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andatherrin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Body horror, and War
r1vana's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Fame was often accompanied by suffering, the thrill of glory came entwined with terror, and blood was not so easily washed from one's conscience.
This whole book until 97% of the book, the author made me believe that Xingyin was gonna end up with Liwei.
Even tough it was 2% of the end of the book, I am satisfied with the fact that she ends up with Wenzhi. PSA: this review is all about leasing Wenzhi, beware.
As I was reading through the book, the more I got depressed. For me, it was not better than the first book. The plot in this one keeps getting dragged. And the love triangles was even more stressful. Again, it shadows that FL’s progress and growth. It felt like she was back to square one.
This is why I hate LT. The fact that she still abodes deep feelings for “both” of them?! Please. I knew that Liwei was gonna give up his relationship with Xingyin for the Celestial Kingdom.
-
The ending was rushed. Which is really disappointing. What happens with Xingyin and Wenzhi? Is he gonna get his memory back? Or will he fall in love with her again?
He was not my first love, but he would be my last.
-
For thoses who want to debate on why Wenzhi is better? Theses quotes itself speaks:
“Believe this, then--for I swear it upon my family, my kingdom, and my honor. When I won the crown and lost you, it was a hollow victory. I regretted all that was lost between us, all I had destroyed--for nothing was worth losing you."
;
When he knows that his betrayal has affected him but can’t himself to want her:
“To hear you say my name without hate or wariness, is a desire that has haunted me for the past year. Some days I thought you would despise me forever—as I deserved." A drawn breath slid from him. "I should be grateful, but I can't help wanting more."
This guy is the ultimate:
"You would have given up your crown? After all you did to secure it?" My voice lifted in disbelief.
The light in his eyes rivaled that of the moon. "I would give it all up for you, if you would only ask."
“Unclouded by emotion, instinct can be a powerful guide?"
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Death
marleywrites's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
So. Much. Angst. My heart fractured so many times while reading this book. Every time Xingyin’s heart broke, mine did too. I felt her grief deep in my soul.
This book made me want to sing and cry at the same time. The Wenzhi redemption arc- phew! I was rooting for him from the start! I was feeling every emotional high and low like it was my own emotions at stake.
This story is now a forever favorite. The character arcs. The thrilling plot. The symbolism. The fantastic prose.
If Sue Lynn Tan writes it, I’m gonna read it.
Liwei working so hard to save Wenzhi for Xingyin… that’s love. I’m so proud of him for setting aside that pain he felt for her. And that Wenzhi and Xingyin will get another chance…. Yes, I cried. A lot.
This book made me want to sing and cry at the same time.
This story is now a forever favorite. The character arcs. The thrilling plot. The symbolism. The fantastic prose.
If Sue Lynn Tan writes it, I’m gonna read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: War and Blood
Minor: Infidelity, Murder, and Death of parent
The angst is heavy in this one.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
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 characteraexileigh'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
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? No
4.25
Thanks to Harper Voyager for the free advance copy of this book.
- It's hard to review the second book in a duology, so let me just say if you haven't read the first book, DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS, yet, go get it now! These books are so beautiful and engrossing. Despite their length, you will fly through them.
- HEART OF THE SUN WARRIOR is chock full of action, but the emotional relationships also shine. Both family and romantic relationships are given care and weight.
- I won't give anything away, but know that this is a satisfying conclusion to an incredible duology.
- It's hard to review the second book in a duology, so let me just say if you haven't read the first book, DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS, yet, go get it now! These books are so beautiful and engrossing. Despite their length, you will fly through them.
- HEART OF THE SUN WARRIOR is chock full of action, but the emotional relationships also shine. Both family and romantic relationships are given care and weight.
- I won't give anything away, but know that this is a satisfying conclusion to an incredible duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Grief, Alcohol, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
A breathtakingly immersive and utterly thrilling conclusion to Sue Lynn Tan’s phenomenal Celestial Kingdom duology that sees even more heart-stopping, high stakes action as Xingyin battles to save her family—and the Celestial Kingdom from ruin.
It follows directly on from Daughter of The Moon Goddess and follows Xingyin reunited with her childhood home having won her mother (the moon goddess, Chang'e) freedom from the Celestial emperor’s exile.
But that fragile peace is threatened when a strange new magic is discovered on the moon, and a traitor—with a dangerous thirst for power and vengeance— sets their sights on the Emperor’s throne.
Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions encounter legendary creatures, scheming monarchs and formidable foes as they search for aid in destroying the evil—and put a stop to devastation before it’s too late.
