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avrija's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a good book. Longer than my usual ones but good nonetheless. I really liked Xingyin as a character. She was very different from the typical “strong female character” stereotype in a way that she never downplayed other women or was against femininity. She was strong in every way and not only because she was a soldier. I love that her honour and pride is so important to her and really does shape her character in an interesting way. I also loved Liwei as a character and their interactions; their interactions felt so tender and comforting to read about and I just love them together. Wenzhi also was an interesting character and felt so different to Liwei in that love corner that it made for interesting interactions. As for the side characters - i felt a lot of them were quite similar. Shuxiao had a nice backstory that could have easily added to her relationship with Xingyin and how they interact but it wasn’t very utilised as the story did focus on the romance. As for the plot — it’s there, definitely, but saving her mother often did take a backseat to the love story. Considering this is a romance book not too surprising but it was mentioned often enough and played into Xingyins characterisation and choices in a believable way that made it interesting to read even when a scene technically didn’t advance the plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual harassment
hue's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
The writing is a bit much. It's so heavily floral it sort of ruins the course of the story. I'm not a fan of the passage of time within the story either. It's rather clunky, and the sudden 2 year time skip by chapter 9 was rather strange.
The romance seemed rather. . . forced. They like each other because??? They were close? It didn't really work as well as the Author might've wanted, which was a shame because individually Liwei and Xingyin were interesting enough. Together? Not so much.
And then the addition of a rather awkward love triangle. Yeah, no.
However, I really did like Xingyin as a main character. She's strong willed and fierce, gentle and soft, and she stands up for herlsef and her choices. When she finds out about Liwei's political marriage, she chooses herself rather than a position where he'd be more comfortable than her. As abrupt as it was, it was a good choice. She also keeps her goal in her mind, and her want to save her mother is her driving force throughout the book which I really liked.
It is a bit like the story itself doesn't know where the plot is going and why, which was why it felt so stilted and . . odd at times. The "missions"(?) she was sent on were so detached from the main story I wondered why they were there at all.
All in all, not a bad read just rather clunky and boring at times. I might still pick up the next volume since there is only the two. I'd like to know what happens next, especially with the Moon Goddess and Xingyin.
The romance seemed rather. . . forced. They like each other because??? They were close? It didn't really work as well as the Author might've wanted, which was a shame because individually Liwei and Xingyin were interesting enough. Together? Not so much.
And then the addition of a rather awkward love triangle. Yeah, no.
However, I really did like Xingyin as a main character. She's strong willed and fierce, gentle and soft, and she stands up for herlsef and her choices.
It is a bit like the story itself doesn't know where the plot is going and why, which was why it felt so stilted and . . odd at times. The "missions"(?) she was sent on were so detached from the main story I wondered why they were there at all.
All in all, not a bad read just rather clunky and boring at times. I might still pick up the next volume since there is only the two. I'd like to know what happens next, especially with the Moon Goddess and Xingyin.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and War
lizboyce's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this story. I have not interacted much with Chinese mythology and was captivated by this story and world. You follow the main character’s hero’s journey as she navigates tricky politics, love, friendship, and even betrayal.
At times it was a bit slow but the pacing picks up at the end. There was a twist I didn’t see coming at all, which is always a fun feeling. Overall I would recommend this book and did quite enjoy reading it. The only reason I did not give it a full 5 stars is because I think to fully appreciate the story, you should enter in with some background knowledge of the myths this book is based on. I had to stop more than once to google certain myths so I could better follow what was happening.
At times it was a bit slow but the pacing picks up at the end. There was a twist I didn’t see coming at all, which is always a fun feeling. Overall I would recommend this book and did quite enjoy reading it. The only reason I did not give it a full 5 stars is because I think to fully appreciate the story, you should enter in with some background knowledge of the myths this book is based on. I had to stop more than once to google certain myths so I could better follow what was happening.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
amandaboyer's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
hiddeninfantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
alanis_thespookyreader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault
mpbookreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
a_alves00's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and War
lujisa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Torture and Sexual harassment
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