Challenge Corner discussion

This is a previously published edition of ISBN 9780525646990. An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here.

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.

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 Renée Ahdieh.

**This BOTM thread will be open until August 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

I listened to this over the weekend-will add more thoughts but I LOVED it!

Ch 1-10 (view spoiler)[ The book is so good so far! It's so heartbreaking about what happened to Maia's brothers. I'm so proud of Maia for going to compete, I hope she wins! I wish she would use the scissors though. Edan is great! I hope we get to see more of Lady Sarnai, her character is complex. (hide spoiler)]

Abt your Ch 1-10 thoughts

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So glad you're loving it! I remember feeling proud of her too and loving the Mulan vibes of her dressing up and pretending to be her brother. I'm surprised she doesn't want to use the scissors more too!

Excited to hear what else you think as you progress and learn more about Edan and Lady Sarnai (hide spoiler)]

62%
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I loved how as we got further we kept getting to know Edan I was sad to find out he is bound to the emperor. I thought it would be something like that though because earlier they were talking about how when the emperor was younger people didn't believe he would be a good ruler or something like that so obviously I knew Edan somehow was helping him to gain influence or changing the way he looked etc. My prediction was actually that Edan was the actual Emperor and no one knew that the emperor had this magic or something so he got a patsy. But, I'm glad my prediction is wrong but sad about him being bound to the emperor (hide spoiler)]

Finished!

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I definitely had that urgency to keep listening and I'm glad, I always love when that happens and I rate the book higher when that happens. Hope you enjoy it and anyone else who decides to join us! (hide spoiler)]

Do you want to read Book 2 after this and make it a BR?

I think I might actually dive back into this book.. if I have time to

Alaina wrote: "I think I might actually dive back into this book.. if I have time to"

It was so good omg!!!

Ruthie wrote: "Do you want to read Book 2 after this and make it a BR?"

Yes! That sounds great! I just ordered it, so hopefully I'll get it soon!

Meg wrote: "Ruthie wrote: "Do you want to read Book 2 after this and make it a BR?"

Yes! That sounds great! I just ordered it, so hopefully I'll get it soon!"

yayyyyyy! lmk when you're done with book 1 and we can request a thread for book 2

Ch 11-20 (view spoiler)[
I'm so happy that Maia got the job of the tailor!
Norbu is the worst- I can't believe that he actually got out of his death sentence and is out on the prowl. Maia and Edan need to watch out for him.
Lady Sarnai has disappointed me. I was hoping for more from her.
I hope to see more with Maia and Edan. His background is very intriguing. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 21-30 (view spoiler)[ I love the relationship between Maia and Edan. I feel so bad for Edan that he is basically a prisoner of the emperor. I have been rooting for him to be freed ever since I found out. The fight between the demon and Maia during chapter 30 was so intense- I was so worried when Maia was getting fooled, but I saw right past it. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 31-end (view spoiler)[ This was such a good book! The ending was good. I was glad that Maia was able to see her family again. I had been wondering what had happened to them. Overall, it was very good and I can't wait to read the next one! (hide spoiler)]

Starting this now!

Meg abt your Chapter 11-20 notes

(view spoiler)[
I know I was hoping for more from Lady Sarnai too (hide spoiler)]

Totally agree Meg about your notes abt the chapter 21-30 notes and the end notes

Should we set up a date for the next one or do you want to msg me once you get the book?

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[I always love the competition in this book. It's completely intense and when she goes into her manly voice I just laugh so hard. I mean Mulan's manly voice makes me giggle too so I guess that's a win-win for me. I'm also very surprised that the sorcerer knows who she is but I don't really like that the fiancé is so freaking picky either. We get it - you don't wanna marry the guy. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[I don't know if it works in her favor that people know she's a horrible liar just by looking at her face. I'm also not a fan of this mission impossible.. or is it possible?!?! Dun dun dun!! Also super jealous of all the food they are eating right now. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 21-30: (view spoiler)[I honestly really enjoy Edan and Maia being together and getting closer. I will riot if something tears them apart. I will not approve. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 31-Finish: (view spoiler)[dfjlasfjlkadflas I'm so happy that I dove back into this book. Mostly because I never read the sequel and now I can dive into it with zero regrets. I'm so happy we got learn more about the scissors and seeing them getting closer to one another. I have so many other questions revolving around Maia so I'm really excited to dive into the next one now. (hide spoiler)]

Ruthie wrote: "Totally agree Meg about your notes abt the chapter 21-30 notes and the end notes

Should we set up a date for the next one or do you want to msg me once you get the book?"

I'll message you when I get the book. It should be here sometime this week.

Meg wrote: "Ruthie wrote: "Totally agree Meg about your notes abt the chapter 21-30 notes and the end notes

Should we set up a date for the next one or do you want to msg me once you get the book?"

I'll mess..."


YAY thank you!

Alaina

(view spoiler)[

your notes--I always love the competition in this book. It's completely intense and when she goes into her manly voice I just laugh so hard. I mean Mulan's manly voice makes me giggle too so I guess that's a win-win for me. I'm also very surprised that the sorcerer knows who she is but I don't really like that the fiancé is so freaking picky either. We get it - you don't wanna marry the guy.--YES, super funny to hear the manly voice on the audiobook. Yes I was surprised the sorcerer knew as well !


your notes--I honestly really enjoy Edan and Maia being together and getting closer. I will riot if something tears them apart. I will not approve.-- I KNOW!!!! they are too cute

your notes--dfjlasfjlkadflas I'm so happy that I dove back into this book. Mostly because I never read the sequel and now I can dive into it with zero regrets. I'm so happy we got learn more about the scissors and seeing them getting closer to one another. I have so many other questions revolving around Maia so I'm really excited to dive into the next one now.--Yes! it's so good! We will have a BR for the next one soon (hide spoiler)]