As the name would suggest, this book is the darker twin to its predecessor. The stakes are even higher for Maia-- more than life or death and more than the fate of her country and its inhabitants. While her journey in the first book was hopeful, this is a battle against her own hopelessness. The changes in our heroine are stark indeed.

There's plenty or action right from the beginning, and a sense of dread percolates through everything. I was again impressed with the author's ability to conjure tone and atmosphere throughout, especially since it's such a different result from the first.

I really liked the dark turn it took and Maia’s character a lot more in this one. The magical elements were still there but in a more wicked and darker way, which I loved. The sewing part was my favourite element of Spin the Dawn and, although not as important in the sequel, it was still my favourite part. The fact that the scissors were used to destroy rather than create new beautiful things was such a clever and interesting way to keep them an important part of the story after all the sewing of the first book was done. I just loved the duality of the scissors.

I think Edan and Maia’s relationship is super cute and sweet. Their reunion was so wholesome, despite Maia’s struggles with her memories and identity.

Overall, it was a great ending to the duology! It’s a magical story about humble and simple characters with passions just as our own and I love that about these books.

Maia has done the impossible. She's won her place as the emperor's tailor, despite the fact that traditionally only men are allowed to hold the position. To do so, she had to travel the kingdom to collect three magical ingredients to make three magical dresses.  Along the way, Maia discovered she had a magical gift of her own, an ability to wield a pair of magical scissors that had been in her family for generations.  But most importantly, she discovered that Edan, a powerful magician aiding Maia in her quest - and the boy she had fallen in love with - had been magically bound for centuries to serve the throne. Maia found a way to break that bond, but the cost was accepting Edan's punishment for breaking his oath: Maia is becoming a demon. Now, Maia is struggling to resist the change and remain human just a few days longer to ensure that the royal wedding happens, thus bringing an end to the war that has already killed two of her brothers. But when events shatter all hopes of peace, Maia might have to turn to the darkness within her to protect the kingdom, sacrificing her humanity so that the ones she loves are spared.

UNRAVEL THE DUSK is a satisfying conclusion to the adventure begun in SPIN THE DAWN, even if it didn't manage to charm me as much as the first book.  UNRAVEL THE DUSK feels like it is broken into two completely different halves.  There are some high stakes, intriguing elements at the beginning of the tale as Maia tries her best to ensure that the wedding between the emperor and Lady Sarnai, daughter of the shansen (warlord) engaged in conflict with the kingdom, goes off smoothly so that the war will finally come to an end. But the pacing moved at lightning speed, rushing through some critical moments that I thought deserved more time.  Maia's struggle with her slow loss of humanity felt superficial, and to be fair, she is still mostly human at the beginning of the book.  Nonetheless, I wasn't emotionally invested in Maia's plight right off the bat, which left me struggling to connect with the story.

The other factor that made the book initially difficult to get into was that Edan, the dashing Lord Enchanter who Maia risked everything to free, was largely absent for the first half of the book. The chemistry and romance between Edan and Maia was a large part of why SPIN THE DAWN worked, and the absence of that pairing was definitely felt.  Once the two are reunited, however, the book takes a change for the better.

Eventually, however, the pace settles down as the story focuses on defeating the shansen and the magical forces he has called to his aid. Edan's in-person appearance well and truly marks a turning point for the book, and it becomes much stronger in the second half.  We get to spend time with Maia and Edan as Maia reckons with the cost this war might have on her personally.  Maia's struggle with her demon side becomes less abstract as she loses control of her mind and body.  The way the author writes these moments from Maia's POV do a wonderful job of conveying her growing anger and confusion as human memories slip away, and Maia's internal war to cling to what humanity she has left becomes much more real.

I would also be remiss if I didn't give a shout-out to Lady Sarnai, who really gets to come into her own in UNRAVEL THE DUSK.  In SPIN THE DAWN, Lady Sarnai was mostly relegated to the role of the cold-hearted bride-to-be who made unreasonable demands.  But as events unfold, we get to know Lady Sarnai and her history better, and she proves to be a calculating and accomplished warrior, unconcerned with being "likable" and instead focusing on surviving and winning.  Her large role in the second half of the book is yet another reason why I found myself enjoying the tale much more by that point.

