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fiercereadsfiction's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child death and Violence
midnightrose_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed Heart of the Sun Warrior, the second book in the Celestial Kingdoms series. But it was not a 5 star read, unfortunately, like the first book Daughter of the Moon Goddess was. There were moments that dragged (despite this book being less pages than the first), and at times didn’t feel nearly as compelling as its predecessor. Perhaps this could have been a hundred pages shorter and would have retained the energy the first one had. All in all I would still recommend this duology if you’re looking for descriptive writing and lush world-building.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, and Death
Moderate: War, Child death, and Blood
Minor: Death of parent
mannydoeslife's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Death
idesofmarch'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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Child death, and Grief
awkwardimagination's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was so much more emotional than the first. It felt faster, probably due to it's shorter time frame than the plot of the first book, stretching years. And it actually made me cry, like actual tears wear shed during the last 100 pages. This was not where I thought the romantic plot would go, but I am not upset about it. The ending, filled with grief and pain, was amazing, but I do feel slightly unsatisfied with how it finished. I know there may be another book coming, so hopefully, what I would've liked from this ending is there. Xingyin continues to be my favourite protagonist ever, I honestly love her, and I highly doubt I will respect and love another character as much as her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, War, Grief, Violence, Death, Blood, Child death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Torture
major character deathdragongirl271's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Child death, and Torture
lex_is_bookish's review
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Blood, Death, and Violence
nozycozy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Once again Sue Lynn Tan’s writing is exquisite. The way she details the immortal realm, what their wearing, the pain, the sadness, the self reflection, everything was breath taking. The Heart of the Sun Warrior increased the stakes for Xingyin’s relentless adversities. She truly is a warrior. I was very happy with the ending. This duology will stay with me forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and War
haley_reads_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
Unlike the first book, this was not an effortless read for me, but it was still filled with just as much magic. The plot twists with Xingyin‘s romances are what saved this story for me. If she had ended up marrying and becoming empress , I think the book would have felt like a waste, but as it is, I really am glad I pushed through to the end when I was struggling to continue. I loved the maturity this book brought to Xingyin‘s character, and I am so glad she found her happiness in the end. I also want to mention one of my favorite parts about Tan’s writing: the way she describes everything wish so much care and attention to detail. There is so much life and color in each page and that really is what made me adore this duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Grief, Toxic relationship, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Terminal illness, and Vomit
Minor: Kidnapping
foreverinastory'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? Yes
5.0
I love this duology so much! It’s just so lovely, and Natalie Naudus’s narration is perfect for it! I have loved listening to these books and being swept away to the Celestial Kingdom.
Without any spoilers, Heart of the Sun Warrior has the same charm as Daughter of the Moon Goddess. We see Xingyin continue to grow as a person and I love her character so much. She’s so easy to relate to and root for. We get to see Xingyin start to figure and decide what and who she wants in her life. I really liked the message that just because you love someone, doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your every happiness for them. The ending turned out even better than what I had hoped for! Highly recommend this duology for lovers of mythology, legends and epic fantasy worlds!
CWs: Death, grief, war, violence, child death, blood, murder, fire/fire injury, injury/injury detail, death of parent, alcohol consumption (wine).
Without any spoilers, Heart of the Sun Warrior has the same charm as Daughter of the Moon Goddess. We see Xingyin continue to grow as a person and I love her character so much. She’s so easy to relate to and root for. We get to see Xingyin start to figure and decide what and who she wants in her life. I really liked the message that just because you love someone, doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your every happiness for them. The ending turned out even better than what I had hoped for! Highly recommend this duology for lovers of mythology, legends and epic fantasy worlds!
CWs: Death, grief, war, violence, child death, blood, murder, fire/fire injury, injury/injury detail, death of parent, alcohol consumption (wine).
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Alcohol, Child death, Blood, and Death