Reviews tagging 'Child death'

Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan

68 reviews

lucyatoz's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is my 14th book read for the reading challenge in 2024!

Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan continues the story of Xingyin, the daughter of the Moon Goddess Chang'e and her mortal husband Houyi. She is again forced to flee her moonlit world along with her mother and joins forces with former Captain Wenzhi of the Celestial Army and Prince Liwei, heir of the Celestial Emperor, two men who she loves for very different reasons. 

By the end of the story, one is believed dead, following an intense battle which involves all of the Immortal World, and one is restored to his rightful place...however, that is not the end of the story! 

This novel, of 3 parts, is another great story which takes you on a breathtaking journey from the Moon to the Eastern Sea, and the majesty of the Celestial Kingdom to mists of the Demon Realm.  
 
I borrowed a copy of this novel from my local library and listened to it on cloudLibrary. I read this for prompt 24, a cover without people on it, for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024. This novel is the other half of the prompt 15, part of a duology. 
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cookiemonstaly's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Got my heart broken over and over, and yet somehow it managed to piece itself back together at the end.
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ctara2123's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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

3.75

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bree_h_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

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aims122's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

...
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bookwormabby54's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional slow-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? Yes

4.75

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collarbonejoe's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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heeen's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No
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boodles100's review against another edition

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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

3.5

I loved the plot. Lost stars for repetitive writing. 
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hello_lovely13's review against another edition

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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

3.0

Unfortunately, this did not live up to the hype of the first book for me. The first half of the book was caught in the loop of problem-solution, problem-solution, which made the pacing of the story dissatisfying. At the halfway mark, I had no clue as to how the book was going to end, or even the direction it was going. The third quarter of the book was much better in regards to the pacing, but I felt that the resolution to the main conflict happened too quickly.
The death of Prince Yanming DESTROYED me. I could not stop crying. The death of Wenzhi, however, left me disappointed. I was very glad that it turned out that his character wasn’t gone for good. I wanted him and Xingyin to end up together after all. Also, for the first half of the book, the inclusion on Houyi being alive came out of nowhere, and though I’m happy he and Chang’e are reunited, I’m not sure the inclusion added enough interest for me.
The last 50 pages were fantastic. Overall, it was entertaining (I was constantly stressed and wanting to know what happened next), but the pacing left something to be desired and the chemistry between characters wasn’t as strong as in the first book. I will admit, I usually hate fighting scenes (I usually find them boring), but this duology has nailed every single one! I’m always interested and hanging on every word! I’m a bit disappointed with this book, but I’m also happy in some ways.
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