This was an absolutely stunning sequel that I genuinely couldn’t put down! It’s so gorgeously crafted and even more detailed than in DOTMG— a feat in and of itself as I absolutely loved the lush and descriptive the world building in book one and thought every eloquently wrought (and lyrical) detail was perfect.
The action; which includes plenty of gossipy courtiers, backstabbing and political intrigue was pretty much non-stop and Sue Lynn Tan’s atmospheric, lyrical writing had me completely hooked!
I did feel that unlike Daughter of The Moon Goddess, Heart of The Sun Warrior was a little more character driven—focusing on the emotional aspects of the characters and adding more depth and dimension to their arcs. This was especially true for our endearing protagonist, Xingyin who’s still recovering from the fallout (and Celestial Emperor’s ire) after the events of DOTMG (and the conflicting feelings she has surrounding Wenzhi and Liwei.)
I definitely felt she’s matured since the last time we saw her—there’s definitely less impulsive decisions being made this time around and it was it was interesting to see how that affected Xingyin’s problem solving abilities. The romance aspect too, was a little more cautious though I still really enjoyed the love triangle aspect. I have to admit I’m a sucker for a morally grey bad boy, so I couldn’t help but root for Wenzhi as he tried to redeem himself and win back Xingyin’s trust.
And though I may not have been rooting as hard for him to end up with Xingyin, I did absolutely love Liwei as a character and the complex emotional journey he faces—having to tread the fine line between his loyalty to his family and his love for Xingyin whom they despise. It’s not an easy decision and one Liwei doesn’t make lightly which I really respected him for.
I also loved that we got the see more of Xingyin’s family and delve into her parents’ history a little more, it was also really interesting to hear more about her father—the famed mortal archer Houyi.
The ending was absolutely perfect even if it did have me sobbing uncontrollably, the prose was just soo georgoeusly magical and immersive—I didn’t want it to ever end!
Overall, Heart of The Sun Warrior was a visual (and emotional) feast for the senses—an addictive and utterly immersive fantasy that fairytale or mythology lovers absolutely must read.
Also, thanks to Harper Voyager and Netgalley for e-arc.
It follows directly on from Daughter of The Moon Goddess and follows Xingyin reunited with her childhood home having won her mother (the moon goddess, Chang'e) freedom from the Celestial emperor’s exile.
But that fragile peace is threatened when a strange new magic is discovered on the moon, and a traitor—with a dangerous thirst for power and vengeance— sets their sights on the Emperor’s throne.
Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions encounter legendary creatures, scheming monarchs and formidable foes as they search for aid in destroying the evil—and put a stop to devastation before it’s too late.
This was an absolutely stunning sequel that I genuinely couldn’t put down! It’s so gorgeously crafted and even more detailed than in DOTMG— a feat in and of itself as I absolutely loved the lush and descriptive the world building in book one and thought every eloquently wrought (and lyrical) detail was perfect.
The action; which includes plenty of gossipy courtiers, backstabbing and political intrigue was pretty much non-stop and Sue Lynn Tan’s atmospheric, lyrical writing had me completely hooked!
I did feel that unlike Daughter of The Moon Goddess, Heart of The Sun Warrior was a little more character driven—focusing on the emotional aspects of the characters and adding more depth and dimension to their arcs. This was especially true for our endearing protagonist, Xingyin who’s still recovering from the fallout (and Celestial Emperor’s ire) after the events of DOTMG (and the conflicting feelings she has surrounding Wenzhi and Liwei.)
I definitely felt she’s matured since the last time we saw her—there’s definitely less impulsive decisions being made this time around and it was it was interesting to see how that affected Xingyin’s problem solving abilities. The romance aspect too, was a little more cautious though I still really enjoyed the love triangle aspect. I have to admit I’m a sucker for a morally grey bad boy, so I couldn’t help but root for Wenzhi as he tried to redeem himself and win back Xingyin’s trust.
And though I may not have been rooting as hard for him to end up with Xingyin, I did absolutely love Liwei as a character and the complex emotional journey he faces—having to tread the fine line between his loyalty to his family and his love for Xingyin whom they despise. It’s not an easy decision and one Liwei doesn’t make lightly which I really respected him for.
I also loved that we got the see more of Xingyin’s family and delve into her parents’ history a little more, it was also really interesting to hear more about her father—the famed mortal archer Houyi.
The ending was absolutely perfect even if it did have me sobbing uncontrollably, the prose was just soo georgoeusly magical and immersive—I didn’t want it to ever end!
Overall, Heart of The Sun Warrior was a visual (and emotional) feast for the senses—an addictive and utterly immersive fantasy that fairytale or mythology lovers absolutely must read.
Also, thanks to Harper Voyager and Netgalley for e-arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War, and Grief
Moderate: Murder, Child death, and Death of parent