Book Review: Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Title: Spin the Dawn

Author: Elizabeth Lim

Series/Standalone: The Blood of Stars Series (Book #1)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Pages: 392

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Year Published: 2019

Format: Audiobook

"Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of an 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 twelve 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 Renee Adieh."

My Rating: 1.25/5

I was very disappointed in this read, I thought that the idea was intriguing but that the writing just didn't work for me. I didn't care about the characters or the plot. I wasn't interested in where we were going and didn't care enough about the consequences of this read. I did enjoy the sewing competition aspect more than the adventure aspect. It was just bland for me. I won't be continuing with the series. I hope that if you've read this it was exactly what you were looking for, it just wasn't for me and that's ok.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: Wonder by RJ Palacio

Title: Wonder
Author: R.J Palacio
Series/Standalone: Wonder Series (Book #1)
Genre: Middle Grade, Contemporary
Pages: 315
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Year Published: 2012
Format: Paperback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "I know I'm not an ordinary ten-year-old kid."

"'I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.'

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid- but his new classmates can't get past Auggie's extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Time bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie's point of view, but switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community's struggle with empathy, compassion and acceptance."

My Rating: 3.75/5

This book has touched a lot of people and made them think about their places in the world, as well as in other people's lives. I kind of knew what this story was about and some of the content matter, but I wasn't prepared for how brutal it got at some points. I enjoyed this story overall, I understand how it gained such traction and why so many middle schooler's read it. I just don't think it was for me 100% there were just some points that I thought could have been done better or actions could have been taken to tell more of his mother's story. That being said I enjoyed it and would recommend to anyone in middle school.  I'm excited to watch the movie adaptation as well. Anyone have a preference between the two?

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Reread Thoughts: Gemina by Jay Kristoff and Amy Kaufman

Title: Gemina
Authors: Jay Kristoff & Amy Kaufman
Series/Standalone: The Illuminae Files (Book #2)
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 659
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Year Published: 2016
Format: Hardcover Copy (Own it)
First Line: "...over seven hundred thousand employees across dozens of colonized worlds. Is it that difficult to believe?"

"Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna's social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain's pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy's most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one and a malfunction in the station's wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren't fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia- and possibly the known universe- is in their hands.

But relax. They've totally got this. They hope."

My Rating: 4.5/5

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this reread. I remember the first time I read this I wasn't thoroughly impressed by it and expected to enjoy it a bit less upon reread. Just for the reason that you would suspect. I know what is about to happen and the overall plot. I think that I actually teared up multiple times during this reread. I love the character and romance. I do look forward to finishing the trilogy! 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny