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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
first of all I am ANGRY because I thought this was a stand-alone and now I must WAIT and I am NOT OKAY with that.
this book is utter magic in so many ways. I love Maia, I love the fairy tale this is inspired by, and I love the world-building. I’m in awe of all of it. can’t wait for the next one.
this book is utter magic in so many ways. I love Maia, I love the fairy tale this is inspired by, and I love the world-building. I’m in awe of all of it. can’t wait for the next one.
adventurous
hopeful
fast-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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Maia Tamarin is the youngest and only daughter of a brilliant tailor on the fringes of the Great Spice Road. Her 3 older brothers have never been good at sewing whereas she has a natural gift for it. However, in this patriarchal kingdom, she cannot become a Master tailor and take over her father’s shop. Her best hope is to marry well.
One day, a royal messenger summons her ailing father to court to compete for the coveted position of imperial tailor. She chooses to disguise herself as her brother who has been badly injured by the war and compete in their place. If her ruse is discovered, her life will be forfeit. If she wins, she might achieve her lifelong dream of being the greatest tailor in the land.
Nothing could have prepared her for the challenge ahead. To sew the 3 magic gowns of legend for the emperor’s bride-to-be. One from the laughter of the sun, one from the tears of the moon, and one from the blood of stars. She sets off on a dangerous journey to collect these materials accompanied by the mysterious court enchanter who is the first to see through her disguise and takes great pleasure in teasing her.
Will she survive this journey and see her dreams come true?
Honestly, Elizabeth Lim is quite quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. This book gave me massive Mulan vibes (my absolutely favourite fairytale) but it still manages to be completely unique and creative. The descriptions are so beautiful and detailed and I love the adventure. The little connections to The Six Crimson Cranes makes me so curious to read the next one to see how it ties in too! Can’t wait to start the sequel!
One day, a royal messenger summons her ailing father to court to compete for the coveted position of imperial tailor. She chooses to disguise herself as her brother who has been badly injured by the war and compete in their place. If her ruse is discovered, her life will be forfeit. If she wins, she might achieve her lifelong dream of being the greatest tailor in the land.
Nothing could have prepared her for the challenge ahead. To sew the 3 magic gowns of legend for the emperor’s bride-to-be. One from the laughter of the sun, one from the tears of the moon, and one from the blood of stars. She sets off on a dangerous journey to collect these materials accompanied by the mysterious court enchanter who is the first to see through her disguise and takes great pleasure in teasing her.
Will she survive this journey and see her dreams come true?
Honestly, Elizabeth Lim is quite quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. This book gave me massive Mulan vibes (my absolutely favourite fairytale) but it still manages to be completely unique and creative. The descriptions are so beautiful and detailed and I love the adventure. The little connections to The Six Crimson Cranes makes me so curious to read the next one to see how it ties in too! Can’t wait to start the sequel!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
relaxing
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
WHAT A BOOK. Will be reviewing this on my blog in full soon as part of the Spin The Dawn blog tour in July, but here are some things I can tell you right now:
• I. loved. Maia. so much. Strong, female-led diverse fantasies are here to stay. I'm declaring it. I will never have to read another book featuring a grapefruit of a white male MC of my own volition ever again.
• The world-building in this!!! was so good!! I feel like descriptions in fantasy novels tend to make my eyes glaze over sometimes, but most of the book felt really grounded in details that you would like... actually notice. As a human being. With physical senses.
• I care way too much about the two main characters. I'm trying so hard not to spoil anything, but thank GOD this isn't a standalone book, my poor heart
• I LOVED THE MAGIC IN THIS
Okay I think I'll stop here before I get TOO DEEP into review-plot-bunnies JUST READ THE BOOK WHEN IT COMES OUT IN JULY OKAY BYEEEEE
Digital review copy provided by the publisher and author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! My very first ARCthat I actually finished!
• I. loved. Maia. so much. Strong, female-led diverse fantasies are here to stay. I'm declaring it. I will never have to read another book featuring a grapefruit of a white male MC of my own volition ever again.
• The world-building in this!!! was so good!! I feel like descriptions in fantasy novels tend to make my eyes glaze over sometimes, but most of the book felt really grounded in details that you would like... actually notice. As a human being. With physical senses.
• I care way too much about the two main characters. I'm trying so hard not to spoil anything, but thank GOD this isn't a standalone book, my poor heart
• I LOVED THE MAGIC IN THIS
Okay I think I'll stop here before I get TOO DEEP into review-plot-bunnies JUST READ THE BOOK WHEN IT COMES OUT IN JULY OKAY BYEEEEE
Digital review copy provided by the publisher and author via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! My very first ARC
Genuinely great to see a fantasy series where the protagonist’s skills and conflicts aren’t solely about ability to inflict violence. Combined with a less despair inducing tone than most similar recent books, that made this a fun easy read.
The tag line of “Project Runway plus Mulan” is unfortunately a bit misleading, however. Only the first quarter of the book is really about clothes making and design, something that’s as unique and I wish featured more heavily. The rest of the novel was a serviceable quest narrative, with some fun challenges for the main character.
On the less good side, the romance went from predictable yet cute to a bit melodramatic by the last third of the novel, which was a bummer. This portion also really did not know how to present fashion/clothing/tailoring related challenges for the protagonist, and fell back into pretty ordinary fantasy fare.
Like many books marketed as East Asian fantasy, this also is mostly Euro-American fantasy tropes in Chinese clothes (no pun intended). The world building hits all the same marks with magic inherited by accident of birth, strict division between holy men and sorcerers, a mostly European-style court culture, pantheon-style gods, and the magic system in general. There’s nothing wrong with these tropes, or using them in a China-inspired setting, but good to know before you read if you are looking for something different.
Overall however this book was solid and a good amount of fun, with a quest that reminded most of the Hobbit or the Legend of Zelda series. I’m very much looking forward to the sequel and hope this author makes some good money
The tag line of “Project Runway plus Mulan” is unfortunately a bit misleading, however. Only the first quarter of the book is really about clothes making and design, something that’s as unique and I wish featured more heavily. The rest of the novel was a serviceable quest narrative, with some fun challenges for the main character.
On the less good side, the romance went from predictable yet cute to a bit melodramatic by the last third of the novel, which was a bummer. This portion also really did not know how to present fashion/clothing/tailoring related challenges for the protagonist, and fell back into pretty ordinary fantasy fare.
Like many books marketed as East Asian fantasy, this also is mostly Euro-American fantasy tropes in Chinese clothes (no pun intended). The world building hits all the same marks with magic inherited by accident of birth, strict division between holy men and sorcerers, a mostly European-style court culture, pantheon-style gods, and the magic system in general. There’s nothing wrong with these tropes, or using them in a China-inspired setting, but good to know before you read if you are looking for something different.
Overall however this book was solid and a good amount of fun, with a quest that reminded most of the Hobbit or the Legend of Zelda series. I’m very much looking forward to the sequel and hope this author makes some good money
The first part, of the competition at the palace was really captivating, but unfortunately, I wasn't as interested in the latter journey portion of the novel. The pacing felt like it changed, and I wasn't a fan of the romance that became more prominent in that portion. Oh well, it had potential, and I really enjoyed the premise.
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!