Even though his brows rise once or twice as I tell him everything- of the three impossible tasks I was given, of the demon and ghosts I encountered on my journey, and of the enchantment that surrounded our emperor- my brother believes me.īaba, my father, does not. My brother Keton knows this better than anyone. I have never had a talent for spinning tales. Yet ask me to tell a lie, and I will stumble and falter to think of one. Maas or Renée AhdiehĪsk me to spin the finest yarn or thread, and I can do it faster than any man- even with my eyes closed.

Steeped in Chinese culture, sizzling with forbidden romance, and shimmering with magic, this young adult fantasy is pitch-perfect for fans of Sarah J. 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. 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.Īnd 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. There’s just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.īackstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. 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. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. 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. Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA 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.

Spin the dawn goodreads