A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess, Chang’e , in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm and sets her on a dangerous path—where choices come with deadly consequences, and she risks losing more than her heart.
Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the powerful Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.
Alone, untrained, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the Crown Prince, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the emperor’s son.
To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies. When treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, however, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess begins an enchanting, romantic duology which weaves ancient Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of immortals and magic, of loss and sacrifice—where love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.
My Review:
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan immediately drew me into her beautiful fantasy world and I didn’t want to leave. This beautifully written book is just as gorgeous inside as the cover.
Xingyin’s mother is the Moon Goddess and she has been exiled to the moon for drinking an immortal elixir that was meant for her husband, Xingyin’s father. The Celestial Emperor and Empress do not know about Xingyin’s existence. When Xingyin accidentally uses her power, the Celestial Empress is immediately suspicious of the Moon Goddess. In a panic, the Moon Goddess sends Xingyin to safety, but Xingyin ends up in the Celestial Empire and ends up as a servant for the daughter of a powerful immortal Nobel. Eventually, she ends up serving the prince of the Celestial Empire, as a companion and they train together as warriors. Xingyin has a talent for archery, and after time, she enters the Celestial army.
I don’t read much fantasy, so I’m not sure how this book stacks up against other fantasy books. But, as an avid reader, I’ll have to say it grabbed me and entertained me and I was completely immersed into the fantasy world the author developed. I loved the main character Xingyin and loved seeing her grow and become a courageous warrior. She stayed true to her motivation to release her mother from exile, and her love for her mother never wavered.
The first part of the book was about character and world-building and dragged just a bit, but once the action started, it pulled me along until the end. This book is both lyrically written and action-packed, with a lot of twists and turns.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess is the first book in a duology. I thought this first book in the duology ended satisfactorily and I can’t imagine what the second book will be about. But, I’ll be first in line to get her second book because I absolutely loved being in this world with these characters.
I highly recommend Daughter of the Moon Goddess to anyone who loves fantasy. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
UK Version Cover:
I thought I’d share the UK version of the cover as it’s very pretty too!
The cover of this book is stunning. It’s so great to hear that it’s written just as beautifully. I don’t read much fantasy either, but I’d definitely love to check this one out. Thank you for sharing your review!
I often prefer UK covers, but the US cover for this one is amazing. I don’t read a lot of fantasy, but this sounds wonderful. I love the sound of the main character. Wonderful review Wendy.
Lydia
Woohoo! I’m glad you enjoyed this one so much.
I used to read a ton of fantasy but have wandered away from the genre in recent years for the most part. Maybe this will be the book that lures me back. 🙂
[…] ShalvisWednesday: Can’t Wait Wednesday #29: Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan HigginsThursday: Book Review: Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn TanFriday: Book Review: On a Night Like This by Lindsey KelkSaturday: Stacking the ShelvesSunday: The […]
I always love Asian-inspired fantasy and this one sounds like a good addition to that sub-genre/distinction. Excellent review! I’ll definitely be keeping this one in mind ❤️
I have seen this book a few times here and there but I still don’t know if I want to read it as most fantasies seems to keep disappointing me and as this is a duology, I wonder if it’s not better to read it when both books are released.
Anyway, thank you for dropping by blog. Have a lovely day.
I do read fantasy from time to time even if not very often. But this one’s been catching my eye from your previous posts. Glad to hear that it turned out a good one. The Chinese mythology aspects certainly sound interesting.
I definitely want to read this! I’m really glad that you enjoyed your journey into fantasy novels I have to say that I do prefer the American cover though.
The cover of this book is stunning. It’s so great to hear that it’s written just as beautifully. I don’t read much fantasy either, but I’d definitely love to check this one out. Thank you for sharing your review!
Thank you! It was so good!
I love the covers. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’m adding it to Goodreads! 📚
Thank you! Hope you enjoy it!
I often prefer UK covers, but the US cover for this one is amazing. I don’t read a lot of fantasy, but this sounds wonderful. I love the sound of the main character. Wonderful review Wendy.
Woohoo! I’m glad you enjoyed this one so much.
I used to read a ton of fantasy but have wandered away from the genre in recent years for the most part. Maybe this will be the book that lures me back. 🙂
It sure was a good one. I don’t read much fantasy, but I loved this.
Both covers are stunning! And it sounds like what is on the inside matches what is on the outside.
Thank you Pam, it was a good one for sure.
[…] ShalvisWednesday: Can’t Wait Wednesday #29: Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan HigginsThursday: Book Review: Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn TanFriday: Book Review: On a Night Like This by Lindsey KelkSaturday: Stacking the ShelvesSunday: The […]
This sounds like an amazing fantasy book! And both covers are SO gorgeous as well. 😍
It was really good, Stephanie!
This cover 😍 Wonderfully review. Definitely adding this one to my TBR
Thank you Rae, I hope you enjoy it!
I always love Asian-inspired fantasy and this one sounds like a good addition to that sub-genre/distinction. Excellent review! I’ll definitely be keeping this one in mind ❤️
I have seen this book a few times here and there but I still don’t know if I want to read it as most fantasies seems to keep disappointing me and as this is a duology, I wonder if it’s not better to read it when both books are released.
Anyway, thank you for dropping by blog. Have a lovely day.
Oh, that’s a good idea to wait for the second book.
This one’s been catching my eye from your previous posts. Sounds really interesting, especially the elements of Chinese mythology
Oops I ended up posting twice. My first comment wouldn’t get posted so i tried again, and both appeared together
No worries! I’ve done that! I’m just glad you’re here! 🙂
I do read fantasy from time to time even if not very often. But this one’s been catching my eye from your previous posts. Glad to hear that it turned out a good one. The Chinese mythology aspects certainly sound interesting.
Thank you Mallika!
That cover is amazing! I don’t often read fantasy either, but this sounds like one I’d enjoy. Adding to my Goodreads list now!
Thank you Jolene!
Great review, I’m not a big reader of fantasy either so I’m never sure which ones to try 😊
I know! There are so many fantasy books out there, it’s so tough to figure out what to read.
The cover is gorgeous! Wonderful review. I am going to add to my wishlist 🙂
Thank you Kimberly. It was so good!
I definitely want to read this! I’m really glad that you enjoyed your journey into fantasy novels I have to say that I do prefer the American cover though.
It was so good! Thank you Janette!