Daughter of the Moon Goddess

eBook, 448 pages

English language

Published Jan. 11, 2022 by Harper Voyager.

ISBN:: 978-0-06-303132-6

(1 review)

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 …

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.

7 editions

Flauschbuch reviewed Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan (The Celestial Kingdom Duology, #1)

Great world-building

4 stars

The big draw of this book (to me, anyway) is the world-building which is rather unique. The story is based on a Chinese folktale but unlike other fantasy books rooted in Chinese falktales and mythology this one is set in the heavens, i.e. various immortal realms, and among Immortals. At times that made it hard for me to imagine how travelling between the realms really worked and the action set piece towards the end a bit confusing but other than that, I found it intriguing. The main characters are well-rounded and believable and I liked Xingyin's path in the Celestial Kingdom and the slower pace of that part. The writing style and the pacing are also a bit different from other fantasy books. I liked the realistic and bitter-sweet ending. Though it's part 1 of a duology it's a self-contained story. If you're into world-building, it's worth checking out.