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aseel_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed most of the book, until we got a bit of an insta love moment and then from there, it became a bit too eye roll dramatic for my taste. It was a good retelling of Mulan and I liked the unique elements it brought but yeah, the romantic relationship became very cringe
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
bookswithangeli's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and War
thenovelbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A beautiful story that imbues Chinese mythology and a combination of retellings of Mulan and Rumpelstiltskin.
The story is set in two parts. The first is Maia's competition to be the Imperial tailor, and the second is Maia's journey and quest to complete three mythical dresses for the Imperial wedding.
There is love, heartbreak, death, and longing to be throughout the story. Magic, demons, Chinese mythology, and enchantments help create a wonderful first book in this duology.
The story is set in two parts. The first is Maia's competition to be the Imperial tailor, and the second is Maia's journey and quest to complete three mythical dresses for the Imperial wedding.
There is love, heartbreak, death, and longing to be throughout the story. Magic, demons, Chinese mythology, and enchantments help create a wonderful first book in this duology.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Body shaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War
sydapel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This isn't quite as strong as Six Crimson Cranes, but I really do love Elizabeth Lim's storytelling abilities and characters. I thought the romance came a bit too quickly in this one, but the stakes are high and the plot is really compelling. Also put the second in the series on hold from the library before I even finished this one, which is a always a good sign.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Violence, Murder, and War
Minor: Sexual content
_jiawen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, the writing, and the story we got to experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
jaerishyuk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: War
kejchaput's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Torture, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Rape
madravingintrovert's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
January is ending with a bang!! Here we have the SECOND 5-flapper girls approved book of the year. This is a young adult book and a pretty clean one at that. There is technically a fade-2-black scene but it is so subtle and tastefully done that you almost don't realize that is what is happening. Spin the Dawn has heavy influences in Eastern world lore, India, Middle East, China, Japan and more. This book had me reading into the late hours of the night and falling asleep reading again. It has been a few months since a book gripped me that strongly. There is mostly adventure with a slow burn love story woven through out. I can't say enough good things about this book. I have a stack that are checked out from the library and due soon and an advanced copy book that I am supposed to read soon and all that is going STRAIGHT out the window in favor of the sequel to this book because I HAVE to know what happens next.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
saoreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's so majestic, the way the story's been woven (no pun intended considering that the novel's about a tailor). The world-building was grandiose, with the fast-paced movement of events leading from the palace to the three-month adventure on the outskirts. I loved that the romance bloomed even more with the climax. It reminded me of that part of the book, "Dance of the Thieves," when the characters strengthened their flourishing love throughout the journey. It was notable for sure that when it came to the heroine's struggle and character development, she grew to face her own fears and fight against odds she never thought she could handle. The decisions she made were weighed between reality and happiness, yet nevertheless, she did not regret them for the better. It ended for me as a sappy reader who can't wait to read the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
booksthatburn's review against another edition
The main character disguises herself as a (specific) boy with a disability she doesn't have. That was iffy enough, but my hell no point was when she bound her chest for five days with no breaks and then kept going through the pain. I'm not interested in watching a character either slowly distort her ribcage through unsafe binding practices, or mysteriously have it just be painful but have no other consequences.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Alcohol and War