UNRAVEL THE DUSK may rush its beginning, but it sticks the landing in the end.  There are some truly beautiful scenes, and I'm glad for the time I spent with this duology. With demonic fights and battles for the fate of the kingdom, it's an epic conclusion to a story that began with a young girl's dream to be the emperor's tailor.

So let me start by saying I didn’t realize this was a duology and that Unravel the Dusk was the end of the series when I went into it. I think having that knowledge would have changed my perspective a little in how the story played out, though not enough to really change my opinion. That said…

I didn’t like this book as much as Spin the Dawn.

There, I said it. The first book was one of my absolute favorites last year and I loved the combination of discovering oneself, magical questing, and romance. Unravel the Dusk was simply a different sort of book. Still very good, but much more focused on the struggles Maia must face as she undergoes changes both inside and out.

This story is much darker than I anticipated and it weighted on me as I read. Sure, I expected it wouldn’t be all sunshine and rainbows after the way Spin the Dawn ended, but it took it to another level. I found I wasn’t as keen to move to the next chapter, I was missing the lighthearted banter between Maia and Edan, the tension of whether or not she would reach her goal. And I honestly felt like there was so much going on that it was too much for a single book (again, I thought this was going to be a trilogy when I started with some of those plotlines carrying over into a final book).

I was out of breath, so to speak, by the halfway point and wished things had slowed down a bit. This book was all high tension, high stakes, but never let me breathe as a reader. It lacked the ups and downs that make a book truly engaging. There were times I wondered if this had once been two stories that were meshed together but some of the edges didn’t quite meet.

It was… rough, reading this book, especially coming right off a re-read of Spin the Dawn. Maia’s constant inward focus left for a story that felt sharp, harsh, a downward spiral with little to guide it back toward the light. And Edan, who I adored, was either absent or so lovestruck that his character seemed lost in his love for Maia.

I understand that characters need to develop and grow with each book but I felt Edan became a shell of what he was and Maia was so busy fighting for her humanity that it got the better of her. There was just something missing, that spark makes you feel like “yes, this is their story, this is all makes sense.”

And I still barely understand the magic and some of the world-building aspects. We get a bit more about demons and a bit more about the magic but I never understood some of the rules of the magic system, nor of the world for that matter. When something needed to happen, it just… did.

It was all a bit rushed and everything seemed to line up so perfectly for the end, which I still didn’t quite understand because I didn’t understand the rules of the magic system. It’s wishful thinking but I’d have loved to see Unravel the Dusk split into two books and some of those elements expanded on, the plot slowed down, and really give these characters the chance to grow that I don’t think they got here.

I just… I wanted to love this book so much. I pushed through it, waiting for it to pick up, for something to change, but I kept coming back to the same things and the whole experience left me mentally exhausted.

I can’t rave enough about Spin the Dawn and it held up just as well, if not better, after re-reading it. But, as much as it pains me to say it, I don’t think Unravel the Dusk lived up to it as a sequel. I love Lim’s writing so I will absolutely read her future books, but this just wasn’t a win for me.

(But I’ll add that I’m glad these characters got the ending they did. They deserve it. All of them.)

Maia did what was thought to be impossible: she sewed the three dresses of the sun, the moon and the stars — Amana’s magical dresses of legend. But that came with a steep price. And it’s only a matter of time before Maia loses everything dear to her. Her memories, her freedom, her humanity.

Despite all she has to lose Maia’s greatest concern is the future of the Kingdom she loves. A’landi is on the brink of war and has little hope of surviving an attack from the Shansen. When an attempt to unite the two kingdoms backfires, Maia knows that her new powers are what A’landi needs. All she has to do is save A’landi before her curse consumes her entirely.

So I started reading this at the wrong time. I was busy and didn’t have the time to give this book the attention it deserved, so I put it on hold. When I eventually could pick it up again I found it easier to be absorbed into the writing like I did with Spin the Dawn.

I love Elizabeth Lim’s descriptions and easy flow. While reading, I could clearly picture everything and I think this series would make a brilliant film adaptation. I sincerely hope the film rights for these books gets picked up. Nudge nudge. I’m looking at you Netflix! ??

In terms of pacing, this book is different to Spin the Dawn. The stakes were higher, and Maia is trying her best to cling to her humanity. I was terrified for her and just wanted my girl to be okay!

Maia and Ammi’s friendship was a welcomed addition. I love Ammi and I love how she stood by Maia side through everything.

