The end delivers some genuine feels.Again, it's hard to judge a second book in a series when the first is SO GOOD. Things get really good at the climax, though, as the awesome elements come together again. The book has lots of action and adventure and reads at a fast clip, but with little sewing, and no Edan around til nearer the end. Without going into spoiler territory, I will say that Maia bears a nasty curse and is in danger of losing herself. That, and reading about sewing from such a magical angle.And the absence of those two things is a reason why Unravel the Dusk suffers, especially through the Edan-less first half. Of course, the enchanter becomes less unpleasant as the quest continues, and her blossoming romance with Edan is one of the delights of the book.

Court intrigues ensue, resulting in Maia being sent on a quest to obtain impossible dress materials, all in the company of a very unpleasant enchanter. In a Mulan-like move, when her war-injured brother is ordered to court to sew for the crown, Maia disguises herself as a man and takes his place. While Unravel the Dusk is not as strong a a book, it is still an enjoyable, fast read better than many out there.The premise of the first book is that Maia is a gifted tailor, something women should not be. Spin the Dawn was an incredibly fun, innovative take on familiar tales, wrapped up in a gorgeous Chinese-inspired setting. I received an advance copy via NetGalley.Lim set an incredibly high standard with the first book of her young adult duology. It's only a matter of time before Maia loses herself completely, and in the meantime she will stop at nothing to find Edan, protect her family, and bring lasting peace to her country. glancing in the mirror to see her own eyes glowing red losing control of her magic, her body, her mind. When the emperor's rivals learn of her deception, there is hell to pay, but the war raging around Maia is nothing compared to the battle within.Įver since she was touched by the demon Bandur, she has been changing. Edan, the boy she loves, is gone-perhaps forever-and no sooner does she set foot in the Autumn Palace than she is forced to don the dress of the sun and assume the place of the emperor's bride-to-be to keep the peace. She returns to a kingdom on the brink of war. Maia Tamarin's journey to sew the dresses of the sun, the moon, and the stars has taken a grievous toll. the stakes are higher than ever in this thrilling sequel to Spin the Dawn! From the New York Times bestselling author of Six Crimson Cranes comes a fantasy filled with courtly intrigue, deceitful demons, and breathtaking gowns.

Unravel the dusk