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chrisljm's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Another book that didn’t live up to the hype. The writing is flowery and pretty, but that’s it. The plot and characters lack depth and it felt like 400+ pages of just trying to fit every plot point the author had planned.
The characters were so boring. Xingyin the female main character, is two-dimensional and lacks growth, but the worst thing to be done to her character was to end up having her centered around her love interests. The romance was definitely the worst thing about the book, and I could not have cared less. The characters had no chemistry, the two male leads had no personality, and the development in their relationships came off even worse because the pacing in the story was poorly done.
This book had me apathetic at best. The romance? Didn’t care. Xingyin only likes these boys because they’re there and the male leads. The plot? Also didn’t care. It’s hard to feel bad for any of her issues when there is no emotional impact in the writing, and so much telling and no showing.
This book just lacked in so much: personality, depth, climax, tension. The only thing it has going for it is pretty words but at the end of the day, who cares.
And you know what. You know how ridiculous it felt, reading about how hurt Xingyin was that Lingwei chose another woman, only for her to tell Wenzhi she wants to leave the army with him and be with him in the next fucking line. And then for Lingwei to come back in the next scene and have her be depressed over him again. Girl stfu.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Sexism, Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Stalking and Pregnancy
booksthatburn's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
The worldbuilding unfolds slowly, with early mentions of the various kingdoms supplemented later on by more detailed descriptions once Xingyin actually travels there. The descriptions are evocative but not overwhelming, tending to focus more on her thoughts about what she observes. There’s a strong focus on Xingyin’s internal life, as her relationships get more complicated but she’s still keeping her parentage a secret. She’s the daughter of the moon goddess, having grown up in secret since her mother was exiled to the moon after claiming the immortality meant for her husband, Xingyin’s father.
I like the first third and I love the second half, in between those sections the pacing gets a little weird though it’s still pretty good. Mid-book events which in some other story might be a training montage instead are collapsed into a very brief mention as several years are skipped at once. Xingyin ends up in the Celestial palace, surrounded by people who despise her for her class and who would detest her if they knew who her mother really was. After spending several years as the prince’s companion, she tries to make her own way by excelling at arms, becoming a formidable archer. Her goal is to earn a favor from the emperor in order to request her mother’s freedom.
Once place where this excels is in relationships, specifically the way that Xingyin’s relationships with Prince Liwei and Captain Wenzhi change over time. It is a love triangle, but one which at each stage feels like there are good reasons for the choices Xingyin is making. She proceeds as well as she can while figuring out who she wants, if anyone. I love the ending, it pulls things together in a fantastic way and lays the ground for what the sequel might cover while still letting this first book feel complete.
I like the first third and I love the second half, in between those sections the pacing gets a little weird though it’s still pretty good. Mid-book events which in some other story might be a training montage instead are collapsed into a very brief mention as several years are skipped at once. Xingyin ends up in the Celestial palace, surrounded by people who despise her for her class and who would detest her if they knew who her mother really was. After spending several years as the prince’s companion, she tries to make her own way by excelling at arms, becoming a formidable archer. Her goal is to earn a favor from the emperor in order to request her mother’s freedom.
Once place where this excels is in relationships, specifically the way that Xingyin’s relationships with Prince Liwei and Captain Wenzhi change over time. It is a love triangle, but one which at each stage feels like there are good reasons for the choices Xingyin is making. She proceeds as well as she can while figuring out who she wants, if anyone. I love the ending, it pulls things together in a fantastic way and lays the ground for what the sequel might cover while still letting this first book feel complete.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Torture, Vomit, Grief, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
kels_18's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This did not live up to my expectations. I really wish that I liked this more than I did, but there were too many time skips and difference in locations, jumping from one thing to another for there to really be any cohesive thought process from me. I don’t know how this could be turned into a duology. Too much happened in this book, way too much. The only thing tying everything together was Xingyin’s quest to free her mother from her prison on the Moon. That was the only thing tying everything together. Then you add in the love triangle between the two main MMCs, ugh. These two men you jump off of a cliff for all I care.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Violence, and War
Minor: Sexual assault
rnbhargava's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book is a very fun and emotional adventure. My biggest gripe with the book is that the protagonist has the most abundant plot armor around, even in situations that should be seriously harming toward her. Minor quibble I guess for essentially a chosen one type fantasy action adventure.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Grief, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
There is violence throughout this story but the characters are immortals so that can undercut some of the tension a tiny bit. The author specifically has to write in that something is limiting their natural resilience but then there are healing magics to help characters recover. It leads to more emotional tension when paired with the action. I quite liked this novel and will read the follow up. That said the protagonist’s plot armor is abundant and strong. If that bothers you perhaps stay away. It’s a fun mythological adventure otherwisekindra_demi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
3.75
This was my first story of Chang’e and Houyi and I devoured it! I always love reading retellings of myths and legends from various cultures of the world.
There are times where cliché tropes can still be well done, and I believe Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a case of that. The major twist isn’t the most shocking thing, but that being said, the build up to the twist makes it still hurt a bit when you find out.
I will own I am a sucker for a messy love story with two interests fighting for the main character’s attention, and this book is full of that. While it is technically a subplot line, it is a very prominent part of the story. There are several smaller storylines that are included simply to build the romance part of the plot.
The writing style is very descriptive (with a heavy repetition of certain words *cough* jade *cough*) so if that is not something you enjoy, I would caution you with this book.
I think my one major critique is the fact that the story wanted to show so many small moments between the main character and the characters surrounding her that it felt that many of the scenes were wrapped up nicely (relatively speaking. I mean this is a book about a girl who becomes a soldier so…)
Overall though, this was a super nice read if you want a story about what we will do to help those we love (with a nice side of messy romance). I am super excited for the next book to come out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, Kidnapping, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
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: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Confinement, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Torture, Kidnapping, Grief, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Sexism, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol