Spin the Dawn

By Elizabeth Lim,

Book cover of Spin the Dawn

Book description

Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping fantasy about a teenage 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. And don’t miss Elizabeth Lim’s new…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked Spin the Dawn as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

A tailor Mulan? Sign me up!

This book is pitched as Mulan meets Project Runway, but it’s so much more than that. 

The beautiful writing style adds to the fairytale feeling of the story. Based on a mixture of the folklore of East Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, the vibrant world sets a perfect backdrop for the main character’s adventure.

The story is enriched by an incredible journey to the sun, moon, and stars, and a heart-throbbing romance. Not to mention stunning dresses created by a gifted tailor with her magical scissors!

As an avid fan of Mulan, I really enjoyed this book because of the strong-willed female character who is determined to support her family even though she lives in a society that doesn’t necessarily support a female head for a household. What sold me on the book, aside from the rich Chinese culture and mythology, was the character’s narration. I was able to empathize with her. Liz did a great job of making the magic come to life, making the scissors sound enchanting with every use. I wish I had a pair of those scissors! Another thing that drew…

If you love Spin the Dawn...

Ad

Book cover of Always Orchid

Always Orchid By Carol Van Den Hende,

Always Orchid is the moving, award-winning finale to the Goodbye Orchid series that Glamour Magazine called "a modern, important take on the power of love." With themes of identity, disability, and the redemptive power of love, Always Orchid is perfect for fans of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle…

Want books like Spin the Dawn?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Spin the Dawn.

Browse books like Spin the Dawn

Book cover of The Mountains Sing
Book cover of The Ones We're Meant to Find
Book cover of Iron Widow

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,593

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like Spin the Dawn, you might also like...

Book cover of The Rosewood Penny

The Rosewood Penny By J.S. Fields,

The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction. 

On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band, they rob the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive pegasus. Thanks to Marani’s mysterious invulnerability,…

Book cover of The Woodland Stranger: A Fairy Tale with Benefits

The Woodland Stranger By Jane Buehler,

Burne’s been hiding out in the forest since deserting the King’s Guard. Each time he tries to return to the village, he begins to panic. And then one day, he encounters a handsome stranger picking flowers and hides behind a tree instead of talking.

He wants to be braver—and he’s…

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Chinese culture, Asian Americans, and folklore?

Chinese Culture 9 books
Asian Americans 29 books
Folklore 381 books