Another person I came to really like was Lady Sarnai. I had almost lost hope that we wouldn’t learn more about Lady Sarnai, a character I’ve always been really curious about, but we did! Not as much as I’d like but at least we got more page time with her.

Because of Maia’s curse and the state of the nation, we didn’t get as much Edan-Maia time. Makes me sad but I still love these two dearly. There were still some cute moments that made me smile but mostly I was just concerned for how these two would make it out to the end unscathed.

I enjoyed learning more about the history of this fantasy world, every legend and story, every bit of Chinese culture that was stitched into this world — I loved it! This is what YA fantasy needs.

The ending was a little predictable, which isn’t a bad thing, it was a perfect conclusion to this duology.

« This e-ARC was provided by Random House and Knopf Books. All opinions are my own »

Unravel the Dusk deserves ALL the stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Elizabeth is so talented and she weaves such an amazing story. I loved Spin the Dawn, I was hooked from the first page. However Unravel the Dusk is my favorite of the two. Maia has grown so much since we first met her in Spin the Dawn. I seriously love this book so much! It is rich in Chinese culture, and features forbidden romance. I cannot recommend this series enough!

***** SPOILERS FOR BOTH SPIN THE DAWN AND UNRAVEL THE DUSK AHEAD****

Review posted on NetGalley, Edelweiss, and all other links in my profile 7/5 (except Amazon- will post 7/7).

Fully formatted review on Novellives.Com

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Unravel The Dusk By Elizabeth Lim

This section is your warning. It is the only section that will be spoiler-free. And by spoiler-free, I mean this BOTH BOOKS. I repeat This review will contain spoilers for both Spin the Dawn AND Unravel the Dusk THROUGHOUT the review. There was, in this rare instance, no way for me to separate the spoiler and put it at the bottom. It is too intertwined with my overall review. It would be too confusing a review for me to try and give a complete review of Elizabeth Lim's Spin the Dawn Duology without talking about Unravel the Dusk in full, throughout the review. So, once this section ends, I will put some space, and then there will be spoilers.

Unravel the Dusk did the one thing I asked of it. It went dark, with a quickness. If you thought this was a negative? I say nay-nay, not because I want less romance or dark books. It is a legitimate pushback. If you force the relationship between Edan and Maia, while keeping the tone from Spin the Dawn, Unravel the Dusk becomes a very unrealistic, inconsistent book. The mood will not align with Maia's character arc. It will not make sense at all.

Also, I want to thank Elizabeth Lim for being my very first interview during the first annual Summer Fling, just before Spin the Dawn released!

At the end of Spin the Dawn, you had to see the darkness coming. She is turning into a demon. Did you expect this to stay on a rainbow path of puppy dogs, rainbows, and playing footsie with Edan? That would make absolutely NO SENSE whatsoever. Lim would have to betray everything she set-up in Spin the Dawn. But she didn't. Unravel the Dusk is written precisely as it should be. It is dark, raw, and cruel because turning into a demon sucks. Sending the boy, you love away, and it tears you apart. None of this is pleasant, but Maia does what she has to do.

But then, in the end, one thing screwed it all up. So, stop reading now and excuse me while I break my own heart.

Elizabeth Lim Did Everything Right And Yet

Spoilers Abound!

You are now reading at your own risk. How does an author do everything right and yet manage to get it wrong? By doing one thing in the 34th chapter of a 35-chapter book. I would say it comes down to the post that featured on the landing page of my site, which I refer to quite a bit. Except, in this case, it goes beyond even that post. I say it goes beyond THAT post (relax, I'm getting there) because, as I stated in said post, as much as it angers me. I've yet to have it make me completely dislike a book.

UNTIL NOW. So yes, it goes even beyond

What Is Dead May Never Die - In Which The Grim Reaper Wants His Rep Back AKA- A Death Rant

I'm linking my death rant post because if I try to explain it, in this post. This post will cross a record length that no one needs so, as it is there if you need it. Towards the end of Chapter 34, Maia does go full demon as she should. There shouldn't be a get out of demon free card. This is the basis of the whole duology. Every choice and decision Maia has made throughout Unravel the Dusk has been based on this fact. So, as heartbreaking as it is, and should be, it needs to happen. And Lim deserves a standing ovation. If we didn't care about Maia and the all the characters in the duology, I wouldn't give one fuck buck about what happens to Maia, Lady Sarnai, Edan, or anyone else for that matter.

