Spin The Dawn by Elizabeth Lim // Book Review

Title: Spin The Dawn
Series: The Blood Of Stars (#1)
Author: Elizabeth Lim
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published: July 9th, 2019
Pages: 392

Synopsis: 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.

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Project Runway + Mulan = Spin The Dawn. I simply adored this story.

Spin The Dawn follows Maia, a girl who wants to be the best tailor in the world. Unfortunately, at the time, only men can be deemed great tailors. One day, a royal messenger comes to collect Maia's father to become the emperor's tailor. If he was unable to attend, his last living son, Keton, was to take his place.

Keton is not a good tailor. Not only that, he is still injured from the war. Maia decides to cut her hair and dress as her brother to make sure her family doesn't lose their honor and she can ultimately help her family survive. When Maia arrives at the palace, she learns that other have been summoned to become the emperor's tailor. Not only that, they have to compete for the position.

This is an amazing story of a girl trying hard to earn her place in a world that believes women should not be acknowledged for the work they do. There are many challenges she has to face in the competition. The last challenge will prove that she's the best tailor in the world. If she can survive it with Edan, the emperor's Lord Enchanter.

This story was so much fun. I loved every second of it. I just really wish that the ending wasn't so freaking sad. I love Maia and I LOVE Edan. This book was packed with drama and a lot of action. There's even a bit of romance! A bunch of elements that make a wonderful book.

I cannot wait until the next book is released! I need to know how Maia gets out of this situation she's put herself in.

4/5 Stars