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adventurous
challenging
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The worldbuilding is sumptuous and shameless, a high fantasy, myth-infused delight. The plot is fun, though oddly episodic, coming across like a monster of the week in novel format, with every obstacle dispatched after a brief, dramatic struggle and Xingyin being just way better than anybody else. Xingyin is enjoyable in a slightly 90s girl-power kinda way. Every dude she meets falls in love with her immediately but she's sure to tell you how plain she is. Magical weapons and awesome gifts just hurl themselves into her hands because she's the coolest. Just ride with it. Liwei and Wenzhi have exactly zero personality between them, but I suppose they don't really need one. They're just handsome props. Altogether everything is very pretty and very thrilling and there's dragons. A gift to the eight year old inside us all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Infidelity, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a wonderful story, it just felt very spaced out and slow-paced that it was almost a slog to get through.
The author has created a truly beautiful world, playing off the Chang’e legend and depicting this beautiful kingdom filled with gods. I did really like the author’s writing style and descriptions but this book is over 500 pages and it feels like it. The pacing is very, very slow and I was getting bored before I’d even reached the halfway point. There’s not much urgency or thrill in the story despite the MC originally setting out on an important mission. It felt like she forgot about the point of her quest and so we get the humdrum of life instead of any true adventures.
I will say that the book reminded me a lot of the labours of Heracles in its pacing, where there are several things he’s required to complete before he has actually completed the overall challenge. So perhaps if you think along those lines for Xingyin, the story won’t seem to drag as much.
The author has created a truly beautiful world, playing off the Chang’e legend and depicting this beautiful kingdom filled with gods. I did really like the author’s writing style and descriptions but this book is over 500 pages and it feels like it. The pacing is very, very slow and I was getting bored before I’d even reached the halfway point. There’s not much urgency or thrill in the story despite the MC originally setting out on an important mission. It felt like she forgot about the point of her quest and so we get the humdrum of life instead of any true adventures.
I will say that the book reminded me a lot of the labours of Heracles in its pacing, where there are several things he’s required to complete before he has actually completed the overall challenge. So perhaps if you think along those lines for Xingyin, the story won’t seem to drag as much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Grief, War
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
an epic tale filled with many tropes. although you knew what was gonna happen it was enjoyable nonetheless. reminded me of historical drama which are my favorites.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, War
adventurous
emotional
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:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
Chinese drama Vibes
One of this book's most prominent subjects was Xingyin's character arc.
One of this book's most prominent subjects was Xingyin's character arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Infidelity, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent
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:
Complicated
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: Confinement, Violence, War
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Confinement, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Torture, Kidnapping, Grief, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Sexism, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol