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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Since after reading her other series, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised when I picked this one up. I was hoping this was good and it delivered. I absolutely loved it! The story is unique and cohesive with good paced progression. It has everything a fantasy needs. A competition with trials where the best one wins, a journey that changes the protagonist forever, a hardworking heroine that goes through struggles but overcomes them in the end, and a great romance. It was all *chef’s kiss*.
I really enjoyed following along Maia through this story. She is a character that I could relate to and admire. She’s determined and dedicated to her craft. At first, I thought the scissors was a little of a cheat code for her to get by in the trials but as she refused to use them, it really showed me a lot about her character. Then later when she uses them to help her through her journey, it made sense. I admired her ambition even when everything was stacked up against her. Her whole Mulan moment made me smile. I also appreciated she wasn’t a porcelain princess. She had calluses and freckles and imperfections.
Something else I liked was the author having Edan be more bronze in terms of skin tone and have curly hair. These small details made me happy since it represents a little of the huge diversity in East Asia. Not everyone is super pale and has straight hair! I love Edan. Again, at first I thought he was used to just help Maia and to make her life easier and them forming a superficial relationship but the author really showed what she can do. Now this is how you write a developed romance! Reading how Maia was annoyed with his presence to her never wanting to let him go was just…AHHH! I ATE THAT UP. And they’re so cute together. Like stop I can’t!
“You are my oath now, Maia Tamarin. And you’ll never be free of me.”
SO FREAKING CUTE! I SCREAMED. THIS IS WHY FANTASY ROMANCES ARE SUPERIOR!
Anyways, safe to say I bought the sequel when I was only 1/3 into this book and now I’m so excited to read it!!
I really enjoyed following along Maia through this story. She is a character that I could relate to and admire. She’s determined and dedicated to her craft. At first, I thought the scissors was a little of a cheat code for her to get by in the trials but as she refused to use them, it really showed me a lot about her character. Then later when she uses them to help her through her journey, it made sense. I admired her ambition even when everything was stacked up against her. Her whole Mulan moment made me smile. I also appreciated she wasn’t a porcelain princess. She had calluses and freckles and imperfections.
Something else I liked was the author having Edan be more bronze in terms of skin tone and have curly hair. These small details made me happy since it represents a little of the huge diversity in East Asia. Not everyone is super pale and has straight hair! I love Edan. Again, at first I thought he was used to just help Maia and to make her life easier and them forming a superficial relationship but the author really showed what she can do. Now this is how you write a developed romance! Reading how Maia was annoyed with his presence to her never wanting to let him go was just…AHHH! I ATE THAT UP. And they’re so cute together. Like stop I can’t!
“You are my oath now, Maia Tamarin. And you’ll never be free of me.”
SO FREAKING CUTE! I SCREAMED. THIS IS WHY FANTASY ROMANCES ARE SUPERIOR!
Anyways, safe to say I bought the sequel when I was only 1/3 into this book and now I’m so excited to read it!!
adventurous
fast-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:
No
I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I liked Maia as a protagonist, she knows what she wants and goes after it. But she could also be irritating at times, especially in relation to the romance in the book. I also generally dislike the trope of the ancient and powerful man (in this case a 500+ year old enchanter) falling in love with a teenage girl. Other than that I liked Edan well enough, but he felt a little bit flat; I don't feel like I really got to know him despite spending so much time with him on the journey.
The magic in this story didn't work very well for me. Sometimes, especially when the story feels like a fairy tale I can enjoy a soft magic system, but this one felt especially soft and undefined.
This feels like a lot of negatives, but I did really enjoy my time with this book. When I was reading it, it really flowed and I raced through it, which probably means the pacing was pretty good. I think the world has potential to be really interesting, and I'd like to know more about the war and the shansen, as well as demons and ghosts and magic. I also really appreciated Maia's connection with her family and how motivating they are to her; it made her very human. I'm definitely planning to pick up the sequel and look forward to reading it and other works by this author.
The magic in this story didn't work very well for me. Sometimes, especially when the story feels like a fairy tale I can enjoy a soft magic system, but this one felt especially soft and undefined.
