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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
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
kolanya's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.25
a great read! you’ll probably never read something else quite like it. it plays on some well-worn tropes, but manages to make them exciting nevertheless. i found the sewing element very interesting, even as someone who knows nothing about it. the author is really good at making you feel the same way the mc is
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Death of parent and 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
egurgens's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A Mulan-esc story, where the daughter of a weakened father is called by her country to participate in an event. However, it's not war, its a tailoring competition, where only men are allowed. Maia has to navigate not only the super competitive competition, but she has to be careful not to appear feminine, and she has to deal with the court enchanter, who seems able to see through her disguise as a man.
Maia must deal with overly-savage competitors, magic, the enchanter, and the sanshen's daughter, who doesn't want to marry, even to save the country. There are three parts to this story, the competition, the journey, and the results. Maia is strong, confident in her abilities, but has to deal with challenges though impossible. With the help of the court enchanter, Edan, she goes on a journey to accomplish her task, and maybe even develop some feelings along the way.
Maia must deal with overly-savage competitors, magic, the enchanter, and the sanshen's daughter, who doesn't want to marry, even to save the country. There are three parts to this story, the competition, the journey, and the results. Maia is strong, confident in her abilities, but has to deal with challenges though impossible. With the help of the court enchanter, Edan, she goes on a journey to accomplish her task, and maybe even develop some feelings along the way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Police brutality, Medical content, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
hilarylouise's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Violence, and Death of parent
spaghettii's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was very slow paced, main character was still cool I guess
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and War