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samchase112's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
3.0
An enthralling, action-packed fantasy epic! This stunning series finale certainly kept me turning the pages, and there was never a dull moment. However, I found myself skimming at times as I was wholly uninterested in the love triangle that consumed the book. If there had been no romance — or if Xingyin had simply chosen a man and stuck with him — I think I would’ve enjoyed this so, so much more because the plot and Xingyin’s story could have centered around much more interesting angles; her parents, her friends, her own maturation, etc.
I’ve seen this book described as a C-drama, and I wholeheartedly agree. It has the emotionality and cinematic scope of a well-done fantasy drama, and I love that! Maybe not my personal favorite genre, but I can certainly see how it would appeal to so many others.
All in all, I am truly glad I finished out this series — it’s helped remind me of my love for fantasy, and for that I’m grateful.
I’ve seen this book described as a C-drama, and I wholeheartedly agree. It has the emotionality and cinematic scope of a well-done fantasy drama, and I love that! Maybe not my personal favorite genre, but I can certainly see how it would appeal to so many others.
All in all, I am truly glad I finished out this series — it’s helped remind me of my love for fantasy, and for that I’m grateful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, War, Blood, and Child death
Minor: Kidnapping and Confinement
victoriousbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, War, Confinement, and Child death
Minor: Animal death
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
HEART OF THE SUN WARRIOR picks up a little after DAUGTHER OF THE MOON GODDESS. Xingyin is back on the moon with her mother, but now neither of them is bound to stay. Xingyin is still the narrator, and her presentation is consistent with the first book. This wraps up the relationship triangle established in the first book between Xingyin, Liwei, and Wenzhi. It also establishes and resolves a new storyline, related to Xingin's mother and her parents' past. As the final book of the duology, it's self-contained enough for the main narrative to make sense if someone didn't read the first book, but the friendships, allies, and enemies who drive the story were almost all established earlier. It's very good at recapping when necessary in a way that feels very natural, but it'll definitely be more resonant to someone trying to remember what happened earlier, not someone who didn't read the first book at all.
The worldbuilding leans on things set up in the first book, expanding on a couple of new areas and spending much more on the moon and Xingyin's parents. Her mother is finally free to leave the moon and this makes way for opportunities long denied to her. It is immersive without getting bogged down in descriptions of each place. They have a distinctive character conveyed through Xingyin's reactions and worries, as well as the people in the various areas. It's not as travel-heavy as the first book, with a much more straightforward quest in a shorter timespan. The elixir of immortality is in play once again, and the quest, in this case, is to flee and not die from the king's wrath, while hopefully figuring out how to stop a plot against Xingyin's mother.
Xingyin is still torn between Liwei and Wenzhi, with both men making their interest clear but not pressuring her. Her complicated feelings are driven by events in the first book, and she's trying to sort out her thoughts and desires. They represent two different kinds of lives in addition to being different people, and she's strongly bonded to them. I like this better than a lot of love triangles, but I must admit that a part of me wishes this resolved like IRON WIDOW by Xiran Jay Zhao. It doesn't because Liwei and Wenzhi are not at all interested in each other, and so it remains a choice between people on Xingyin's part. Ultimately I like how it ends, I think it fits the characters and the narrative. Because they are immortal unless actively killed, this is very early in Xingyin's presumably long existence to come, and the ending is very aware of that. It helps to solidify the sense that this is one particularly important and eventful chapter in her life, but that this isn't the end by any stretch.
The worldbuilding leans on things set up in the first book, expanding on a couple of new areas and spending much more on the moon and Xingyin's parents. Her mother is finally free to leave the moon and this makes way for opportunities long denied to her. It is immersive without getting bogged down in descriptions of each place. They have a distinctive character conveyed through Xingyin's reactions and worries, as well as the people in the various areas. It's not as travel-heavy as the first book, with a much more straightforward quest in a shorter timespan. The elixir of immortality is in play once again, and the quest, in this case, is to flee and not die from the king's wrath, while hopefully figuring out how to stop a plot against Xingyin's mother.
Xingyin is still torn between Liwei and Wenzhi, with both men making their interest clear but not pressuring her. Her complicated feelings are driven by events in the first book, and she's trying to sort out her thoughts and desires. They represent two different kinds of lives in addition to being different people, and she's strongly bonded to them. I like this better than a lot of love triangles, but I must admit that a part of me wishes this resolved like IRON WIDOW by Xiran Jay Zhao. It doesn't because Liwei and Wenzhi are not at all interested in each other, and so it remains a choice between people on Xingyin's part. Ultimately I like how it ends, I think it fits the characters and the narrative. Because they are immortal unless actively killed, this is very early in Xingyin's presumably long existence to come, and the ending is very aware of that. It helps to solidify the sense that this is one particularly important and eventful chapter in her life, but that this isn't the end by any stretch.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Violence, Confinement, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Self harm
Minor: Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Death of parent
kumquats87's review
adventurous
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Classism, Confinement, and War
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty
lanid's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Gore, Violence, War, Confinement, Death, Body horror, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Grief
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
lastblossom's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- 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
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advance copy.
tl;dr
Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, a strong follow-up to the previous book. Romantic endgame might be divisive.
About
After winning the Celestial Emperor's pardon (although not his favor), Xingyin thought she'd be returning to her quiet life on the moon with her mother. But political turmoil rages in the Celestial Kingdom, churned on by her previous actions. With her home on the moon threatened by old enemies and new magic, Xingyin must once again take up her bow and fight for the ones she loves. And maybe even the ones she thought she gave up loving.
Thoughts
The first book of this series was largely an adventure punctuated with romance. This one is definitely a romance punctuated with adventure. Xingyin is already an accomplished fighter, and so we see very little by way of her development in that area, with more time spent on her growing emotionally and learning how to process different kinds of grief. There's a lot more at stake here, with several deaths, and the loss of potential lives lived, with no one coming out entirely faultless in the process. The moral depth and complexity definitely outshines the first book in this space. The romantic triangle from the first book takes front and center here, with Wenzhi, Liwei, and eventually Xingyin all being way more honest about their feelings than the first go-around. There's a clear endgame this time around, and your enjoyment will probably hang entirely on who you cheered for in the first book. Action scenes move quickly, with fewer "epic" set pieces and more subdued fights (on average). There's also more time spent on Chinese lore, which I really enjoyed. Overall, I feel like it's a really good conclusion to the previous book, and it ties up all the loose ends really well.
Also, I am aware there wasn't really time for it, but I am devastated thatthe entire enemies-to-lovers romance between Shuxiao and Menqi happened off screen. I would have loved to see that develop.
tl;dr
Equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, a strong follow-up to the previous book. Romantic endgame might be divisive.
About
After winning the Celestial Emperor's pardon (although not his favor), Xingyin thought she'd be returning to her quiet life on the moon with her mother. But political turmoil rages in the Celestial Kingdom, churned on by her previous actions. With her home on the moon threatened by old enemies and new magic, Xingyin must once again take up her bow and fight for the ones she loves. And maybe even the ones she thought she gave up loving.
Thoughts
The first book of this series was largely an adventure punctuated with romance. This one is definitely a romance punctuated with adventure. Xingyin is already an accomplished fighter, and so we see very little by way of her development in that area, with more time spent on her growing emotionally and learning how to process different kinds of grief. There's a lot more at stake here, with several deaths, and the loss of potential lives lived, with no one coming out entirely faultless in the process. The moral depth and complexity definitely outshines the first book in this space. The romantic triangle from the first book takes front and center here, with Wenzhi, Liwei, and eventually Xingyin all being way more honest about their feelings than the first go-around. There's a clear endgame this time around, and your enjoyment will probably hang entirely on who you cheered for in the first book. Action scenes move quickly, with fewer "epic" set pieces and more subdued fights (on average). There's also more time spent on Chinese lore, which I really enjoyed. Overall, I feel like it's a really good conclusion to the previous book, and it ties up all the loose ends really well.
Also, I am aware there wasn't really time for it, but I am devastated that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: War, Blood, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Infidelity, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Deadnaming and Death of parent
readwithria's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Heart of the Sun Warrior was a beautiful, gut-wrenching conclusion to this enchanting duology. It made my heart sing, only to split it in two and heal it over.
This book was not perfect, but it captured the essence of war, betrayal, and love so incredibly well. I did find the first half to be a bit slow and easy to put down, but as the plot picked up I noticed everything that had been laid down in the groundwork of the book coming back and playing its part in the conclusion. The stakes were real, this was a war story and war has its casualties, but the losses were surrounded by an incredibly well written story of grief, forgiveness, vengeance, and love strong enough to defy the odds.
I was more than a little surprised that I didn’t hate the love triangle. I often find that love triangles feel contrived and unnecessary, but Xingyin’s feelings for both Liwei and Wenzhi are so real and complex that I could feel as her love shifted between betrayal, deep love, friendship, and all the stages in between. Love was a theme explored throughout the book, not only romantic love but also familial and platonic love. Having this balance helped to keep the love triangle from overwhelming the book.
Sue Lynn Tan’s writing was just as beautiful in this book as in her debut, the story even more tightly woven, and the characters increasing in complexity. I will definitely be buying myself a physical copy of this book when it is released. 5 beautifully imperfect stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
This book was not perfect, but it captured the essence of war, betrayal, and love so incredibly well. I did find the first half to be a bit slow and easy to put down, but as the plot picked up I noticed everything that had been laid down in the groundwork of the book coming back and playing its part in the conclusion. The stakes were real, this was a war story and war has its casualties, but the losses were surrounded by an incredibly well written story of grief, forgiveness, vengeance, and love strong enough to defy the odds.
I was more than a little surprised that I didn’t hate the love triangle. I often find that love triangles feel contrived and unnecessary, but Xingyin’s feelings for both Liwei and Wenzhi are so real and complex that I could feel as her love shifted between betrayal, deep love, friendship, and all the stages in between. Love was a theme explored throughout the book, not only romantic love but also familial and platonic love. Having this balance helped to keep the love triangle from overwhelming the book.
Sue Lynn Tan’s writing was just as beautiful in this book as in her debut, the story even more tightly woven, and the characters increasing in complexity. I will definitely be buying myself a physical copy of this book when it is released. 5 beautifully imperfect stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and War
Minor: Confinement and Fire/Fire injury
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