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calicat42's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Terminal illness, Abandonment, Child death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
leweylibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Truly, I wish I could give it more stars. I really enjoyed the first book. It was the first book in a long time that I really felt like I could lose myself in. It's the establishment of this wonderful fantasy world and characters that I didn't want to put down in a way that I haven't really felt since high school. But this book, THIS BOOK, was all of that and so much more.
First off, I want to get some ending spoilers out of my brain:I am so freaking glad that this duology ended the way that it did. I felt like I was the main character going along and having this love triangle battle going on in my head as well and thinking and feeling the same way that she did about these two guys. When she realized the sacrifice that Wenzhi made in order to help her, I was making the realization at the exact same time and it crushed me. It really took him doing that for her to see not only how much he loved her and how much he had changed from when he betrayed her but for her to also see just how deeply she felt about him. I was also really glad that when he did die she didn't just go off with Liwei either because not only did it not feel right because it just made him seem like the second choice after she realized just how strongly she felt about Wenzhi but I also agree that I don't think she would have been happy as the new empress. I'm glad that she got the chance to go off and explore little, and don't even get me started on how beautiful it was that her going back to the cloud wall and sensing. Sensing his presents is what gave him strength in order to allow him to be sent to the mortal realm by Liwei which is where she cannot only have him back as an immortal eventually, but they also get a fresh start in a way. Of course there might be issues later on when he does get his memories and everything back, but for now they can kind of see what it would have been like had they just been too normal. People who hadn't been raised the way they had been raised and he hadn't done something terrible like betray her in that way. Seriously, This was such a perfect way to end this duology. I wouldn't change thing. No notes.
A lot of the things that I said about the first book also apply to this one in terms of a review. I think that the love triangle is definitely more present in this one, but, like I said for the first one, it really doesn't detract from the story. It feels mature and it makes sense and it doesn't seem petty or silly or anything like that. There's lots of action and twists and surprising things that whenever it started to feel like maybe there was a lull forming, bam! Something would happen that would make me literally sit up in my seat and be like "excuse me what??" There was also more at stake in this one, and there were bigger losses which hurt but definitely added to the story. There were a lot more places where I noted quotes that stuck with me, and I think that was because this is the book where everything starts to come together and we start seeing the big overarching themes laid out more clearly and explicitly of what this book is really all about. About. And I think that is love. Love is strength and power and it can conquer truly terrible things, even when it causes great pain. And it's worth it. It's definitely worth it.
Quotes:
First off, I want to get some ending spoilers out of my brain:
A lot of the things that I said about the first book also apply to this one in terms of a review. I think that the love triangle is definitely more present in this one, but, like I said for the first one, it really doesn't detract from the story. It feels mature and it makes sense and it doesn't seem petty or silly or anything like that. There's lots of action and twists and surprising things that whenever it started to feel like maybe there was a lull forming, bam! Something would happen that would make me literally sit up in my seat and be like "excuse me what??" There was also more at stake in this one, and there were bigger losses which hurt but definitely added to the story. There were a lot more places where I noted quotes that stuck with me, and I think that was because this is the book where everything starts to come together and we start seeing the big overarching themes laid out more clearly and explicitly of what this book is really all about. About. And I think that is love. Love is strength and power and it can conquer truly terrible things, even when it causes great pain. And it's worth it. It's definitely worth it.
