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A review by stephdaydreams
Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan
4.0
When I first finished Daughter of the Moon Goddess I left with mixed emotions. It was a whirlpool of emotions, sometimes settling on frustration, other times anticipation. I was desperate for the sequel, but also nervous for it. A push and pull until the pull came in form of this arc. I was all in then, and hoping by reading this sequel I could finally sort through the mixed emotion the first book left me in.
And I did.
In fact, I left this sequel desiring more. Before opening the book, all I hoped was to reach the end satisfied. A clean walk away. Instead, I’m banging at the doors, desperate to be let back in because I just want one more look, I want to know what happens when the reader is led out of the story. I want want one last glimpse of this world and these characters I’ve come to know.
And all the credit to Sue Lynn Tan’s magnificent writing.
Since the first book, one thing that is absolutely undeniable in my mind is Tan’s writing. She writes gorgeously—taking a string of words and weaving poetry with them.
It’s beautifully written.
However, to be open in all feelings, sometimes that was what I felt was lacking— a narrative that could emote. Where instead of just seeing an action take place, I could feel it too. Where that poetry of words could also lead to symphonies in the heart. Some actions take place so quickly that there is no build up, no anticipation, no lead up into the thing that happens. It reads more of “Here’s an action for you.” “Ok, I’ll take it.”
Once more, with feeling.
It’s an odd thing to say to a book that continues the first’s love triangle, there’s much feeling there— but it’s one I never embraced. I wished the love triangle had resolved itself earlier to allow the chosen love to further deepen. I was very satisfied with the triangle’s resolution, but not so much the journey getting there.
Once more, with feeling.
Luckily, emotions do shine through, not for as long as I’d like, but the emotional chord is eventually struck, and struck quite well. Even if it at times broke my heart, I welcome that emotion— I had been desperate to feel it. The last 25% of the book or so is layered with feeling, that symphony finally playing.
It was brilliant to finally feel.
The ending is poignant, beautiful, powerful, and left me longing to peek into the story that would unravel past its final words. It’a a feeling I yearned to have throughout the book, and while it arrived later than desired, it still arrived. And I happily embraced it.
Perhaps this is exactly what the author intended— to mirror Xingyin’s own whirlpool of emotions and the defenses against expressing them. To mirror the wall she placed in her heart, the stubbornness that didn’t let her sit and settle with any emotion she didn’t immediately welcome. To be more stoic than outwardly feeling. But once Xingyin began to recognize those feelings, the story shined even more brightly.
I may walk away from this duology wishes for certain paths to have been taken rather than the ones chosen, but I also walk away holding onto this story tightly. I may not always have loved it, but I will always cherish it.
I’m glad to have explored this world one final time.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Major Ending Spoilers
And I did.
In fact, I left this sequel desiring more. Before opening the book, all I hoped was to reach the end satisfied. A clean walk away. Instead, I’m banging at the doors, desperate to be let back in because I just want one more look, I want to know what happens when the reader is led out of the story. I want want one last glimpse of this world and these characters I’ve come to know.
And all the credit to Sue Lynn Tan’s magnificent writing.
Since the first book, one thing that is absolutely undeniable in my mind is Tan’s writing. She writes gorgeously—taking a string of words and weaving poetry with them.
It’s beautifully written.
However, to be open in all feelings, sometimes that was what I felt was lacking— a narrative that could emote. Where instead of just seeing an action take place, I could feel it too. Where that poetry of words could also lead to symphonies in the heart. Some actions take place so quickly that there is no build up, no anticipation, no lead up into the thing that happens. It reads more of “Here’s an action for you.” “Ok, I’ll take it.”
Once more, with feeling.
It’s an odd thing to say to a book that continues the first’s love triangle, there’s much feeling there— but it’s one I never embraced. I wished the love triangle had resolved itself earlier to allow the chosen love to further deepen. I was very satisfied with the triangle’s resolution, but not so much the journey getting there.
Once more, with feeling.
Luckily, emotions do shine through, not for as long as I’d like, but the emotional chord is eventually struck, and struck quite well. Even if it at times broke my heart, I welcome that emotion— I had been desperate to feel it. The last 25% of the book or so is layered with feeling, that symphony finally playing.
It was brilliant to finally feel.
The ending is poignant, beautiful, powerful, and left me longing to peek into the story that would unravel past its final words. It’a a feeling I yearned to have throughout the book, and while it arrived later than desired, it still arrived. And I happily embraced it.
Perhaps this is exactly what the author intended— to mirror Xingyin’s own whirlpool of emotions and the defenses against expressing them. To mirror the wall she placed in her heart, the stubbornness that didn’t let her sit and settle with any emotion she didn’t immediately welcome. To be more stoic than outwardly feeling. But once Xingyin began to recognize those feelings, the story shined even more brightly.
I may walk away from this duology wishes for certain paths to have been taken rather than the ones chosen, but I also walk away holding onto this story tightly. I may not always have loved it, but I will always cherish it.
I’m glad to have explored this world one final time.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Major Ending Spoilers