Disguising herself as a boy to compete for the position of imperial tailor, Maia must somehow complete the impossible task of sewing three magic gowns for the emperor's bride-to-be from the sun's laughter, the moon's tears, and the blood of stars.

As a girl, Maia Tamarin's dreams of becoming a tailor are hopeless. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. Her life will be forfeit if her secret is discovered, and Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job. As the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill, Maia draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise. The final challenge: 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. -- adapted from jacket