But here's the thing, because Elizabeth Lim is an incredible, brave, and brilliant writer, I did. I rooted for all of them. I cried for all of them, and I was destroyed by all of what they went through. My heart bled for them. And so, I ask you. Why, in the name of the literary world, would Lim undo all of that incredible writing? All of the torture she put readers through, that we ask writers to put us through, by giving Maia, A CHOICE?!

BE Brave STAY Brave

When Maia went full-fledged demon and died, that was even a little bit off-course. She was supposed to live her life as a demon and not remember anyone, as a guardian. However, she did destroy the islands. Lim wrote it well, both in the magic system and into the world-building. So, I can swallow that. When Maia ended-up dead, free, and reunited with her Mom, I felt good about it.

Unravel the Dusk had been incredibly dark, twisted, and dealt in dark magic. It wasn't a happy ending, by far. There was a lot of death in the end and heartbreak in the final battle scene. Letting Maia just die into peace was acceptable because it still wasn't a happy ending. I teared up when she reunited with her Mom and felt free, warm, and light for the first time since she made the deal to free Edan from his oath.

It was brave, courageous writing that wrapped-up a brilliant duology that started as a young, beautiful princess-like tale and grew-up to be a dark, teenage, twisted macabre. Then her Maia's Mom uttered the most utterly devastating words possible.

Your brothers and I pled your case, and Amana listened. She offers you a choice." Mama took a deep breath, and my heart hammered through the silence.

"To stay here with us, a tailor to the Gods." Mama's voice was hoarse. "Or go back, to be with Baba and Keton, and with your enchanter."

In those two lines, Lim took the entirety of her brave, brilliant work and literally unraveled it.

Lim writes it into Maia's character. She knows she has to pay the price, but she wouldn't change one choice she's made. And then, at the very end. When push comes to shove?

She doesn't have to pay for anything. And that undoes everything. When you take away the certainty of death, you take away consequence, drama, all the emotional build-up. It is all undone, and you feel cheated for being so invested, the entire book.

*And I ask that before you push back on all the exceptions to the above, you at least skim my rant because I'm aware and I went through them. However, if you still have some thoughts after reading my rant, please let me have it. I most definitely want to hear them.*

Summary and Wrap-Up

It is straightforward. Until I got to the end of Chapter 34, there wasn't one thing I would have changed about Unravel the Dusk. There wasn't one thing I would have changed about the Spin the Dawn duology. Elizabeth Lim did a spectacular job. I wasn't even sure I wanted to read Unravel the Dusk. I chose to because Spin the Dawn ended on a very dark, melancholy note. It was my hope that Unravel the Dusk would run with it. And it did.

The characters in Spin the Dawn, only get stronger in Unravel the Dusk. The world gets more vibrant, and the magic system continues to marvel. Lim crafts dialogue that ranges from beautiful to cut-throat in the blink of an eye. On the same note, her narrative knows no limits. As dark, grotesque, and foreboding as it gets, the action is crystal clear, bloody, and accurate to the warriors fighting.

Maia's inner dialogue as she wages war within herself is heartbreaking. There is no question about how hard she is fighting to hold onto herself and do right by everyone involved. Lady Sarnai's arc in Unravel the Dusk is ferocious. Love her, hate her or bounce back and forth. It is engrossing, either way.

There is so much to love about this duology. For me, it was a terrible shame that, in the end, it had to be undone by a lack of consequence that made everything invested feel wasted.

Actual Rating: 3.5 stars

Unravel the Dusk is a solid and action-packed ending to this magical duology with a setting inspired by ancient China. Maia may have returned from her quest victorious, but with a high cost that is slowly turning her into a demon. Her country is on the brink of war, the boy she loves is gone, and things get very complicated and very dangerous.

I think if you enjoy action-driven books and liked the first one, you will probably enjoy this. It does a good job of completing character arcs and offers a definite and satisfying ending. However, the journey to get there felt a little messy for me. While book 1 had a clear structure to the plot, this one did not and can feel a little all over the place. But if you can just go with it, you will end up with an ending that pulls together all of the threads we follow in the book. Because of that I liked but didn't love this one, but I'm glad I read it and think a lot of readers will fare better than I did. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Content warnings include violence, loss of a loved one, death, and blood magic.

