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shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Torture, Death, Death of parent, and War
elaineyh1216's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Having grown up listening to and reading Chinese folk tales and watching Chinese fantasy dramas, this book was right up my alley. The original folk tale of Chang'e and Houyi was familiar to me, and I really enjoyed this reimagining and extension of the story. Xingyin, the titular Daughter of the Moon Goddess, is a relateably flawed heroine. She's impulsive, hot-headed, and passionate, a combination of characteristics which frequently gets her into trouble. But she's also able to reflect and acknowledge her mistakes and correct course as needed.
Sue Lynn Tan's writing style is lyrical with longer descriptive passages than most modern novels I've read. For readers who don't like long descriptions, this book is probably not for you. I personally really enjoyed the beautiful lyricity of the writing and the exquisite descriptions. The world building, fighting, and magic system reminded me of some of the Chinese historical/fantasy dramas I've watched recently, so they were familiar to me. Like classic Chinese novels and dramas, the plot is more episodic. While Xingyin's ultimate goal,freeing her mother from her imprisonment by the Celestial Emperor , is always on her (and the reader's) mind, the story follows a tight series of adventures that are linked and ultimately leads to a final climax.
There is a love triangle (rectangle?) in the story. While I'm normally not a fan of love triangles, this one was written well in my opinion. I like both romantic interests as characters, and we do get to know both guys pretty well. The romantic plot is really left a bit open-ended at the end of the book, so I'm wondering if it will be resolved in the sequel.
I do think that the plot does drag a little bit at some points of the book, but that's because there's so much happening that any lull between the adventures felt slow. There were some really extensive internal monologues that got a bit repetetive. Like many other reviewers said, I think this book could be a tad shorter. But overall, I really enjoyed Daughter of the Moon Goddess, and I look forward to continuing the adventure with Xingyin in Heart of the Sun Warrior.
Sue Lynn Tan's writing style is lyrical with longer descriptive passages than most modern novels I've read. For readers who don't like long descriptions, this book is probably not for you. I personally really enjoyed the beautiful lyricity of the writing and the exquisite descriptions. The world building, fighting, and magic system reminded me of some of the Chinese historical/fantasy dramas I've watched recently, so they were familiar to me. Like classic Chinese novels and dramas, the plot is more episodic. While Xingyin's ultimate goal,
There is a love triangle (rectangle?) in the story. While I'm normally not a fan of love triangles, this one was written well in my opinion. I like both romantic interests as characters, and we do get to know both guys pretty well. The romantic plot is really left a bit open-ended at the end of the book, so I'm wondering if it will be resolved in the sequel.
I do think that the plot does drag a little bit at some points of the book, but that's because there's so much happening that any lull between the adventures felt slow. There were some really extensive internal monologues that got a bit repetetive. Like many other reviewers said, I think this book could be a tad shorter. But overall, I really enjoyed Daughter of the Moon Goddess, and I look forward to continuing the adventure with Xingyin in Heart of the Sun Warrior.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Blood, Torture, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual assault
jayisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
4.0
This book got a little tiring as it progressed, partially because of the love triangle that I found a bit boring and predictable, but it was also because I found the protagonist, Xingyin, somewhat exhausting to deal with due to her incredible naïveté. There was something left to be desired in her character development (as well as others, to be honest), and I felt that Tan could have gone more into worldbuilding than she did. (Though, perhaps this is addressed further in the second book of this duology.)
And yet, I found myself making my way through this book rather quickly because I enjoyed how wonderfully Tan described the world this book takes place in, drawing out all the senses. In addition, I really enjoyed how it is grounded in the xianxia genre. It’s one I’m not entirely familiar with, but it’s so refreshing when so much of fantasy is Eurocentric.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping and Confinement
modernmatilda's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Wow! I don't read a lot of long fantasy books, but this one blew me away and I'm so glad I read it. The audiobook narrator is amazing, the writing is stunning, the fierce female protagonist is amazing, and there are dragons!!
Definitely one of those emotional damage kinds of books, but in the best way. So glad my book club read this book.
Definitely one of those emotional damage kinds of books, but in the best way. So glad my book club read this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Death, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexism
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Murder, War, Blood, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Torture
maregred's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, War, Blood, Death of parent, Grief, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Violence
solarel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
At the end of part 2 I was ready to say this fell in a 2 star range. The main character reads like a YA heroine, quick to swoon and quicker to anger. Her perspective was repetitive, and this grew very little as the book went on. She stars out angry about her mother and her own honor disrespected, and she ends that way too.
I loved the world, though. It was fun and I found it immersive. It felt rich and saturated, though at times repetitive.
What bumped it up to 3 stars for me was a twist that I had misread the signs for as overused tropes. I was delighted about this turn in the plot and it was a lot of fun to see it play out.
Overall I think this book is very charming and worth a read. Parts of the plot felt like they floated by without enough weight, and others felt as if they were drawn out far too long. I’m looking forward to the second one.
I loved the world, though. It was fun and I found it immersive. It felt rich and saturated, though at times repetitive.
What bumped it up to 3 stars for me was a twist that I had misread the signs for as overused tropes. I was delighted about this turn in the plot and it was a lot of fun to see it play out.
Overall I think this book is very charming and worth a read. Parts of the plot felt like they floated by without enough weight, and others felt as if they were drawn out far too long. I’m looking forward to the second one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Classism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Violence, War, Xenophobia, Murder, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity
ong's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Reading this feels like reading poetry. How Sue Lynn Tan describes everything is just 100/10 spectacular beautiful amazing stunning. As one of chinese descent, it’s nice to finally read a fantasy book with familiar lores. From the tales to the food, the dresses and action scenes which I can easily picture in my head from years of watching asian dramas, my heart was filled with warmth the entire time.
Now onto the characters. Xingyin. Our 小星。At first so untouched by the realities of the cruel world out there, now a warrior, survivor, savior and more. Very in theme too that she was never shown what healthy love & relationships looks like so when she was thrown in a ‘love triangle’ she couldn’t made up her mind ever and felt unworthy.
Liwei. What can I say. 10/10 best of all of us.
Fuck people in power by the way.
Now onto the characters. Xingyin. Our 小星。At first so untouched by the realities of the cruel world out there, now a warrior, survivor, savior and more. Very in theme too that she was never shown what healthy love & relationships looks like so when she was thrown in a ‘love triangle’ she couldn’t made up her mind ever and felt unworthy.
Liwei. What can I say. 10/10 best of all of us.
Fuck people in power by the way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, and Death
Moderate: Gaslighting, Bullying, and Violence
Minor: Classism, War, Murder, Alcohol, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Kidnapping, Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, and Torture
kaimetcalfe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, War, Grief, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, and Infidelity
internationalreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, War, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief