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ellas_escapism's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Wow, wow, wow. This book is absolutely incredible. The worldbuilding is one of the best I've ever read, and the Immortal Realms are so unique and fascinating 🌙
Xingyin is such a powerful protagonist, and her powers growing over time was so interesting to read about. Prince Lewei is obviously a new book boyfriend, and an amazing character! I can't wait to explore more about the two (and all the other main side characters) in the second book 🥰
If you like :
- Chinese legend
- dragons
- powerful characters
- love triangle trope that actually works really well
- hidden powers/identity trope
- poetic + lyrical writing
- stunning worldbuilding and amazing descriptions
- multiple plot points which all tie together under the main plot
Xingyin is such a powerful protagonist, and her powers growing over time was so interesting to read about. Prince Lewei is obviously a new book boyfriend, and an amazing character! I can't wait to explore more about the two (and all the other main side characters) in the second book 🥰
If you like :
- Chinese legend
- dragons
- powerful characters
- love triangle trope that actually works really well
- hidden powers/identity trope
- poetic + lyrical writing
- stunning worldbuilding and amazing descriptions
- multiple plot points which all tie together under the main plot
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Death, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual assault
kindredbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
YES! It's always such a great feeling when one of your most anticipated reads of the year meets all your expectations and more. Daughter of the Moon Goddess has been on my anticipated list since I first heard about it last year, I preordered my copy, and completely just devoured the book within days. This is a read that kept me up late into the night because just "one more chapter" was not enough.
I absolutely loved the fantasy world in the Celestial Kingdom that is based on ancient Chinese mythology and the idea of the MC being the daughter of the Moon Goddess, Chang'e. Basically stories and characters that I have known about since I was a child but now in a magical and whirlwind of a fantasy novel. Sue Lynn Tan weaves an absolutely enchanting story filled with incredible detailed descriptions of the world. I would be reading her descriptions of a place, like the Fragrant Coral Palace in the Eastern Sea and be able to really envision it in my mind because of her beautiful words and narrative.
I really enjoyed Xingyin's character development in this story as we start off with her so content yet isolated living with her mother on the moon. Throughout the story, her determination to return home and to free her mother becomes a guiding motivation for who she is. But she is not a character who just miraculously has all things work out her way with ease. She struggles, errs, and even falls in love - all of which made me like her more as a character.
Just absolutely fantastic and magical and I do not know how my heart can take any more in this epic tale - but I know that this is the first in the Celestial Kingdom duology. I will have to brace my heart and eagerly await book two.
I absolutely loved the fantasy world in the Celestial Kingdom that is based on ancient Chinese mythology and the idea of the MC being the daughter of the Moon Goddess, Chang'e. Basically stories and characters that I have known about since I was a child but now in a magical and whirlwind of a fantasy novel. Sue Lynn Tan weaves an absolutely enchanting story filled with incredible detailed descriptions of the world. I would be reading her descriptions of a place, like the Fragrant Coral Palace in the Eastern Sea and be able to really envision it in my mind because of her beautiful words and narrative.
I really enjoyed Xingyin's character development in this story as we start off with her so content yet isolated living with her mother on the moon. Throughout the story, her determination to return home and to free her mother becomes a guiding motivation for who she is. But she is not a character who just miraculously has all things work out her way with ease. She struggles, errs, and even falls in love - all of which made me like her more as a character.
Just absolutely fantastic and magical and I do not know how my heart can take any more in this epic tale - but I know that this is the first in the Celestial Kingdom duology. I will have to brace my heart and eagerly await book two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Confinement
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Sexual assault, and Grief
foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
Thank you to B2Weird book club & tours as well as Harper Voyager US for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This was a fantastic debut! Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a retelling of the Chinese myth of the moon goddess, Chang’e. This book takes place over the course of several years. We see Xingyin leave the moon palace and enter the Celestial Kingdom in order to find a way to free her mother. Xingyin goes on several adventures during her time in the Celestial Kingdom, but she never forgets her purpose: to free her mother. This is something that is always circled back to in the overall plot.
