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A review by queer_bookwyrm
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
slow-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
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, blood
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan is book one in the Celestial Kingdom duology. This was a fantasy romance inspired by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese Moon Goddess, and had beautiful, lyrical prose that was almost poetic.
We follow Xingyin, daughter of Chang'e, living secluded on the moon where her mother has been isolated as punishment for ingesting an immortality elixir meant for her husband. When the Celestial Empress comes to check in on Chang'e and her punishment, it is discovered that Xingyin is there illegally. With the help of their attendant, Ping'er, Xingyin escapes on a cloud, but is dropped into the Celestial Kingdom, where her very existence is a danger to her.
Xingyin gets the opportunity to become the Celestial Prince's companion and study with him to learn more about controlling her magic. Along the way they become close friends, and eventually fall in love, ill-fated as it is with him being the prince, and she with her concealed identity. Xingyin becomes an expert archer and a badass as she fights creatures and monsters, all while trying to figure out a way to free her mother from her prison. There is also a love triangle, dragons, and lots of magic.
This was a wonderful story, but I did find it a bit slow and meandering in places as we see Xingyin doing battle after battle. I did see the twist coming from a mile away, but Xingyin was a strong character, and I appreciated that. I definitely want to learn more about the demon realm here, because it's clear to Xingyin that good and evil isn't so cut and dry when the Celestial Emperor doesn't seem to be the greatest person, and the demons (and dragons) do have a point about their oppression. This is a story about freedom and enduring love.
Looking forward to book two!
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan is book one in the Celestial Kingdom duology. This was a fantasy romance inspired by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese Moon Goddess, and had beautiful, lyrical prose that was almost poetic.
We follow Xingyin, daughter of Chang'e, living secluded on the moon where her mother has been isolated as punishment for ingesting an immortality elixir meant for her husband. When the Celestial Empress comes to check in on Chang'e and her punishment, it is discovered that Xingyin is there illegally. With the help of their attendant, Ping'er, Xingyin escapes on a cloud, but is dropped into the Celestial Kingdom, where her very existence is a danger to her.
Xingyin gets the opportunity to become the Celestial Prince's companion and study with him to learn more about controlling her magic. Along the way they become close friends, and eventually fall in love, ill-fated as it is with him being the prince, and she with her concealed identity. Xingyin becomes an expert archer and a badass as she fights creatures and monsters, all while trying to figure out a way to free her mother from her prison. There is also a love triangle, dragons, and lots of magic.
This was a wonderful story, but I did find it a bit slow and meandering in places as we see Xingyin doing battle after battle. I did see the twist coming from a mile away, but Xingyin was a strong character, and I appreciated that. I definitely want to learn more about the demon realm here, because it's clear to Xingyin that good and evil isn't so cut and dry when the Celestial Emperor doesn't seem to be the greatest person, and the demons (and dragons) do have a point about their oppression. This is a story about freedom and enduring love.
Looking forward to book two!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood