Celia McMahon
Jan 15, 20225 min
Today I am featuring one of my favorite books of all time (yes, I know this with 100% certainty) DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS by Sue Lynn Tan.
Read on for all the details about this stunning debut!
Sue Lynn Tan writes fantasy inspired by the myths and legends she fell in love with as a child.
Born in Malaysia, she studied in London and France, before settling in Hong Kong with her
family.
Her love for stories began with a gift from her father, her first compilation of fairytales from
around the world. After devouring every fable she could find in the library, she discovered
fantasy books – spending much of her childhood lost in magical worlds. When not writing or
reading, she enjoys exploring the hills and reservoirs of Hong Kong, the temples, beaches and
narrow winding streets here.
Her debut, Daughter of the Moon Goddess, will be published by Harper Voyager in early 2022,
with a sequel to come. It is an enchanting fantasy of love and family, immortals and magic –
inspired by the beloved Chinese legend of Chang’e flying to the moon upon taking the elixir of
immortality.
Sue Lynn can be reached on Instagram @SuelynnTan, or on her website www.suelynntan.com
TITLE: Daughter of the Moon Goddess
AUTHOR: Sue Lynn Tan
PUBLISHER: HarperVoyagerUS
RELEASE DATE: January 11th, 2022
GENRES: Fantasy, Mythology, YA Retelling
BUY LINK: Daughter of the Moon Goddess a book by Sue Lynn Tan
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57789637-daughter-of-the-moon-goddess?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=YzFa5E7oYd&rank=1
A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm.
Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared 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, powerless, 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 emperor's son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.
To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, 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—where love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.
I'm a little mad because I don't know how to write a review for something so perfect, something so unbelievably stunning in every way. It's like going to the Grand Canyon and trying to get a photo with your iPhone; there's no way to capture the magnificence. Not. at. all. BUT I will do my best. Here we go!
Reasons to read: an epic journey, a formidable heroine, and a romance to last the ages.
Personal rating: I want to own a thousand copies of this book
I am looking at the book right now and finding new details on the cover. I feel like I'm watching one of my favorite movies and finding little things I missed the first time around. I'm thinking about Xingyin and how, despite all obstacles, held onto the promise to her mother. She'd never been out in the world, so when she landed in the Celestial Kingdom, she had no allies, no way of knowing what she was supposed to do with her life. In a way, I related to her because my own life was sheltered, so when I was cast out into the workforce and eventually married, I did not know what it took to survive until I was faced with the obstacles I faced. There was no guidance and no preparation. But like myself, Xingyin learned quickly that the way to get ahead was to be proactive.
"I was no longer a child willing to drift with the tide-I would steer against the current if I had to."
Xingyin enters to become a companion to Prince Liwei, but her intentions were not merely for status but to learn to channel her magic. Years pass and the friendship between the prince and Xingyin become something like love. But when Liwei's mother announces his betrothal to the princess of the Phoenix Kingdom, she makes the decision to join the Celestial Army in order to gain a Crimson Lion Talisman, the highest favor awarded by the emperor himself. The talisman will grant her a promise: a promise to set her mother free.
Part 2 of the book sees Xingyin as one of the best archers around, doing her part to win the favor of the emperor by taking the most dangerous missions. She works closely with Captain Wenzhi and eventually grows to love him. But the shadow of her lost love keeps appearing, but she does her best to not let it throw her off balance and keep her focus.
I kept screaming at the page by this point. Xingyin and Liwei are ENDGAME, but I did love Wenzhi by this point in the book and secretly wanted this to go the way of Iron Widow (hehe). I digress...
The whole vibe of this book was gorgeous and atmospheric. Sue Lynn's writing is flowery at times but so descriptive that it puts you right into this magical world and added a layer of beauty to the words. The world-building is expansive and every kingdom and land is unique. BTW the physical book does include a map and I jumped for joy because it was not included in the e-galley which I initially read.
Let's be honest, I'm not going to say one bad thing about this book other than it ended when I wanted it to go on forever. I'm committed to the series and to the author and will follow her career for years to come.
This book is a treasure.
January 6th
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We Write at Dawn — Favorite Quotes
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Emelie’s Books — Mood Board
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Books and Zebras — Review
PopTheButterfly Reads — Review
HerBookishObsession – Review
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Rampant Reading Reviews — Favorite Quotes
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Celia’s Reads — Review
Vivaciously Vintage — Bookish Playlist/Favorite Quotes
Chasing Chapters — Favorite Quotes/Favorite Things/Review in Memes
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Lady Readsalot Reviews — Review
Wilted Pages — Review
Sheaf & Ink — Review
HerBookishObsession – Review