Daughter of the Moon Goddess: An instant Sunday Times Top 5 bestseller, a sweeping and romantic debut fantasy (The Celestial Kingdom Duology, Book 1)

Really enjoyed this book, which I'm glad about, because not only have I been on a romantasy kick recently but I also brought the special edition companion to the duet from Fairyloot due to the cover being pretty lool. And so, I wanted to see if I actually liked the books before trying to source the special editions for this book and the second book.This plot seemed to be focused around a lot of old Chinese myths and legends - I saw somewhere that it was a reimagined telling? - but I liked how it dipped into the Chinese culture and stories as it reminded me of Mulan and another show I used to watch called W.I.T.C.H. which also had a storyline about 'The Four Dragons.'I really liked the backstory for this. The world building was great, and although this was a very long book, at no point did I get bored. I think fantasy books do have more scope to develop their world building and can get away with being longer, but I still like when it doesn't feel too lengthy, instead drawing me in and making the world more imaginable.Whilst I do feel like some of the fighting scenes felt a little rushed and there could've been more detail in the action, I didn't really mind it too much because all the other scenes were very detailed. Likewise, this had less romance than I'm used to, but it ran as a nice secondary plot and I liked that the focus wasn't solely about that. Although, the love triangle situation did have me going back and forth as to who I was rooting for and the decisions that were made!The FMC had a good story arc too. We initially see her as being talented but quite sheltered and unaware of her true strengths. We gradually get to witness her transformation into becoming more open in certain aspects and branching out without becoming overly cocky.Was very much looking forward to the second part of this duet as imo, this technically could've worked as a standalone with the way it ended. However, I would like to know more about certain issues that occurred and I'm glad it is a duet as it makes it more realistic that other issues would crop up later down the line, rather than just having a bittersweet ending and no further details.

Lush, evocative and heartfelt, this sweeping debut is a mythological love story and coming-of-age story inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess. And I can’t start this review without talking about that gorgeous cover. It is a work of art that screams ‘read me’, and the Fairyloot version just takes things to another level. As soon as I saw it I knew this was a book I had to read, and my only regret is that I waited so long to do so.Xingyin has been raised on the moon. It is an isolated life, and as she grows, so does her desire to explore and experience new things—a wish that is about to come true in the worst possible way. When her magic flares, Xingyin discovers that her mother, Chang’e, is imprisoned in the moon as punishment for stealing the elixir of immortality from the Celestial Emperor and that her own existence is a secret. Faced with the danger of discovery, her mother’s attendant, Ping’er, helps Xingyin flee her home, and she is forced to hide in the Celestial Kingdom, concealing her identity while she works as a servant. But a chance meeting changes her destiny, and she is chosen to train alongside Crown Prince Liwei, learning battle skills and mastering her magic, eventually becoming an elite warrior who is revered throughout the Celestial Kingdom. A skill she hopes will win the Emperor’s favour and a chance to finally free her mother.This mesmerising debut is a fantasy lovers’ dream. Enchanting and dreamlike, it is filled with mythical creatures, epic battles, humour, passion and gripping tension. It is both ambitious in scope and intimate in detail, author Sue Lynn Tan’s vivid imagery bringing her richly imagined world to life as clearly as if it was on a movie screen in front of me. Tan also paints pictures with prose that is almost poetic, each word carefully chosen to propel me into her magical world.Xingyin is a likeable heroine who is easy to root for. She begins the story full of wide-eyed innocence and daydreams, and we follow her journey of self-discovery as she grows into a fierce, courageous warrior with a fire that cannot be extinguished. I was rooting for her from the start. I loved the beautiful mother/daughter bond she and Chang’e shared and trying to guess if her friends-to-lovers romance with Prince Liwei would have a happy ending.A dazzling and gloriously escapist fantasy that pulls on the heartstrings, Daughters of the Moon Goddess is a debut not to be missed.

I loved the depth of the characters, the reality of the world and the pace of the storytelling. A shining star of a tale.

I absolutely got lost in the brilliant story and the descriptions of the worlds in which it was set. Absolutely fantastic writing

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I started this book but it wasn't what I got.Did I enjoy it?...YesWas it predictable?....NoWould I re-read it?...YesI think this is one of those books that is going to stay with me. I think it was beautifully written and I cannot wait to read The Heart of the Sun Warrior. I love the world that Sue Lynn Tan created here. The fact that this was her debut astounds me as it is such a good book.Xingyin is beautifully written and I love that after all the time she spent away from her mother she still fought for her.I don't know much about Chinese mythology but I am all here for the Eastern mythology retellings now - give them all to me.

After watching some Chinese dramas, I tried looking for books in English that were similar but had no luck until this one. I love stories about love and the Celestial Kingdom. I highly recommend this book, loved every minute and it took me out of my reading slump.

It’s one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. There’s so many details that I need to read over and over again. Romance, magic, intrigue… it’s perfect!

One of the best reads yet. I am so excited for the next book!!!This is a must read. The characters are beautiful, hateful, humble, true, and scary at times. But the heart of a lion is what the moon goddesses daughter has. And her unyielding honor is beautiful to behold. If we could all be like her…all worlds would be worth living in.Enjoy! You won’t be disappointed!

Livro é lindo. Mas vale a pena comprar a edição em português, a capa também é perfeita. Comprei essa edição pq amo ter várias edições de livros que adoro. 💖

One of my TBR books. Fast delivery. A small part at the front bottom of the hardcover is a little damaged, but that can be ignored. Love the cover, the print and price of the book.