This is the sequel/conclusion to the blood of stars duology. I absolutely loved Spin the Dawn and was so excited when I received this advanced copy and I was not disappointed! This was an epic sequel and the conclusion to the series was perfect! I love Maia and Edan they are just so beautiful together. There was quite a bit of angst in this book and I loved it! I think it was done really well. The writing was just so good and the characters were really well developed and all in all I just loved it. Spin the dawn will always be my favorite in the duology but unravel the dusk was a solid conclusion to the series.

*4.5

What a journey! I'm very picky with endings but I really liked how the author managed to conclude this duology.
I appreciated especially how she developed the demon transformation of the protagonist, it gets very dark at one point and not all writer can handle this well without making it 'too easy'. She found the perfect balance!

Another point goes to the writing, Elizabeth definitely knows how to do it. It's whimsical, magical and evocative. The moment I started, it was like returning home, you can recognize her style everwhere.

I wish I could write more but I usually find very hard to write a review for the last book in series because I'm always afraid to tell too much and ruin this magical experience. So I decided to leave here only my two highlights of my reading, enjoy!

I was super excited to receive this book but sadly it didn't live up to my expectations. The romance in this book was so flat. It didn't even seem like the male character was even the same guy as the first book. He was totally different. I loved seeing her fight to not become a demon and get to see them over throw the evil Lord but the plot just wasn't as good as the first book. I missed the magic and playful banter. This book still had magic but it felt different from the first book. Not a huge fan of how this book went but I loved the cover

I am so grateful to have been accepted for my first ever blog tour for Unravel the Dusk! The first book of Maia and Edan’s story, Spin the Dawn, is one of my favourite books of the year thus far. I was elated to have received an early copy of this highly anticipated sequel and let me tell you, it exceeded my expectations.

The heroine of the story, Maia Tamarin, goes through terrible challenges throughout this book but the reader can see how much she has grown despite all that has happened. She is one of those characters one can easily admire for her strength and courage.

Unravel the Dusk was a fast-paced, action-packed and heart-hammering read, and it is because of all those things that I flew through it. The story is easy to follow and it captured my attention the entire time. It was a book I read late into the night as I was not able to put it down. This book has a much darker atmosphere than the first one as it expands on the tough challenges Maia has to face and escalated the themes of the first book.

I also loved and appreciated the strength the female characters showed in this book. Maia, Ammi and Lady Sarnai are all inspiring in their own way as their stories encourage you to overcome difficult obstacles, follow your dreams and to show others just how powerful you can be.

Near the ending of the book, tears we streaming down my cheeks and my whole body was covered in goosebumps. It was so beautifully written and I could not have asked for a better ending. Spin the Dawn and Unravel the Dusk teaches you that you can overcome any obstacle with family and friends by your side, and that with love in your heart, you can chase away the darkest shadows and the coldest of nights.

*Many thank yous to the blog tour team, as well as the author, for providing me with an eARC!*

[Full review is also available on my blog, whiterosestories.com]

Thank you NetGalley for providing an e-ARC for an honest review.

I tried, I really did, but if a book has not captured your attention at the 60% mark, it is time to cut ties. It was a valiant effort, but I simply could not connect with the storyline of the final book of this duology. The first book, Spin the Dawn, was a delight and I was excited to conclude the journey, but sadly this book did not capture the magic of the first. At the 60% mark, Unravel the Dusk is still dominated by the refrain “still Maia, for now” and I could not muster any interest in her plight. The dilemma of succumbing to her burgeoning demon side was not compelling. Sprinkle that in with overly ornate language and a turgid plot, and you have yourself a literary disappointment. It is a shame really, because Elizabeth Lim’s writing is beautiful, replete with metaphors and similes that effectively deliver the reader to her sumptuous world. Despite her best efforts, however, she is unable to overcome her woefully deficient plotline. It is simply too insubstantial to stretch over 300 pages and should have been incorporated into the first book.

3.5 stars

As with the first book, Lim's writing is lyrical and lushly detailed; there's lots of East Asian mythology, expanding the worldbuilding I loved so much in Spin the Dawn with even more familiar stories. (No spoilers, but Unravel the Dusk prominently features another of my personal favorite Chinese folktales!) 

But to be entirely honest, I may have hyped this sequel up too much in my head, particularly because I was essentially expecting it to be much the same, maybe a bit darker. It picks up after Spin the Dawn, though the conflicts and stakes are quite different, which makes the plot structure quite different: rather than another quest with milestones, this was more of a will she/won't she gradual build. 

The narrative focus also shifts, with Maia and Edan separated — we see more of Maia's love for her family and her kingdom, which shows other sides to her character and leads to an interesting journey. (Not to say there's no romance in Unravel the Dusk, because there absolutely is!)

None of the above is inherently bad, of course, but it does mean that your feelings about Spin the Dawn may not be a great predictor for your feelings about Unravel the Dusk. So I guess you'll just have to read it yourself to find out. 😜

another magical adventure
This is the thrilling sequel to Spin the Dawn which was one of my favorite novels of 2019 and I was more than ready to dive back into Elizabeth Lim's beautifully descriptive writing as well as reunite with characters that I adore. Unravel the Dusk has the same high-stakes adventure that its predecessor has which kept me addicted and breathless the entire time through. There were moments where I had to stop because I was just worried about the characters - it truly made me realize how much I adored everyone.
As with the first novel, Unravel the Dusk is also broken into three parts and it's one of my personal favorite touches. Each part feels like a complete mini-story arc that blend seamlessly together for the larger novel. The development of the plot and characters was a gradual process but with each climactic moment, all the pieces fell into place.


for family and honor
One of my favorite aspects of this novel is the portrayal of friend and familial relationships. Like I mentioned before, I adore these characters and even the ones I didn't love hold a special place in my heart. Maia and Edan have made it onto my top fictional couples - despite their occasional disagreements, they're so supportive of each other and I was honestly so happy every time we got a scene with the two of them. Of course, I also adore Maia's relationship with her Baba and Keaton. Despite his age, her Baba still has a bit of sass that is honestly the best. There is also a particular scene with her family that just caused all the internal waterworks - I just love them all.
I also loved the friendship that developed between Maia and Ammi - we definitely need more amazing female friendships in YA and this is a great example! Another relationship that I was surprised by how much I loved was between Maia and Lady Sarai. Both are incredibly strong in their own way and while I wouldn't say they're friends, they have such a strong sense of duty and honor that their respect for each other was such a wonderful addition to the story. Lady Sarai definitely comes through and the exploration and development of her character are simply 👌👌.

the difficult sacrifices
I don't want to spend too much time on this because of spoilers, but this is another theme from the first book that carries over into the sequel. Maia's love for her family and country fuel her actions throughout the novel. Her character grows so much as she makes incredibly difficult decisions and struggles with losing herself in the process - she's a wonderful example where strength isn't limited to physical prowess but the dedication and fervor of one's heart.

Essentially, I adored this sequel and it definitely lived up to my expectations. 💕 💕

Unravel The Dusk is a beautiful finale to the Blood Of Stars duology. Our main character, Maia, showed a lot of integrity and courage throughout this book. Her character development, along with Sarnai's, was definitely the best journey that I as a reader have ever experienced. The writing style in this is beautiful, and the author brings this world alive in a way that kept me on my toes the entire time. I couldn't have wanted a better ending to these fantastic books. I highly recommend picking up the first book, Spin The Dawn, because you don't want to miss out on a series like this.

of the sun, moon and stars. Now she’s returned to the palace where a war is brewing, and she’s racing against time before she completes her transformation.

(Let’s just say it took me a while to get caught up on what happened in the first book because I’m a forgetful potato, but I got there eventually after wandering like a lost soul.)

After the mass cliffhanger in Spin the Dawn, I especially wanted to see what would happen to Maia. The majority of Unravel the Dusk is her battling two different types of power within her: the power within the dresses she sewed to become Imperial Tailor, and the demonic power growing. She’s in a constant battle to resist giving in and using more power and potentially tarnishing the power of the dresses with darkness. But what she also wants to do is find Edan, and protect her loved ones and country; she’s not afraid of doing what she needs to accomplish those goals, and we get to see this come to life as the story progresses.

Elizabeth Lim’s writing is just as beautiful as the first novel.
One of my favorite things from reading Lim’s past works is her writing style. The words flow so well together, and I’m just in love with how poetic and romantic they are; I can practically wrap myself in her writing and be comfortable in it. (The food mentioned in it made me hungry too.) I also liked how the sequel divides into three parts, each dedicated to the dresses as Maia learns how to utilize each power.

