raineedayze's review against another edition
5.0
AAAAAGHHH THIS BOOK HAS TAKEN MY HEART. This book is incredible, the characters are so well-developed, the magic is amazing, and I cannot wait for more of this story.
megkerr1's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars
Most of the reviews summarize this book as Mulan meets Project Runway. However, that only comprises the first part of the book. Maia's story arc is similar to Mulan in that she cuts off her hair, disguises herself as a boy, undergoes a journey to save her family, and wants to prove to herself and others that she is worthy despite being a girl. The Project Runway aspect is very little in that she sews dresses and accessories using unconventional items such as paper and glass while competing against other tailors. There is also a side plot on how magic is evil and how myths have a ring of truth to them. I did appreciate the side characters such as Lady Sarnai and the Emperor. Lady Sarnai is a strong warrior princess who also feels trapped in her station because she is a woman who is forced to marry whomever her father/the king arranges for her. I did appreciate the conversations between Lady Sarnai and Maia and how the author didn't have them fight over the Emperor.
The reasons why I am rating this book 4/5 stars is that the romance aspect was pretty bland and unnecessary to the overall plot. I would have preferred if Maia went on the cross country journey alone or with Edan in his hawk form to create more struggles in trying to complete the challenges. I figured out early on that Edan was the hawk/magical being from the beginning. Maia also finishes the tailor challenges and collecting the celestial items quickly/easily even when she doesn't use the magical scissors. If the author had prolonged the first part of the story and shortened the cross country journey, I think that the plot line would have balanced out.
I do plan on reading the next book and would recommend this story to others.
Most of the reviews summarize this book as Mulan meets Project Runway. However, that only comprises the first part of the book. Maia's story arc is similar to Mulan in that she cuts off her hair, disguises herself as a boy, undergoes a journey to save her family, and wants to prove to herself and others that she is worthy despite being a girl. The Project Runway aspect is very little in that she sews dresses and accessories using unconventional items such as paper and glass while competing against other tailors. There is also a side plot on how magic is evil and how myths have a ring of truth to them. I did appreciate the side characters such as Lady Sarnai and the Emperor. Lady Sarnai is a strong warrior princess who also feels trapped in her station because she is a woman who is forced to marry whomever her father/the king arranges for her. I did appreciate the conversations between Lady Sarnai and Maia and how the author didn't have them fight over the Emperor.
The reasons why I am rating this book 4/5 stars is that the romance aspect was pretty bland and unnecessary to the overall plot. I would have preferred if Maia went on the cross country journey alone or with Edan in his hawk form to create more struggles in trying to complete the challenges. I figured out early on that Edan was the hawk/magical being from the beginning. Maia also finishes the tailor challenges and collecting the celestial items quickly/easily even when she doesn't use the magical scissors. If the author had prolonged the first part of the story and shortened the cross country journey, I think that the plot line would have balanced out.
I do plan on reading the next book and would recommend this story to others.
andreamgc's review against another edition
5.0
This is now one of my favourite books. I LOVED this with all my heart. What a wonderful, wonderful story. It reminded my a little of Tamora Pierce's books so I was thrilled when I finally noticed that Tamora has a quote on the front of the book. I honestly can't wait until the next book comes out so I can go back into this world. I never wanted to leave it.
kevdioltreforesta's review against another edition
3.0
3.5⭐
Finito. Allora devo dire che nel complesso è una lettura piacevole,leggera con una bella ship.
Il problema è che sarebbe potuta
essere una storia epica, invece il tutto risulta troppo veloce e poco approfondito. Il libro è suddiviso in 3 parti ma ognuna di essere è affrettata e
per essere fatta come si deve, a mio parere il libro sarebbe dovuto essere diluito in più volumi. La mitologia e il sistema magico per quanto originali abbozzati (si parla di sarti visti come figure sacre, oggetti magici,abiti incantati). La coppia nasce come enemies to lovers/forbidden love, ma a metà libro già diventa noiosa e smielata. Insomma un accozzaglia di cose tant'è che nonostante ci sia tantissimo azione ad un certo punto ci si annoia. Se si è in blocco però è la lettura giusta.
Finito. Allora devo dire che nel complesso è una lettura piacevole,leggera con una bella ship.
Il problema è che sarebbe potuta
essere una storia epica, invece il tutto risulta troppo veloce e poco approfondito. Il libro è suddiviso in 3 parti ma ognuna di essere è affrettata e
per essere fatta come si deve, a mio parere il libro sarebbe dovuto essere diluito in più volumi. La mitologia e il sistema magico per quanto originali abbozzati (si parla di sarti visti come figure sacre, oggetti magici,abiti incantati). La coppia nasce come enemies to lovers/forbidden love, ma a metà libro già diventa noiosa e smielata. Insomma un accozzaglia di cose tant'è che nonostante ci sia tantissimo azione ad un certo punto ci si annoia. Se si è in blocco però è la lettura giusta.
kanha's review against another edition
3.0
I got a copy of this book through netgalley, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
3,5 stars from me.
I love Mulan, and I used to love Project Runway, so a mix of both of these things just sounded great to me.
I´m not going to lie, I was kind of bored reading this book, but there was still that curiosity as to "what is going to happen?" that kept me reading.
Overall I was a little disappointed, I hoped for more Mulan, but the only Mulan we get is that Maia disguises herself as a man.
The competition arc was too short in my opinion, I really wish that the competition had went on for longer, or that we had spent more time at the palace.
