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macgbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
REVIEW (scroll for a spoiler filled overview if you want)
Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a book I wanted to read for some time now. The book is a retelling of Chinese mythology, with a sprinkling of romance. The story primarily follows the story of Xingyin and her journey from isolated girl to honored warrior. Chinese mythology is not something I am well versed in, but the premise is fascinating and the book was captivating.
I do think there are some pacing issues within the book. The world building feels rushed at some points, almost like a training montage in a classic 90s/00s movie. While I understand if time was dedicated to every battle and every story the book would have been loooonggggg it felt like there were moments when the story was overly rushed. For example key battles are resolved in seconds rather than given the time to crescendo and fall.
Another drawback for me was Xingyins perception of herself. While she is humble, especially in terms of men, she acts in such a way that it seems as if she doesn’t play a key role in others lives. I understand she is keeping a secret from everyone, but there are times when she is so incredibly daft it’s hard to believe she is such an incredible warrior.
Overall I really enjoyed the book and fully intend on reading the next in the series.
OVERVIEW
Daughter of the moon goddess closely follows the journey of Xingyin, daughter of the moon and mortal archer Houyi . The story begins with heralding the isolation of Xingyin, her mother, and their attendant on the moon. The descriptions are luminous and illustrative, covering not only the stunning backdrop of the moon, but also the internal turmoil of the characters in isolation. We see their longing and deepest desires.
However, everything is not as it seems on the idyllic moon. The tranquility of the beginning chapters is quickly broken when Xingyin first reaches for her magic, described as floating light in her minds eye. It is after this grave error Xingyin learns of her mother’s true reality and her hidden existence on the moon. In a bid to save everyone, Xingyin flees the moon to the immortal realm.
Xingyin finds herself in the Celestial Kingdom, isolated and alone. She brings work as an attendant to an aristocratic, where she is treated badly by both her master and her fellow attendants. After one such episode, she goes to the river to clean a damaged garment when she is discovered by Crown Prince Liwei. He invites her to compete in a competition to become his companion at the Jade palace, which she eventually wins.
Once in the Jade Palace, she is instructed alongside the young prince in all subjects, including war. She is particularly adept at archery, impressing both the prince and many instructors. For nearly two years she trains, until joining the Celestial Army as an archer.
In the coming years she goes on various missions and defeats various monsters under the command on Captain Wenzhi. In one such harrowing mission, she saves the crown prince and his betrothed the Phoenix Princess. After this she is granted a favor by the Celestial Emperor. She begs for her mother’s freedom from the moon. The Celestial emperor grants her request, but only if she manages to collect the pearls of the four imprisoned dragons.
Xingyin departs with Liwei and Wenzhi in search of the dragons, but not everything is as it seems. The dragons explain that their pearls are their power, and whoever holds them has control of the dragons. Xingyin is gifted the pearls, and is immediately betrayed. She is captured by the Demon Realm and held prisoner until she manages to escape. In order to protect the dragons, Xingyin returns the dragons their power that is trapped within the pearl. While this deeply angers the Celestial Emperor, he uphold his bargain and releases Xingyin’s mother from her isolation on the moon. In the end, Xingyin returns home to her mother.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual assault and Death of parent
dielesemotte's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
3.75
Der Anfang war meiner Meinung nach etwas holprig, weil die Handlung teils sehr stark gerafft wurde. Und auch wenn ich verstehe warum, hat es mir den Einstieg sehr erschwert. Aber die Geduld hat sich ausgezahlt: Xingyin ist eine tolle Protagonistin und ihre Gewissenskonflikte waren wirklich interessant.
Ich bin bekanntermaßen kein Fan von Love Triangles, dementsprechend hat mich diese Plotline ziemlich genervt. Trotzdem finde ich Xingyin und Liwei ein tolles Paar.
Überraschenderweise waren für mich die Kampfszenen eines der Highlights in diesem Buch. Normalerweise sind das die Szenen, die ich nur überfliege. Aber hier waren sie so mitreißend und nachvollziehbar geschrieben, dass ich es quasi vor mir gesehen habe.
Ich setze jetzt erstmal Band zwei auf meine Wunschliste :)
Überraschenderweise waren für mich die Kampfszenen eines der Highlights in diesem Buch. Normalerweise sind das die Szenen, die ich nur überfliege. Aber hier waren sie so mitreißend und nachvollziehbar geschrieben, dass ich es quasi vor mir gesehen habe.
Ich setze jetzt erstmal Band zwei auf meine Wunschliste :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
alyssajp's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Medical trauma, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
llamameemaw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
lavender_chai's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, and War
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
hmunger's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
While there are valid critiques of the pacing and some plot choices, this novel never failed to enthrall me and envelope me in the world. I love the characters, as they each hold an important role in the plot and the messaging. I was truly torn between Xingyin’s choices and thought her inner dialogue, while at times extensive, was vital to the understanding of how she grew as a character and how she made sense of the world she did not grow up in. Highly enjoyed, excited to get the sequel!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, Death of parent, and Classism
runefiction's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
claire_evelyn1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
this was actually really good! i want to see more development regarding more relationships between the MC and other people, but I honestly really enjoyed this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
christineplum's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
bleepbloop's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault