Book Review: “Spin The Dawn” (The Blood of Stars #1) by Elizabeth Lim
“Spin The Dawn” (The Blood of Stars #1) by Elizabeth Lim (2019)
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Fiction
Page Length: 392 pages (hardcover edition)
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. (description from Goodreads)
Review:
Spin The Dawn has such stunning cover art that immediately catches the eye! The story follows, Maia, a seamstress from a family of tailors. She takes the place of her brother (Kenton) and disguises herself as man in order to compete in a competition at the royal palace to win the position of Imperial Tailor.
Maia is a dreamer who wants to explore the world around her and show of her talented skills in a field meant for men. She knows she’s destined for more and uses the chance of competing to restore her family’s honor and show her skills. Once in the palace, Maia faces obstacles on all fronts and she feels like she has been thrown into the midst of a gambler’s den. She is struggling with missing her family, trying to keep up her disguise, and trying not to get distracted by the competition.
She befriends the Enchanter, Edan, and learns more about the secrets of the palace and its reigning power. He gives input about the gifted magic she receives during the competition, but warns that it comes with a price. When Maia advances in the competition she sets on a quest that leads to an unforgettable adventure.
What a rich fantasy novel with solid world building! I loved the addition of the map in the novel that gives a detailed look at Maia’s journey. I loved the lush scenery, the lore of the world, and the journey that takes place in the overall plot. It was a highly immersive reading experience and I couldn’t wait to see what quest Maia would go on next. I also enjoyed the wide range of characters from Maia’s family who gave her strength, the cruel and conniving Lady Sarnai, to the whimsical and unpredictable Edan. The variety of characters and their depth gave this book everything.
This book has everything I look for in any fantasy novel. The rich mythology and folklore, on top of the otherworldly aspects pulls the reader into the story. I cannot wait to read the sequel Unravel The Dusk!
Final Verdict:
