Spin the Dawn
by Elizabeth Lim
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.
Review: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim was a high-stakes fantasy with it's own Chinese-inspired mythology. It was a very emotion-filled story of a young girl named Maia who takes the place of her father who is too weak, to compete for the position of Royal Tailor to the Emperor. Unfortunately, tailors cannot be women, so Maia disguises her self as her brother in order to compete. While there, she meets the Lady Sarnai, who is being forced by her father to marry the Emperor. She is not happy about it and is trying to delay the wedding as much as possible. In her last effort to stall the wedding, she asks Maia, who is referred to as Master Tamarin, to make the 3 dresses of their goddess Amana. Maia knows this is an impossible task because it would take the tears of the moon, the blood of the stars, and the laughter of the sun to make these legendary dresses. Maia does have a pair of magical scissors that have been in her family for centuries, but she's not sure they will be able help her complete this task. This is where Edan, The Lord Enchanter, steps in to accompany Maia on her journey because he wants to ensure she succeeds. The fate of their Kingdom and for peace depends on it.
The journey is a laborious one, full of danger and impossible challenges. But, with the help of Edan, Maia has a chance to succeed. Because if she doesn't, the Emperor will kill her father and brother. So much happens on this journey and it changes Maia and Edan forever. There is a romance that builds slowly between the two that only grows as the story progresses. I would classify it as an enemies to lovers romance. The story is told through Maia's point of view, and the author did a great job with her character growth and internal conflict. It was a roller-coaster of emotions because the story turns darker as it progresses. The author also reflects on how wars affect families and the heartbreak of losing loved ones. The romance is the story is only secondary to the plot, which is to prevent another war between two kingdoms by ensuring Lady Sarnai marries the Emperor.
If you like Asian-inspired mythology and a high-stakes fantasy/romance, then you will enjoy Spin the Dawn. Looking forward to reading Unravel the Dusk and finding out what happens to Maia, Edan, and the fate of their Kingdom.
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