This book has something for everyone: romance, an engaging plot, fierce battles, dragons, a female badass. I absolutely loved the world of the Celestial Kingdom. I want more of this world, because I’m so fascinated by how everything works. Plus the history and lore of the world is magnificent. I was blown away by the scope of this book and how much of the world we get to explore. I'm impressed with how much was included and how I never felt bored.
I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the fantastic Natalie Naudus. I’ve listened to several other books by Naudus, and she’s definitely one of my favorite audiobook narrators! She really brought Xingyin to life, it was impossible not to be invested in her journey.
Throughout all the action, Xingyin also falls in love with Crown Prince Liwei. Unfortunately, he is betrothed to another, but the two cannot keep from being drawn to one another. I really enjoyed the romance between these two. There is also a love triangle, but like idk which side I want to win? We learn so much about both of these men and I can't pick who I like best with Xingyin, hopefully she'll be able to figure it out for herself.
This is a debut I won’t be forgetting any time soon. I was swept away by the adventure Xingyin went on. While this book does wrap up the major conflicts presented, there are still some paths left open, and I’m really curious to see where the sequel will take Xingyin and her friends.
Rep: All Chinese coded cast. Female MC.
CWs: Death, blood, violence, gore, fire/fire injury. Moderate: confinement, kidnapping, infidelity, sexual harassment, attempted sexual assault, torture, grief, abandonment, war, injury/injury detail. Minor: vomit, alcohol consumption, sexism, death of parent, past mentions of pregnancy, bullying bordering on emotional abuse.
This was a fantastic debut! Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a retelling of the Chinese myth of the moon goddess, Chang’e. This book takes place over the course of several years. We see Xingyin leave the moon palace and enter the Celestial Kingdom in order to find a way to free her mother. Xingyin goes on several adventures during her time in the Celestial Kingdom, but she never forgets her purpose: to free her mother. This is something that is always circled back to in the overall plot.
This book has something for everyone: romance, an engaging plot, fierce battles, dragons, a female badass. I absolutely loved the world of the Celestial Kingdom. I want more of this world, because I’m so fascinated by how everything works. Plus the history and lore of the world is magnificent. I was blown away by the scope of this book and how much of the world we get to explore. I'm impressed with how much was included and how I never felt bored.
I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the fantastic Natalie Naudus. I’ve listened to several other books by Naudus, and she’s definitely one of my favorite audiobook narrators! She really brought Xingyin to life, it was impossible not to be invested in her journey.
Throughout all the action, Xingyin also falls in love with Crown Prince Liwei. Unfortunately, he is betrothed to another, but the two cannot keep from being drawn to one another. I really enjoyed the romance between these two. There is also a love triangle, but like idk which side I want to win? We learn so much about both of these men and I can't pick who I like best with Xingyin, hopefully she'll be able to figure it out for herself.
This is a debut I won’t be forgetting any time soon. I was swept away by the adventure Xingyin went on. While this book does wrap up the major conflicts presented, there are still some paths left open, and I’m really curious to see where the sequel will take Xingyin and her friends.
Rep: All Chinese coded cast. Female MC.
CWs: Death, blood, violence, gore, fire/fire injury. Moderate: confinement, kidnapping, infidelity, sexual harassment, attempted sexual assault, torture, grief, abandonment, war, injury/injury detail. Minor: vomit, alcohol consumption, sexism, death of parent, past mentions of pregnancy, bullying bordering on emotional abuse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Confinement, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Torture, and War
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Vomit
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This fantasy debut stuns with evocative descriptions of many dazzling locales from the moon to the Celestial Court to an underwater palace to an enchanted forest to the Demon Realm, among others. Each setting is layered with vibrant description, emotional atmosphere, and a spark of magic. It provides the perfect majestic backdrop for a story of mythical proportions and sweeping battles, quests, and bargains.