Quotes:
- Perhaps all such unions were doomed a tragedy, for what future could a mortal and immortal have when death divided them? (30)
- Peace does not flow in your veins. (114)
- So much in life was left a chance. Some had to curve and twist to get ahead, forced to bend with the wind to remain standing, suffering storms that left others unscathed. Yet we could not blame faith for the choices we made-- the rewards were ours to reap, as were the consequences are to bear. Formed who we were... what we would become. (294)
- Trust, once broken, was impossible to restore; the cracks remained even when glazed anew. (312)
- Some years swept by, leaving little mark on our lives while a single moment suffice to upend them. (323)
- If only I could shut out our past, our doubts and regrets. The troubles that bore down upon me, the searing heat from the Sacred Flame Feather Even now burning its way through the enchantments woven around it. A constant struggle to keep it whole, to keep it from destroying me. (350)
- Perhaps, at its core, heroism was a less pretty tale. Words like honor and valor, gilded over necessity and the harsh truth--that there was no choice. (370)
- He looked just as he did when we first met by the river. So much a change since then, and yet he was still the young man brimming with compassion as I was the girl with fire in her heart. Although this time, the blaze might consume me. (372)
- Wielding the bow had made me feel special. Powerful. Strong. He had a did not need it to be those things. (387)
- " For the fools, do not fear the odds, the reckless do not care--and only the truly brave proceed regardless." (391)
- I close my eyes, fighting for calm. Images of my parents slid into my mind, along with Liwei and Wenzhi, of Shuxiao, Prince Yanming, and Ping'er. Something hardened along my spine, a warmth spreading over me. / Those truly powerful have no need for love. It was what Wugang had said to me before, when we stood in this very place. / You are wrong, I told him in the silence of my mind. Love is what gives me the strength to do this. To stop you. (401)
- A frightening thing to surrender a future, to plunge alone into the unknown. But this was my life, and I would claim it... the darkness, hurt, and all. Once you would look to death in the face, every moment after was a victory--a new hope, a new beginning. And I was no longer afraid. (426)
- These wounds and scars would not break me again. I would honor those I had lost by keeping them alive in my heart, not by casting joy for my life, not by refusing to live. No longer would I shut love from my life, and all it's wondrous yet devastating manifestations--the greatest power in the world, capable of moving the hearts of mortals and gods to both evil and good. For we were complex creatures of shades of gray, capable of wonderful and terrible things...of change, because our natures were not fixed like the stars in the sky but flowing is the river toward an unknown horizon. (455)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and War
paperbackportals's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I thoroughly enjoyed Daughter of the Moon Goddess, but I did not enjoy the second book as much. I found it difficult to get into and the plot a bit frustrating - it seemed predictable and a bit slow and the love triangle less intriguing than previously. That being said, I do still love and highly recommend the duology. The writing is beautiful and descriptive, and the celestial kingdom is imaginative - I would love to explore it with Xingyin. I just would have preferred the first as a standalone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
leaflit's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I think I enjoyed the first book more as it had more of the world building and possibly less romantic angst. Felt less *magical* than it did discovering the universe for the first time and the romance stuff went a bit overboard for me in this book but it was still an enjoyable read. A few elements felt kind of thrown in/rushed. Overall engaging and a good balance of action-mushy stuff and angst-comfort.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, War, Animal cruelty, and Death of parent
LGBTQ+ side charactersketchydelusion's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, War, and Gore
Minor: Death of parent and Infidelity
aexileigh's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, War, Child death, Murder, Death, and Grief
jessicaludden's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
*4.5*
“For the fools do not fear the odds, the reckless do not care—and only the truly brave proceed regardless.”
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an ARC of this book!
The Heart of the Sun Warrior continues the Celestial Kingdom Duology and follows Xingyin as she faces a new threat in the immortal realm. A tyrant is after the seeds of the laurel tree that grows on the moon, which will allow him to raise an army with regenerative powers to take over the realm. With the help of her allies, Xingyin must find a way to stop him and decide what place love will have in her life.
I loved this book! I wasn’t sure where the series was going after the conclusion of the first book, but I really like the direction it went in. The pacing was a little slow and there were some things with the plot and character motivation that didn’t make sense to me, but it definitely picked up in Part 3. There were many epic fantasy elements included in this book that made it feel like a journey as I was reading it. I loved watching Xingyin’s growth throughout the novel. She became such a noble and honest person, almost to a fault. I loved her relationship with her family and how she was willing to do anything to protect them. I loved the ending of this book. At first, I didn’t think things would go my way, but I finished reading this book very content. I think Xingyin made a great decision to help everyone around her be happy. Overall, I loved this book and I loved this series. I really enjoyed reading about Xingyin’s journey and being immersed in this world.
“For the fools do not fear the odds, the reckless do not care—and only the truly brave proceed regardless.”
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an ARC of this book!