I am, however, a little disappointed with Unravel the Dusk.
I wanted to know more about Edan, considering how he was a mysterious character in Spin the Dawn. I loved his developing relationship with Maia and thoroughly enjoyed his appearance in the sequel, but unfortunately, he has very little screen time here. However, I still adore the two of them together! And I’m glad we get the chance to see Lady Sarnai once again; I love how she gets to shine a little here and takes no shit from anyone, much like when we first meet her back in Spin the Dawn.

I also think some parts in Unravel the Dusk were a little too easy for Maia; it just seemed convenient with her magic scissors and the powers she can access. While there are challenges for her near the end where there is more struggle, I did wish there were more of it earlier through the novel. Overall though, I enjoyed the sequel to Spin the Dawn, and I can’t wait to see what Elizabeth Lim comes up with next.

From start to finish, Unravel the Dusk is action-packed and fast-paced. Elizabeth Lim doesn't give you a second to catch your breath, and at no point did I even have the chance to stop and think, wow, I'm kind of bored. There was no room for that thanks to the sheer ANGST. Whereas Spin the Dawn is more of what I consider a coming-of-age, fantastical adventure, Unravel the Dusk manages to retain the magic while still focusing on Maia's descent into darkness as she gets closer and closer to becoming a demon.

While Spin the Dawn is obviously a love story, whether you consider it Maia and Edan's or Maia learning to love herself, so is Unravel the Dusk. Despite the fact that Maia's relationship with Edan is not the focal point of the sequel, it is still very much a love story, but this time, it is Maia's love for her country and her family that takes center stage. There are still extremely sweet and tender moments between Maia and Edan that made me fall in love with them all over again, but at its core, Unravel the Dusk is about Maia's quest to save her country and not lose herself in the process. Maia is quite literally dealing with her own demons, and that proves to be just as much of a struggle as defeating the shansen and saving A'landi. She has to rely on her internal strength, but she can't fight all of her battles alone. One of the things I truly loved about Unravel the Dusk is that Maia finally learns how to ask for help, and sometimes, she finds it in the most unexpected of places.

Read my full review here: https://loveyoshelf.com/2020/07/01/blog-tour-and-review-unravel-the-dusk-by-elizabeth-lim/

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

UNRAVEL THE DUSK

Magic was the blood of stars falling from the sky, the song of my enchanted scissors—eager to make a miracle out of thread and hope.

"A long time ago, a foolish girl was asked to weave the sun, embroider the moon, and paint the stars, three impossible tasks she did not believe she could accomplish."

UNRAVEL THE DUSK is a gorgeously composed sequel to a lush and enthralling YA fantasy. Readers will appreciate the world-building, beautiful characters, and nail-biting action.

Unravel the Dusk is a the gorgeously composed final installment in author Elizabeth Lim's The Blood of Stars duology.

Maia is a tailor who takes her brother’s position to disguise herself and competes in competition for a place as the imperial tailor. The demon Bandur touched her while gathering the necessary supplies to craft the goddess's three fabled dresses made of sunlight, moonlight and stars blood. She has freed the boy she loves, Edan from an oath, by becoming the guardian of Lapzur. The curse by demon Bandur is starting to effect her, and is slowly losing herself to darker forces as the transformation is taking hold of her.

“Seize the wind. Don’t become the kite that never flies”

An exceptional written Ya Fantasy, full of adventure and incredible character development. A book that drew me in and I was completely immersed within its pages. High stakes adventure will keep you on the edge of your seat. Vivid lush world building along, along with mythological legends makes this a stunning book

Two years ago, I pronounced Spin the Dawn as one of my favorite fantasy novels of 2019. I wish I could say the same of Unravel the Dusk. That’s not to say it’s not good or that I didn’t enjoy it. It just didn’t have the same spark for me as its predecessor.

I think what I’m missing, is exactly what Maia herself finds missing throughout her journey — creating something out of nothing. Her masterpieces practically jumped off the page. The whole creation process was fascinating.

This time around, instead of sitting next to Maia as she creates her masterpieces, you are next to her on the battlefield. Once again you follow her through stark landscapes. The world Lim has created is just as tangible. You feel the cold, you see the battles play out before you. Lim’s world-building is excellent.

As a pair, Spin the Dawn and Unravel the Dusk balance each other. The light and dark and everything in between settle into the words Lim has weaved throughout. They belong together.