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andatherrin's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Deportation, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Body horror, and War
r1vana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: War, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Death
marleywrites's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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
- 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
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
- 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
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 against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Violence, War, Child death, Murder, Death, and Grief
jessicaludden's review against another edition
- 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
“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.
Minor: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
thesawyerbean's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death of parent, Violence, and Gore
caseythereader's review against another edition
- 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
- 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.
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
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
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.
Graphic: Death, Violence, War, and Grief
Moderate: Murder, Child death, and Death of parent