I really enjoyed this. Fantasy, but in an Asian-inspired setting and while the "Project Runway meets Mulan" elevator pitch is present, it really only covers about the first third of the novel before launching on a quest to make impossible dresses of legend.

Things I liked: again, I'm refreshed by the increase in fantasy that's set in non-European inspired settings partly for the change in a conventional setting but also having that bit of familiarity when a character does something and I'm reminded of my ngin-ngin, etc. Spin the Dawn is clearly Chinese-inspired but the journey takes them through the silk road equivalent to deserts and the northern people have influence from the Steppes. I like Maia as a protagonist and she's driven by not just the need to prove herself as the best tailor in the land, but also to provide for the welfare/honor of her family. We actually spent time on the quest at hand and what was needed for each trial in detail rather than glossing over it, and I do feel like this story would be great for a visual adaptation whether on screen or in graphic novel form.

I am less sold on how rapid romance happens, especially between extraordinarily old supernatural things and teenagers (~eyes the SJM books and City of Brass that I also read this year~), and do wish we got more worldbuilding about how magic works. I'm intrigued by different nations/factions' perspectives on using magic and whether or not it's linked to demons (probably?)

One of the cover quotes compared this to Sarah J. Maas and truthfully as the first third actually showed the tailor competition and Maia is competent, I think this is a better book than either SJM series.

Looking forward to the sequel next summer! ( )

What a ride this book was! Spin the Dawn was just the magical adventure I needed, with its charming characters, adorable romance, whimsical magic, dangerous quests and Asian-inspired lore. This book basically has it all!

The story is essentially divided into two parts. In the first part, Maia disguises as a man to compete for the position of imperial tailor instead of her brother, both to fulfil her life-long dream of becoming the greatest tailor in the land and to help her poverty-stricken family. But the competition is fierce and her adversaries will stop at nothing to win the coveted position, and if Maia's secret were discovered it would mean certain death. The competition was so fun and easily one of my favourite sections in the novel. It really kept me on the edge of my seat as I never knew what to expect from these cutthroat tailors and from Lady Sernai, the emperor's bride-to-be who judges the competition.

It was over way too soon, as we moved into Part 2, which is a magical quest as Lady Sernai tasks Maia with sewing three gowns for her: one made from the laughter of the sun, one from the tears of the moon and one from the blood of the stars. Maia sets out to retrieve these with the help of Edan, the court enchanter, and a pair of magical scissors. Perils and challenges abound, and I am totally here for it! I'm not usually a fan of long, arduous quests as I tend to get quite bored with them, but this one managed to keep my attention nicely until the end. And that ending? I am not ok!! I need the second book ASAP and I do not have the second book yet, so that's a problem.

One of the things that definitely made me love this book so much was the beautiful writing. The author's world-building and descriptions are just fantastic and I could almost picture everything. This was especially great because this book is so visual, with all the descriptions of dresses, colours, embroideries, and the lush and gorgeous settings. I also really liked how deeply it dives into the world's culture and its complexities, flawlessly mixing epic fantasy with fairy tale elements.

And the characters... how can I even begin to talk about the characters? Maia and Edan, I loved these two so much! Their banter was just fantastic and often had me hopelessly grinning or straight up laughing and I ship them so hard! I found them both to be characterised so well independently from one another, and I took to them almost immediately. Some of the secondary characters didn't get a lot of air time, but they very well might in the second book. And Maia and Edan were alone on the road for a significant part of the book, so it does make sense!

A minor complaint I have is around the marketing for this: I saw it pitched as a Mulan retelling but, honestly, I don't really see it? I mean, the only resemblance to Mulan is Maia dresses up as a boy to answer the emperor's call in her father's and her brother's place, and that's about where that ends. This book is so much more than simply a Mulan retelling!

Overall, Spin the Dawn was a fantastic read and one I'll be gushing about for a long while yet. It weaves together danger, magic, humour, romance, and a complex, Asian-inspired world in a beautiful and intricate tapestry. One not to miss!

For more reviews, visit Book for Thought.

I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way. ( )

7/10 ( )

Love with all of me and I am eagerly counting the days for the sequel. Our leads are absolutely fantastic- Maia and Edan: you both are so brave, gorgeous and talented in your different fields. I want you to have all you ever wanted. ( )

Reasons to pick up the book:

- Unique story
- has a strong and determined female character who has her flaws but is ready to embrace them
- Projects strong family values and love
- unpredictable
- Adventurous
- has a happy ending with an intriguing cliffhanger

Cons:
- I would have liked a little more details onto the adventure itself
- The build up was too good but the adventure ended in a page or two
- Too many unanswered questions have me pacing for the next part of the series ( )