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lavendermarch's review against another edition
5.0
This book was wonderful. I read the first half right after I got it for Christmas, and the other half today. No, I don't know why I put it down for so long. Maia and Edan are absolutely lovely together, with both caring words and witty banter, and the occasional fight. Maia's family is both bittersweet and sad, with echoes of happiness. Maia's journey, and her sewing, from winning her spot as tailor to sewing Amana's dresses, and the mythology around them, were as engaging, exciting, and intriguing as they were heart-wrenching. This book was funny and witty in all the right places, with lyrical, magical writing. I could see the story as it happened, and felt all of Maia's emotions right along with her. I enjoyed unraveling the tale around the dresses, and Edan and Maia themselves. Overall, this was an epic tale, and I am incredibly excited for the sequel to release. I want to see how they're going to get themselves out of the mess that this book left things in! I hope the cover is just as gorgeous. I'm so happy that I got the chance to read this, and that I own a hardcover copy. My bookshelf looks even prettier than it used to! I loved that the book was diverse as well. 5 stars. One hundred percent recommended!
ivysinconsistentreads's review against another edition
4.0
okay first and foremost, edan and maia had me kicking my feet and squealing like if there's one thing elizabeth lim knows how to do, it's writing a ROMANCE! that woman really knows how to write a romance. anyways, my overall rating for this book is 4.5/5 stars and it lost 0.5 stars because during the trials arc in the book, the plot kept dragging a bit and in the middle of it, i got bored and contemplated whether or not if i should dnf but the plot picked up a bit more once it was down to norbu and maia. the intensity of the plot definitely picked up once norbu revealed that maia was a girl. ooooh that had me on the edge of my seat. anyways, onto the sequel!
aecidyk's review against another edition
4.0
i’ve wanted to read this for so long and finally did and really enjoyed it <3
hangngt_'s review against another edition
4.0
One sentence : MY NEW FAVORITE BOOK!
2020: future me think about this and it’s probably more of a 4 stars than a 5. Now that I think about it, it’s not my favorite but I really love it.
2020: future me think about this and it’s probably more of a 4 stars than a 5. Now that I think about it, it’s not my favorite but I really love it.
jenpaul13's review against another edition
4.0
Dreaming for something beyond what society tells you you're able to do can only get you so far but having the gumption to pursue your dreams with courage and dedication might just help you to accomplish them. With the opportunity of a lifetime on her doorstep, Maia ventures toward achieving her dream in Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Maia has long dreamt of becoming a great tailor, but as a female she is expected to marry well in order to help her family instead of earning a living with her skill. When a royal messenger requests her father's presence at the palace Maia takes his place, posing as her only remaining brother to help save her father and brother from financial ruin. Upon arriving at the palace, Maia learns she's in a competition with eleven others vying to become the emperor's tailor. With odd tasks set out for the hopeful tailors by the emperor's reluctant betrothed, they demonstrate their artistry and skill to prove their worthiness. Despite appearing as her brother, Maia captures the unwanted attention of the Lord Enchanter Edan, who can see through her disguise and begins to tease her and goad her into using her grandmother's scissors, which appear to be magical. The final challenge proves to be incredibly difficult, requiring Maia to make the three dresses of the goddess Amana, leading her on a life-changing journey across the kingdom.
The narrative grows from simple to sweeping as it weaves together a blend of magical myths, political and courtly intrigue, and social commentary on women's status into an entertaining tale that is evocative of Mulan as promised in the blurb. Though there is a good portion of the story that is fairly predictable, the narrative is captivating and moves rather quickly despite its page length. The world feels well realized, the rules for magic are well established and presented, and the characters are crafted with realistic faults to make them more relatable; the dialogue and relationship growth between Maia and Edan, though overly familiar to near cliché, was quite amusing (and cute) as they verbally sparred and slowly built trust into a stronger, more developed relationship, which added to the emotional punch of the ending and anticipation for a next installment.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Maia has long dreamt of becoming a great tailor, but as a female she is expected to marry well in order to help her family instead of earning a living with her skill. When a royal messenger requests her father's presence at the palace Maia takes his place, posing as her only remaining brother to help save her father and brother from financial ruin. Upon arriving at the palace, Maia learns she's in a competition with eleven others vying to become the emperor's tailor. With odd tasks set out for the hopeful tailors by the emperor's reluctant betrothed, they demonstrate their artistry and skill to prove their worthiness. Despite appearing as her brother, Maia captures the unwanted attention of the Lord Enchanter Edan, who can see through her disguise and begins to tease her and goad her into using her grandmother's scissors, which appear to be magical. The final challenge proves to be incredibly difficult, requiring Maia to make the three dresses of the goddess Amana, leading her on a life-changing journey across the kingdom.
The narrative grows from simple to sweeping as it weaves together a blend of magical myths, political and courtly intrigue, and social commentary on women's status into an entertaining tale that is evocative of Mulan as promised in the blurb. Though there is a good portion of the story that is fairly predictable, the narrative is captivating and moves rather quickly despite its page length. The world feels well realized, the rules for magic are well established and presented, and the characters are crafted with realistic faults to make them more relatable; the dialogue and relationship growth between Maia and Edan, though overly familiar to near cliché, was quite amusing (and cute) as they verbally sparred and slowly built trust into a stronger, more developed relationship, which added to the emotional punch of the ending and anticipation for a next installment.
poppy__flowers's review against another edition
adventurous
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
luxilus's review against another edition
2.0
Dobrałam się do audiobooka, jeśli uda mi się skończyć tę książkę po ponad roku przerwy to będzie cud
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Pomysł na fabułę zapowiadał się TAK DOBRZE (zostałam zbaitowana na Mulan) i początek był obiecujący... A jednak resztę książki niemiłosiernie się wynudziłem. POZA TYM, CZYM BYŁ TEN WĄTEK MIŁOSNY PRZEPRASZAM BARDZO?
Don't pick up your DNFs it's not worth it.
edit*
Pomysł na fabułę zapowiadał się TAK DOBRZE (zostałam zbaitowana na Mulan) i początek był obiecujący... A jednak resztę książki niemiłosiernie się wynudziłem. POZA TYM, CZYM BYŁ TEN WĄTEK MIŁOSNY PRZEPRASZAM BARDZO?
Don't pick up your DNFs it's not worth it.