Tag: daughter of the moon goddess

Book Review: Heart of the Sun Warrior (The Celestial Kingdom Duology #2) by Sue Lynn Tan

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy + Romance
Length: 480 pages
Author: Sue Lynn Tan
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: November 15th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

After her perilous quest to free her mother, Xingyin thrives once more in the tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a treacherous confrontation.

Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation–to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love… even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.

The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin–the daughter of Chang’e and the mortal archer, Houyi–as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope.

NEW FAVORITE DUOLOGY ALERT.

Not me going from “this book will be thrown across the room if what I think is happening happens” to crying while hugging this beautiful book that broke my soul and mended it.

THIS WAS INCREDIBLE. MAGNIFICENT. Sue Lynn Tan has cemented herself in my auto-buy column after this read. I never wanted to put it down. I love the writing and pacing style that keeps things moving (slow and fast) while adding in the soft and action with ease.

Xingyin is one of the best female protagonists I’ve read in awhile. She is strong, capable and full of self reflection. I love that she can make mistakes, apologize, and hold her ground all in the same story. Complex characters are my lifeblood and Xingyin is someone I would desperately love to have on my side.

THE ROMANCE THOUGH. I want to keep this paragraph pretty vague because spoilers will ruin this for y’all. But I will say, it went different than I expected, but still gave me everything I hoped for when I started reading HOFSW. I don’t think [hope] you’ll be disappointed either. BECAUSE IT BROUGHT ON ALL THE TEARS.

I felt every emotion. Enjoyed every page. And was blissfully satisfied with this conclusion.

I love this book y’all. READ IT PLEASE. THANK ME LATER.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: med-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one, battle themes, physical and magical altercations, loss of life

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph

Book Review: Daughter of the Moon Goddess (The Celestial Kingdom Duology #1) by Sue Lynn Tan

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 512 pages
Author: Sue Lynn Tan
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: January 11th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of Chang’e, the Chinese moon goddess, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm.

Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.

Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor’s son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.

To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess begins an enchanting, romantic duology which weaves ancient Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of immortals and magic—where love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.

ALL THE STARS.

I can’t believe this book wasn’t on my radar until I read it for a book club.

HOLY COW IT WAS AMAAAAAAAZING. WHAT A DEBUT.

I LOVED the character growth that Xingyin exhibited. From the beginning until the end she grew in strength, resilience, listening to her soul to make the next right move. I couldn’t get enough. Xingyin is fantastic and the kind of fantasy heroine I want to always read about.

The ROMANCE. I ENJOYED A LOVE TRIANGLE?! Who am I? This is a testament to the author’s writing abilities because this was accomplished beautifully. The push and pull of young love, new love, and all kinds of love in between. Many quotable moments. Many swoony moments. And moments of pure shock and betrayal. Here for it always.

Everything flowed flawlessly. I didn’t want to stop reading because each chapter kept the right pace for the overall story. I loved the action (and subsequent recovery) scenes. And it even ends just right. No dramatic cliffhanger. Xingyin gets her answers and there’s the small sliver left open for more stories in this realm.

GIVE ME THE SEQUEL.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy + Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: some blood/gore
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, torture, possession and mind control

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph