Spin the Dawn

The Blood of Stars, Book 1

By: Elizabeth Lim

Narrated by: Kim Mai Guest

"Looking for your next big YA fantasy series? We've got our eye on this stylist blockbuster." (Entertainment Weekly)

Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of 12 tailors vying for the job.

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.

Steeped in Chinese culture, sizzling with forbidden romance, and shimmering with magic, this young adult fantasy is pitch-perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Renée Ahdieh.

"Spin the Dawn is proof that casting a wider net not only gives us a fresh story that feels unlike everything else on the shelves beside it but also allows for richer and more nuanced storytelling." (NPR)

"All the cutthroat competition of a runway fashion reality show and the thrilling exploits of an epic quest...a stunning tapestry of adventure." (The Washington Post)

"What an amazing creation! Every time I thought I knew where it was going, I was wrong. This is a white-knuckle read." (Tamora Pierce, number-one New York Times best-selling author of Tempests and Slaughter)

©2019 Elizabeth Lim (P)2019 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Maia's perspective as a working tailor makes her world vibrant and full of sensory details that are sure to delight even the most jaded of fantasy readers." (NPR)

"Part Project Runway set during the Silk Road era, part epic adventure.... This will have broad appeal." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Beautifully written with a can’t-wait-for-the-sequel ending, this breathtaking and fast-paced Silk-road inspired fantasy from the author of Mulan-retelling Reflection (2018) is sure to enchant readers beginning to end." (Booklist)

"An addictive magical adventure." (SLJ)

"Spin the Dawn is pure magic. Romance, artistry, and deep enchantment." (Gregory Maguire, best-selling author of Wicked)

"A thrilling tale as rich as velvet and as exquisite as fine embroidery." (Heidi Heilig, author of The Girl from Everywhere)

Pleasantly surprised.

I was very unsure about this book when I got it, but it turned out to be better than I thought it would be. The only thing I really would like to wonder and think about is how fast the characters seemed to fall in love, when they could barely stand each other at the beginning of the book.

But the story line was great, the idea of the book is wonderful. And I am super sad the next book (if there is one..) isn't out because I really would die to know what happens next. This is a beautiful story and very much worth your credit. No regrets!

WONDERFUL FANTASY!

This is a wonderful magical adventure, and the narrators performance was perfect. It was really difficult for me to stop listening, so I could sleep, spend time with my family, or even eat, lol.
I usually listen to audio books while I sew, and create costumes for cosplay. Perhaps that's one of the reasons I truly enjoyed this tale, I'll be listening to it again.😃
Starla S Shadow

So torn

I went back and forth between adoring this book and wondering if I should just return it. I am glad that I stuck through, but don’t know if I’ll be getting the next one. I think my biggest problem with it was the romance. I’m not one usually for romance. When it pops up in all its cliche glory, there are usually eye rolls and additions to my DNF bookshelf. If I’m reading a book strictly because I need some romance in my life (like a rom com or feel good), then I’m all for it. I also enjoy a good slow-burn (like, super slow). This wasn’t insta-love, nor was it particularly slow burning. You could see it from the moment he stepped into the room, but it did take about halfway through for the nauseating moments to arise. The trials were interesting, but it definitely was more about the romance than the trials. That’s my opinion. I was hoping for more Mulan-style bad***ery, but the author was more descriptive of their domestic dalliances than the actual cool stuff. Others may disagree. Each one just felt like a small eternity to me.

Love it!!

I love everything about this book/audio!! I love it! From the story and to the narrator!

A Tale Spun with Words as Fine as Silk

This beautiful story is a rich tapestry of words and emotions that draw the reader into a fantastical realm of competition, quests, romance, and wonder. Elizabeth Lim's writing and Kim Mai Guest's narration weave magic. Not to be missed!

Would recommend

I didn’t like how the reader made the main guy sound so old lol but overall, story was good. I was entertained most of the time and would recommend this book.

I cried at the fact the book ended

You know that feeling of not wanting something to end? This is what this book made me feel. The characters, the story, down to the narrative, this book was so good. The main character is fully fleshed and actually has a personality, such a good one for a matter of fact that I was crying when she wasn’t. The best book, I cant wait to listen to the second.

wonderful

if you are looking for a book with magic, Ghost, demons, transformation, war, death, gods/ Goddesses, and trails, then this is for you.

WOW!!

Such a captivating story, so much action, twists and turns, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Would recommend to anyone who enjoys a thrilling, romantic and jaw-dropping read!

She spun the dawn and unraveled the dusk

What a magical beautiful story… I loved it so much, I’m glad I waited for the right mood because it’s a sweet story filled with ache, longing, love and magic, it’s sort of quite in narrative but very calming. I enjoyed it very much and loved Maia and Edan so much. I’m jumping to book two right away! I think that monk is the free enchanter.