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haley_reads_books'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: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Terminal illness, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Kidnapping
foreverinastory's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Without any spoilers, Heart of the Sun Warrior has the same charm as Daughter of the Moon Goddess. We see Xingyin continue to grow as a person and I love her character so much. She’s so easy to relate to and root for. We get to see Xingyin start to figure and decide what and who she wants in her life. I really liked the message that just because you love someone, doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your every happiness for them. The ending turned out even better than what I had hoped for! Highly recommend this duology for lovers of mythology, legends and epic fantasy worlds!
CWs: Death, grief, war, violence, child death, blood, murder, fire/fire injury, injury/injury detail, death of parent, alcohol consumption (wine).
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
samchase112's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
I’ve seen this book described as a C-drama, and I wholeheartedly agree. It has the emotionality and cinematic scope of a well-done fantasy drama, and I love that! Maybe not my personal favorite genre, but I can certainly see how it would appeal to so many others.
All in all, I am truly glad I finished out this series — it’s helped remind me of my love for fantasy, and for that I’m grateful.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, and War
Minor: Confinement and Kidnapping
theespressoedition's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Death, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
daniellekat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, War, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent
matcha_pages's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
There were parts I enjoyed, the gorgeous descriptions, consequences from the first book playing out, and exploration of morally grey choices. The story starts off strong, we face a new villain playing the long game and uncover imperial schemes. We learn the backstory of several characters adding to the richness and complexity of the Celestial Kingdom.
Unfortunately as the book continued, the plot started to meander and break apart. There were too many side plots each with it's own bad guy, the magic system lost it's logic, and the ending was doubly disappointing. This is the most undecisive love triangle I've ever read. There's no romantic tension or engaging rivalry (like the first book). The hottest immortal bachelors throw themselves at Xingyin, but she can't accept her "true" feelings or make up her mind until the last few pages, literally.
I still love the Celestial Kingdom, just not this one
Moderate: Child death, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
onemamareads'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
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
clairew97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.0
The plot was otherwise exquisite, if a little trite bc of the dad thing. The stakes were high, the battles and magic were fun: small details from the first book pulled into large plot points in this one; all good stuff. Xingyin’s narrative voice was a bit more grating in this one, but to be fair she’s dealing with a lot. Tan knows how to truly fill 500 pages with riveting content and a lot of authors should be taking notes!
That being said, the romantic subplot was 100% death as redemption bullshit. Wenzhi’s entire char this book was “im so sorry I violated your human rights, caused you immense pain, and tried to lock you into a relationship. I’m going to harass you every day until you forgive me” ?????? it’s been a minute since I read the last book but ultimately I thought Xingyin had learned her lesson about how little he seemed to respect her opinions when it came to something he wanted??? like what the fuck kind of “oh but he LOVES me” handwaving??? Sure, he risked his life for her a ton in this book…as he should have, as payment for literally trying to imprison her!!… how is that a declaration of love? He dies and Xingyin just… magically realizes she does forgive him, despite being torn apart about it the whole 500 pages? The turmoil was pretty realistic up until that point, then it felt like a switch was flipped bc of a grand gesture. it was so forced I can’t even wrap my head around it. If this was going to be the outcome, it could’ve been much more organic than “maybe i don’t hate him… let’s kiss… okay let’s spend the rest of our lives together”
And don’t get me wrong I wasn’t rooting for Liwei by any means, he is extremely oblivious to Xingyins feelings in this book and did not at all need to be the endgame. Also, his being the secondary love interest was telegraphed a while back. Personally, neither of these men redeemed themselves enough to deserve Xingyin, but I guess the author had to choose one to avoid pissing off the romance-obsessed camp?
I can’t put my finger on why this felt like such a letdown. Maybe because Xingyin was such a strong, independent character in the last book, fighting for her family and her home; here it feels like her story ends with her waiting for scraps of a guy who very easily manipulated her for months (years?) and then fucked her over, with very little atonement or time alone …. it could’ve at least been a slower burn so it didn’t feel so foolish for her to jump into waiting for him as a mortal… eh. this is the second sequel to a beloved book that disappointed me this year, maybe it’s a me problem
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and War
Moderate: Misogyny
navayiota'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
5.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Torture, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Alcohol