Book Review :: Spin the Dawn, by Elizabeth Lim

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
ISBN: 052564699X
Series: The Blood of Stars #1
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers
on 2019-07-09
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
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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.

Last updated on 19 March 2023

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My thoughts on Spin the Dawn

When the description reads ‘Project Runway meets Mulan’ then you know you’re in for a treat. Mulan is one of my favourite Disney movies (up there with The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast), Project Runway is a brilliant show, and I’ve just taken up sewing again; what a great start to a novel already.

I thoroughly enjoyed Spin the Dawn. The characters of Maia and Edan were excellent, and I felt like the timeline of them getting together was long enough that it wasn’t insta-love like in so many YA novels. It’s several months of being around each other, of distrust and wariness, and then also travelling together on the quest set before Maia. It’s not a slow-burn type of romance, but it’s definitely not instant, which was a breath of fresh air to say the least. Maia was a real joy to read; she’s strong and loyal, only wants what’s best for her family back home, but isn’t going to let society and being a young woman get in her way. Edan is witty and chock full of wonderful banter with Maia.

“I want you to know that some journeys have ends, but not this one. This one will change you. Irrevocably.”

“Don’t all journeys change you?”

“It isn’t the same.” He leaned forward. “I, too, once journeyed beyond the stars.”

“What did you find?”

His voice turned lethally soft. “That it’s just the beginning.”

The Project Runway aspect of the story was brilliantly done, and while it wasn’t until about half way through the book that we got to the main quest – Maia setting off into the world with Edan to find the moon, sun and stars to spin into dresses – it was very enjoyable to read. The other contestants ranged between absolute idiots set on getting rid of Maia (even though they think she’s a boy), and a few contestants who are kinder in their approach.

If you’re after a book full of beautiful things, sewing competitions, Mulan-esque girls-disguised-as-boys, a witty romance and a wonderfully magical world, then I recommend picking up Spin the Dawn. The sequel Unravel the Dusk, comes out next year (2020).

Have you read Spin the Dawn? What did you think?