The Thread of Destiny picks up where Aimee Lim’s debut left off, sending Evie Mei Huang from the underworld back into an equally chaotic reality—one filled with escaped monsters, mysterious fog, and an ever-growing tangle of responsibilities. While this sequel didn’t quite match the emotional depth or pacing of the first book, it still delivered plenty of heart and high-stakes adventure.

Evie’s new role as head of the Weavers Guild brings a fresh layer of tension and maturity to her journey. Spinning people’s fates isn’t exactly easy work, especially for a twelve-year-old trying to hold together friendships, family, and an entire city on the brink of magical disaster. The stakes remain high, and the threats—both supernatural and emotional—feel real.

The book’s strengths lie in its worldbuilding and mythology. Dìyù’s influence still lingers, and the eerie yellow fog and creepy monsters add a spooky, suspenseful vibe. Kevin and Evie’s strained friendship adds some nice emotional weight, even if it doesn’t quite get the same level of development as in book one.

Although the pacing felt uneven at times and certain plotlines felt a bit overstuffed, I appreciated Evie’s continued growth and the imaginative threats she faces. It’s a solid follow-up that lays the groundwork for more to come, even if it didn’t quite hit the same highs as the first installment. Fans of the series will enjoy returning to this world—and likely cheer for Evie as she threads her own path forward.

2.5 ⭐

This book was pretty underwhelming. Evie is such an unlikable main character that it’s hard to root for anything she does, especially since most of her goals come off as self-serving and inconsiderate of other people’s feelings. The side characters felt really underdeveloped, and since we’re stuck in Evie’s POV the entire time, they stay pretty flat throughout. Overall, it just didn’t leave much of an impact.

Aimee Lim's debut THE SPINDLE OF FATE was an absolute delight. Its sequel THE THREAD OF DESTINY takes place two weeks after the previous book ends, but it can definitely be read on its own.

Evie Mei Huang is still reeling from the death of her mother, her trip to the Chinese underworld of Dìyù to try to rescue her, and the revelation that Evie must now succeed her mother as the head of the Weavers Guild. She's also burdened with a secret mission of revenge against her mother's killer - who is about to marry her very pregnant, extremely glamorous aunt - but that may have to wait as a host of demons has escaped Dìyù along with Evie herself. Plus she has all of the usual problems a twelve-year-old must face: making new friends, keeping old ones, and getting her field trip permission slip signed.

It's almost unfair to judge THREAD against SPINDLE, a spectacular debut with deft worldbuilding based on Chinese mythology. The follow-up is not as expansive or cohesive as its predecessor, but it's still a fun and exciting read. Lim's demon creations are memorable. But making even more of an impression is Evie, whose morality always shines through no matter the struggle. Written with an engaging voice and frequently as funny as it is scary.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the review copy.

The Thread of Destiny picks up two weeks after The Spindle of Fate, so be sure to grab that one first. You won't regret it.

Finding the truth about her mother's death has only made Evie's life more complicated - and her very pregnant aunt is about to be married! Only adding to the complications, Evie's journey into Hell has unforeseen consequences, both for herself and the world.

We see a number of familiar faces from the first book and friendships can be just as complicated - and as necessary - as family. Aimee Lim touches on all these relationships with care and depth, giving readers a complex view into grief, family promises, and friendship. Knowing what the right thing to do is difficult, but with care and being true to herself, Evie finds the path.

Excellent worldbuilding without overpowering the characters or the theme. Highly recommended for those who enjoy magical realism, diverse fantasy, and characters at that difficult stage between childhood and becoming a teenager.

The Thread of Destiny by Aimee Lim was a delightful and quick read full of adventure and heart! The voice is genuine and, despite the high stakes of Evie needing to save her aunt from marrying a murder and sewing up a hellhole, Lim masterfully weaves moments of levity throughout. Plenty of adventure while also highlighting the many tricky dynamics of friendship, responsibility, promises, and parent-child relationships.