The tailoring competiton felt like petty high school drama, I had hoped for something more political and perhaps strategic, instead we got men that tried to get each other hungover or they tried sabotaging the others but mostly Maia with petty tricks.
I´m a sucker for romance in general, so the romance in this book was fine, and dare I even say kind of sweet. But I would have preferred if the romance wasn't the main motivation for story. I didn´t particularly care for Maia or Edan, which made me less invested in their growing romantic feelings. Nonetheless, some of the moments between them were sweet, and I did enjoy reading it.
Maia and Edan are okay. Not a fan of them, but not hating them either. Maia is boring and she is too naive and clueless, which annoyed me a little and Edan didn't particularly catch my attention either.
I'm happy that Edan was never a jerk, because one of the things I hate is when the main protagonist is made to fall for a douchebag, who then becomes a better person. I much prefer the love interest just always being likeable.
To conclude, I did like this book, and there wasn't anything in it that I found too annoying or that made me angry. I wouldn't mind re-reading this book someday.
3,5 stars from me.
I love Mulan, and I used to love Project Runway, so a mix of both of these things just sounded great to me.
I´m not going to lie, I was kind of bored reading this book, but there was still that curiosity as to "what is going to happen?" that kept me reading.
Overall I was a little disappointed, I hoped for more Mulan, but the only Mulan we get is that Maia disguises herself as a man.
The competition arc was too short in my opinion, I really wish that the competition had went on for longer, or that we had spent more time at the palace.
The tailoring competiton felt like petty high school drama, I had hoped for something more political and perhaps strategic, instead we got men that tried to get each other hungover or they tried sabotaging the others but mostly Maia with petty tricks.
I´m a sucker for romance in general, so the romance in this book was fine, and dare I even say kind of sweet. But I would have preferred if the romance wasn't the main motivation for story. I didn´t particularly care for Maia or Edan, which made me less invested in their growing romantic feelings. Nonetheless, some of the moments between them were sweet, and I did enjoy reading it.
Maia and Edan are okay. Not a fan of them, but not hating them either. Maia is boring and she is too naive and clueless, which annoyed me a little and Edan didn't particularly catch my attention either.
I'm happy that Edan was never a jerk, because one of the things I hate is when the main protagonist is made to fall for a douchebag, who then becomes a better person. I much prefer the love interest just always being likeable.
To conclude, I did like this book, and there wasn't anything in it that I found too annoying or that made me angry. I wouldn't mind re-reading this book someday.
endlesstbr's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the characters introduced in this story, and am definitely intrigued to see how they fare in the sequel. The plot summary gives nearly nothing away, which was a pleasant surprise moving through the novel.
oncemorewithreading's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my god, this book! This world that Elizabeth Lim has created is beautiful and I felt myself completely captivated. When I was reading it I never wanted to put it down and when I did have to put it down (mainly because my body needed sleep) I was thinking about it constantly. The descriptions and detail used in this book makes it so much more vivid and beautiful!
I loved Maia so much and she was such a realistic and relatable character. She wanted to do what was best for her family, risking her own life in a very Mulan inspired way so that her families business and reputation remained intact. Maia is such a strong and independent character that I really enjoyed how much her character developed throughout the book and I also loved watching her interactions with Edan.
Edan really grew on me! At first I really wasn't sure how I felt about him and thought for sure that he would ruin Maia's chances or reveal her secret. However this feeling did not last long and I ended up enjoying his part in the whole story.
After Part One the story dramatically changed and I was so intrigued in how the story was going to progress. It had me on the edge of my seat and now that I've finished it I am desperate for the next book.
I recommend this book to any YA fantasy lovers! This was spectacular and incredibly well written. Go pick it up, you won't regret it!
I loved Maia so much and she was such a realistic and relatable character. She wanted to do what was best for her family, risking her own life in a very Mulan inspired way so that her families business and reputation remained intact. Maia is such a strong and independent character that I really enjoyed how much her character developed throughout the book and I also loved watching her interactions with Edan.
Edan really grew on me! At first I really wasn't sure how I felt about him and thought for sure that he would ruin Maia's chances or reveal her secret. However this feeling did not last long and I ended up enjoying his part in the whole story.
After Part One the story dramatically changed and I was so intrigued in how the story was going to progress. It had me on the edge of my seat and now that I've finished it I am desperate for the next book.
I recommend this book to any YA fantasy lovers! This was spectacular and incredibly well written. Go pick it up, you won't regret it!
alex_neige's review against another edition
3.0
3/5~
I like the concept of this book, but, I felt that the execution of the book was a little slow and boring at times. I also thought the romance in this book was rushed and a little awkward.
Overall, I thought this book was just okay. I probably will not continue with this series, it just wasn't for me.
I like the concept of this book, but, I felt that the execution of the book was a little slow and boring at times. I also thought the romance in this book was rushed and a little awkward.
Overall, I thought this book was just okay. I probably will not continue with this series, it just wasn't for me.
booksofnina's review against another edition
4.0
WOW!! Just in one word: WOW
After reading the Throne of Glass series all the books I read where just not it. This is the first one since January that was so good! I thought I maybe wouldn't like it because I have nothing with clothes or tailors but it's an amazing story. I know it's a retelling of Mulan but it really stands on it own. Can't wait to read part 2!
After reading the Throne of Glass series all the books I read where just not it. This is the first one since January that was so good! I thought I maybe wouldn't like it because I have nothing with clothes or tailors but it's an amazing story. I know it's a retelling of Mulan but it really stands on it own. Can't wait to read part 2!