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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
Okay first tryhard review of mine on this godforsaken site hoo boy here we go:
This went from a 5 star read, to 4, to finally 3 when I actually thought about it. The beginning chapters were really immersive and interesting, and the tailor competition was probably my favorite part of this book!
However, from the way the enchanter was introduced I could immediately tell there would be a romance between him and the main character. Which isn't bad on its own, it's just that he's 500 YEARS OLD and Maia is 18! I wish I was joking. This little detail totally turned me off the romance aspect.
...which is a shame, since the second half of the book mainly focuses on the romance as the driving force of the characters. I also felt like the plot moved wayyyy too quick in the second half! There was hardly any time to get to know the surroundings, and the "impossible quest" felt a bit silly. (Also: sometimes the characters would be riding on their horses and suddenly they're hugging or kissing? How does that work???)
I'll probably still be reading the sequel, as I really adore Lim's writing style and the fairytale-like elements of the story.
This went from a 5 star read, to 4, to finally 3 when I actually thought about it. The beginning chapters were really immersive and interesting, and the tailor competition was probably my favorite part of this book!
However, from the way the enchanter was introduced I could immediately tell there would be a romance between him and the main character. Which isn't bad on its own, it's just that he's 500 YEARS OLD and Maia is 18! I wish I was joking. This little detail totally turned me off the romance aspect.
...which is a shame, since the second half of the book mainly focuses on the romance as the driving force of the characters. I also felt like the plot moved wayyyy too quick in the second half! There was hardly any time to get to know the surroundings, and the "impossible quest" felt a bit silly. (Also: sometimes the characters would be riding on their horses and suddenly they're hugging or kissing? How does that work???)
I'll probably still be reading the sequel, as I really adore Lim's writing style and the fairytale-like elements of the story.
Para mí, son dos novelas en una, muy diferentes entre ellas. Aun así, he disfrutado bastante de ambas. Me ha encantado el worldbuilding anclado en el folklore (algo así es lo que esperaba que fuera, para mí, La hija de la diosa de la luna), la relación principal y el estilo de la autora.
Spin the Dawn has some gorgeous, atmospheric, fairytale-esque writing. The book is split into two major components—the first, a fashion design competition, and the second, what is essentially a road trip quest to gather items from a prophecy. I would have preferred the book to focus on one or the other, especially given how the relationship between Maia and Edan so drastically shifts between these two sections. That said, I definitely enjoyed each of these story components—I just wanted more of one or the other.
There is a plot element with harmful implications about disability (Maia's comments about her brother's leg injury and subsequent use of his limp as part of her disguise).
There is a plot element with harmful implications about disability (Maia's comments about her brother's leg injury and subsequent use of his limp as part of her disguise).
I'm late to the Elizabeth Lim party and now I'm going back to read all of her fantasy novels. This is a wonderful mix of Asian fairy tale-ish culture with a genie-like hot man to stir up the blood. Maia has to dress like a boy to try to win the all important contract with the emperor as a tailor, but the competition is tough. Luckily she is given magic scissors from her father before she leaves since magic suddenly seems to be everywhere and she needs all the help she can get.
I liked this, but toward the end it started leaning a bit heavily on tropes that aren't my favorite. Overall a fast enjoyable read.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
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