The Heart of the Sun Warrior continues the Celestial Kingdom Duology and follows Xingyin as she faces a new threat in the immortal realm. A tyrant is after the seeds of the laurel tree that grows on the moon, which will allow him to raise an army with regenerative powers to take over the realm. With the help of her allies, Xingyin must find a way to stop him and decide what place love will have in her life.
I loved this book! I wasn’t sure where the series was going after the conclusion of the first book, but I really like the direction it went in. The pacing was a little slow and there were some things with the plot and character motivation that didn’t make sense to me, but it definitely picked up in Part 3. There were many epic fantasy elements included in this book that made it feel like a journey as I was reading it. I loved watching Xingyin’s growth throughout the novel. She became such a noble and honest person, almost to a fault. I loved her relationship with her family and how she was willing to do anything to protect them. I loved the ending of this book. At first, I didn’t think things would go my way, but I finished reading this book very content. I think Xingyin made a great decision to help everyone around her be happy. Overall, I loved this book and I loved this series. I really enjoyed reading about Xingyin’s journey and being immersed in this world.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
thesawyerbean's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
I was so so excited to read this after reading Daughter of the Moon Goddess earlier this year, and I have to say I absolutely devoured it. I love love love this book, and the entire duology. Not to mention how stunning the cover (and the sprayed edges) of this edition is!
The stakes have never been higher in the Immortal Realm, both for Xingyin in her personal life and for the Realm itself. Will she go through with the betrothal to the Celestial Kingdom Crown Prince Liwei, or get back involved with the treacherous prince of the Demon Realm Wenzhi? The romantic politics interweaves with wider inter-kingdom diplomacy in the shadow of an impending Juggernautical threat. This comes together as a story that is not only exhilarating and utterly enthralling, but devastating, heartfelt, magical and extremely special.
This sequel is more emotionally fraught and less action-packed than the first in the duology: however, this lets us delve even deeper into the characters, their personalities and their psyches, especially ones for whom we had previously only seen to be malignant. In addition, the ending was so satisfying and enchanting - I wish I could read more, but the beauty of it is that I don’t need to.
What a wonderful end to this epic story of trial, turmoil and ultimately love.
The stakes have never been higher in the Immortal Realm, both for Xingyin in her personal life and for the Realm itself. Will she go through with the betrothal to the Celestial Kingdom Crown Prince Liwei, or get back involved with the treacherous prince of the Demon Realm Wenzhi? The romantic politics interweaves with wider inter-kingdom diplomacy in the shadow of an impending Juggernautical threat. This comes together as a story that is not only exhilarating and utterly enthralling, but devastating, heartfelt, magical and extremely special.
This sequel is more emotionally fraught and less action-packed than the first in the duology: however, this lets us delve even deeper into the characters, their personalities and their psyches, especially ones for whom we had previously only seen to be malignant. In addition, the ending was so satisfying and enchanting - I wish I could read more, but the beauty of it is that I don’t need to.
What a wonderful end to this epic story of trial, turmoil and ultimately love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death of parent, Violence, and Gore
takarakei'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I actually didn't love this book quite as much as the first one. It moved a bit slower and there was overall less action, which made the pacing of the book drag a bit in parts. However, overall I really enjoy this series.
The villain in this book is SO well written! I was kind of hoping for Xingyi to go all "burn it all to the ground", but I also understand the path that she takes. The love triangle is still around in this one - I was really holding my breath for all three of them to get together ;) Throughout most of this book (while it's overall the best love triangle I've read) I was really unsure how Wenzhi could ever make Xingyi trust him again, but he is relentless. Until really the last 5-10% of the book this is still unclear and then THE ENDING!!! It broke me. The ending alone bumped this book up .25 of a star.
The villain in this book is SO well written! I was kind of hoping for Xingyi to go all "burn it all to the ground", but I also understand the path that she takes. The love triangle is still around in this one - I was really holding my breath for all three of them to get together ;) Throughout most of this book (while it's overall the best love triangle I've read) I was really unsure how Wenzhi could ever make Xingyi trust him again, but he is relentless. Until really the last 5-10% of the book this is still unclear and then THE ENDING!!! It broke me. The ending alone bumped this book up .25 of a star.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, War, and Blood
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
booksemmahasread's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, War, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent and Child death