravel the Dusk is her second.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
Too bad it let you down. Sure had a good synopsis and the cover is gorgeous. I sometimes wonder if an author loses their focus when a story takes a wrong turn?
Laura Thomas recently posted…Murder’s No Votive Confidence by Christin Brecher ~ Giveaway
That seems possible! I think that others will enjoy this one, though. 😉
Great honest review! I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy this book as much as you hoped! It looks like this book seems to be either a hit or miss for some people. I’ll try to lower my expectations when I finally get around to it. I hope you’re enjoying your current read!
Raven @ Dreamy Addictions recently posted…Her Dark Legion (The Messenger Chronicles #5) By Pippa DaCosta [Review]
It really has been! I hope that you do find it enjoyable, Raven. 🙂
Surprise coming from me, Mrs. Thriller/Horror all day long, but I am a huge Project Runway fan. Who doesn’t adore Tim? If you don’t adore the man, how DARE you?! So this sounds interesting from that perspective. I don’t know much about Mulan, so that isn’t as big of a pull. BUT you don’t turn your back on your FAMILY, main character! You just. don’t!
RIGHT?! OMG!! I love Tim! It is one that went in a direction that I didn’t appreciate, for sure! 🙂
Bummer this didn’t completely live up to your expectations 😔 I found both journeys fun in their own way. About the ending, I didn’t notice it that way until you mentioned it. I think it was a difficult predicament she was put in and hope that she has left some thing for her family in the next book…
Maybe things will turn around in the next book. I am glad that you found it to be enjoyable! 🙂
Oh no, this sucks. I haven’t read it but I probably would enjoy more the competition aspect of it, too. It sounds like the author didn’t know how much to write of it and tried something else. It sucks it got ruined for you with the ending. I don’t think this one would be for me.
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters recently posted…Mid-Year Freak Out
Yup!! I think that it will be one that lots will really enjoy, but it just didn’t fit for me. 🙂
Lovely review! I’m so sorry to hear this one ended up being a little disappointing towards the end 🙁 I’ve only heard great things about this book so far, so it’s good to be warned about the story potentially becoming a little repetitive. I still can’t wait to read this one, hoping I will love it 🙂 thank you for sharing!! <3
I hope that it ends up being one that you love. It definitely has lots of potential! 🙂
Ah dang for the repetitions!!! I have this one on my Kindle as an ARC I hope it will bother me less than you! Thanks anyway for this honest review!
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it! 🙂
It’s the worst when a book turns out to be something completely different from something than it starts out to be. Especially when you have such high expectations for the story.
Sorry this was such a disappointment. xo
Jordann @thebookbloglife recently posted…The Kingdom book review [ARC]
I think that is what happens when a book is one that you are really excited for sometimes. 😉
I also read it and felt similarly. While I thought it was entertaining enough I really didn’t like the romance
Wish this was better, I liked the concept.
Looks like a great series!