Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 06/01/2019 Gr 7 Up—When a royal messenger comes calling, Maia Tamarin uproots her life as a seamstress to take her father's place at the Summer Palace. Posing as her brother, Maia competes for the title of imperial tailor, amid schemes, lies, and one very persistent court enchanter, Edan. Her final test as a tailor launches her on a journey across the kingdom to create three legendary dresses out of the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. However, completing this task means testing the limits of body, mind, and soul—something Maia may not be ready for. This immersive Chinese-inspired fantasy is a great debut novel. Maia's country of A'landi is rich with detail, from its Five Winters War to its expansive Great Spice Road. The quick-moving plot at the beginning of the novel gives way to a more intricate and refined story line later on. Though the delightful romance between Maia and Edan comes across initially as forced, it's given room to develop as they traverse the kingdom for Maia's final tailor task. Maia is a powerful figure, though, as with many, it's through trust in herself that she discovers just how influential she can become. VERDICT An addictive magical adventure that's a strong purchase for library shelves.—Emily Walker, Lisle Library District, IL - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 06/01/2019 Seamstress Maia Tamarin has always dreamed of being a renowned tailor, but after the war took two of her brothers and returned the third without the use of his legs, she is struggling to cope with her new reality. When a messenger arrives on behalf of the emperor demanding her ailing father compete for the position of imperial tailor—or send his most skilled son in his stead—Maia accepts the invitation herself in disguise. After besting her competitors in several rounds of Project Runway-style challenges, Maia’s final task is one many have died endeavoring: she is to create three dresses, made from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of the stars. With the help of a pair of magic scissors and Edan, the emperor’s beguiling enchanter, Maia travels the kingdom gathering the mythic materials, battling demons, and evading mercenaries. Beautifully written with a can’t-wait-for-the-sequel ending, this breathtaking and fast-paced Silk-road inspired fantasy from the author of Mulan-retelling Reflection (2018) is sure to enchant readers beginning to end. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.