The plot follows Xingyin as she must abscond from her home on the moon in secret, leaving her mother, the moon goddess, behind. Driven by a desire for reunion, she sets out to free the goddess from her lunar imprisonment. She goes on many journeys: from lowly attendant to the companion of a prince, from skilled flutist to First Archer in the Celestial Army, from broken heart to betrayal, from pawn to clever trickster. The story thrives on big-picture political slyness and also on the more intimate level of personal relationships-- bonds of family, loyalty, duty, friendship, and romantic love.
Speaking of romance, I normally hate a love triangle but was actually amused in this case by how Xingyin is kind of clueless about her allure. It doesn't have the annoying flavor of a protagonist who is inexplicably desired by everyone they meet. Rather, her forthright nature and the way she clings to her goals and stays true to herself draw people in without her noticing. So intent on her aspirations and her desperation to free her mother, she has an air of surprise towards anyone holding interest in her since it doesn't rank among her own priorities. Xingyin doesn't even notice if someone else is attractive unless another party points it out to her. This power imbalance was great fun to me. I also loved her iron core of honor and the way she follows her own standard for right and wrong rather than allowing anyone else to dictate it for her. It lends her a strength of purpose and makes her a loyal friend but never a flattering sycophant.
At all points, I was enthralled with Xingyin's story and I loved being a guest in her mind. I can't wait to see where the duology goes next (and the love triangle, let's be honest).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Confinement, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual assault, and War
enchantressreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
“Some scars are carved into our bones—a part of who we are, shaping what we become.”
Xingyin lives alone with her mother Chang’e and caretaker Ping’er on the moon, something she sees as beautiful if only a little lonely. Soon, she finds out that their living arrangements are due to Chang’e’s punishment for drinking an immortal elixir not intended for her. The Celestial Empress believes Chang’e is, correctly, hiding someone. Xingyin must go into hiding, leaving behind her only home for a world she does not know.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a retelling of the story of Chang’e—a Chinese tale that is new to me, and I immediately researched once I hit the last page. The original mythology follows Chang’e and Houyi, a talented archer who killed 9 of the 10 suns scorching the Earth, making it habitable for its residents. Aptly named, we follow her daughter in this novel.
I really felt for Xingyin. She would do anything to save her mother. She stared down the Celestial Kingdom, and did not back down. But she was not without her flaws—her journey took to the back burner when she fell in love with the Celestial Crown Prince. This made her an even more relatable character. She was a true good character, but love surprises us sometimes.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and flew through it in a couple days. My only problem, hence the 4 star rating, was there was a lot more warfare and battle strategies than I was expecting in a fantasy book. I knew that might be part of it, but it took over a good bit of the book. I did love the fantasy world and the magic system, so it isn’t a huge dealbreaker.
Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the chance to read this advanced review copy. Daughter of the Moon Goddess releases on January 11th.
Xingyin lives alone with her mother Chang’e and caretaker Ping’er on the moon, something she sees as beautiful if only a little lonely. Soon, she finds out that their living arrangements are due to Chang’e’s punishment for drinking an immortal elixir not intended for her. The Celestial Empress believes Chang’e is, correctly, hiding someone. Xingyin must go into hiding, leaving behind her only home for a world she does not know.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a retelling of the story of Chang’e—a Chinese tale that is new to me, and I immediately researched once I hit the last page. The original mythology follows Chang’e and Houyi, a talented archer who killed 9 of the 10 suns scorching the Earth, making it habitable for its residents. Aptly named, we follow her daughter in this novel.
I really felt for Xingyin. She would do anything to save her mother. She stared down the Celestial Kingdom, and did not back down. But she was not without her flaws—her journey took to the back burner when she fell in love with the Celestial Crown Prince. This made her an even more relatable character. She was a true good character, but love surprises us sometimes.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and flew through it in a couple days. My only problem, hence the 4 star rating, was there was a lot more warfare and battle strategies than I was expecting in a fantasy book. I knew that might be part of it, but it took over a good bit of the book. I did love the fantasy world and the magic system, so it isn’t a huge dealbreaker.
Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the chance to read this advanced review copy. Daughter of the Moon Goddess releases on January 11th.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and War
Minor: Vomit
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