This feels like a lot of negatives, but I did really enjoy my time with this book. When I was reading it, it really flowed and I raced through it, which probably means the pacing was pretty good. I think the world has potential to be really interesting, and I'd like to know more about the war and the shansen, as well as demons and ghosts and magic. I also really appreciated Maia's connection with her family and how motivating they are to her; it made her very human. I'm definitely planning to pick up the sequel and look forward to reading it and other works by this author.
This book surprised me at every turn. I truly did not think it would capture me as much as it did. I really enjoyed this read.
adventurous
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:
No
This is definitely a 4.5! I would've given it a 5 except I needed more world building. I wanted to know more of the area, the culture, etc. I couldn't get a feel for the world because of this.
Other than that, I seriously enjoyed this book! I loved the relationship between Maia and Edan so much! The ending definitely left me gasping! So excited to read the next book!
Other than that, I seriously enjoyed this book! I loved the relationship between Maia and Edan so much! The ending definitely left me gasping! So excited to read the next book!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A little slow at first, but once I got into it I was really attached to the characters and loved the division of the book into three parts. I'll be starting the sequel right away.
“One woven with the laughter of the sun. Another embroidered with the tears of the moon. And lastly, one painted with the blood of the stars.”
So, I can't tell... is something just wrong with me, or have all the YA fantasies I've been reading recently actually been mediocre? Maybe my YA radar is broken. Or maybe I'm burnt out on fantasy and should take a break. I just feel like they're all starting to sound the same?? And while I care enough about the characters not to DNF, I don't feel a *connection*. You know, like a these characters are my ride or die and I will go down with this ship connection. For the past few fantasies I've read, my cold unfeeling heart has just been like Another cliffhanger? Oh no, how awful for you. Am I just a terrible person?? Am I broken, or was this just not that spectacular???
All this to say, it might be a good idea to take this review with several grains of salt. Maybe a whole salt shaker.
The short version of this review: This book could have been split into two. But if that were the case, I would probably not read Book 2. :P At the same time though, I also feel like this should've been a standalone.
Let me attempt to explain.
The long version of this review:
Spin the Dawn had an extremely strong and promising start; the premise of Part 1 was so exciting and interesting. Retelling of Mulan, but make it fashion? Yes, please. The trials (glass? - so creative!), the mystery surrounding the emperor and his court, Maia in disguise, the magic scissors; it was all really engaging. In fact, I reeeaalllly kinda wish that the competition had just been the whole book. There was a lot of potential for court intrigue and really diving deep into the trials/competitors and slowwww (emphasis on slow) burn romance, etc. But instead, we got a sort of rushed ending to Part 1, and then they went on a loooong quest in Part 2. Honestly, I really think this book could have been split in two. Though I don't know if Part 2 could've held up as a book on its own (but maybe that's also an issue...?), because it was just kinda dull. While I appreciated how the lore and the portrayal of magic expanded the world in Part 2, it felt really dragged out with the three trials and everything in between. And this is the first book of a series? There's more? Idk, man.
Characters: I admired the lengths Maia went for her family, and how she persevered. Although the things she did toward the end were a little questionable. And I actually reeeally liked Edan; his humor was very on point, and his conflict was interesting. Lady Sarnai was the most interesting character though - I really wish we could've gotten more with her.
Romance: I really enjoyed the buildup of their relationship in Part 1, and then somehow, it became instalove? "Love" is a big word to throw around when you barely know each other. Especially considering how often Maia mentioned how little she knew about Edan.
In conclusion: This wasn't bad - I enjoyed Part 1 and certain parts of the rest of the book, but the issues I had with the structure kind of overshadowed what I liked. I probably sound more negative than I felt, because my overall feeling was just a big *shrug*.
I read this for r/fantasy bingo's high fashion square. After the introduction in which the narrator talks about having to save a "boy" she is in love with, I figured this would be an annoyingly limerent YA romance, but I was pleasantly surprised. Excellent food and clothing descriptions and a series of fairytale quests. Romance wasn't too terribly fraught even if I did roll my eyes a few times. Read it in one sitting and stayed up past my bedtime to finish and now I'm fixing to start book 2.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes