Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan -a Review

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Description:
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.

Review:

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan is the first book in her The Celestial Kingdom Duology. Xingyin, our heroine, has lived all her life on the Moon with her mother, the Moon Goddess (Chang’e), who was exiled many years ago, after stealing her husband’s elixir of immortality; Chang’e had taken the elixir in order to save her unborn child’s (Xingyin) life.  Xingyin was hidden, as the Celestial Kingdom Emperor has no idea of a child living on the Moon. 

When the Celestial Empress comes to visit Chang’e, and promises to visit more often, the Moon Goddess forces her daughter to leave or she will be killed.  Xingyin travels alone and ends up in the Celestial Kingdom, and eventually meets a young man who befriends her.  In a short time, she learns that Liwei, is in fact the crown prince and to her surprise, a friendship builds with him helping her become a companion and training her how to fight with swords and archery.  Xingyin and Liwei slowly fall in love, but he is forced into a betrothal by his family, and Xingyin knows she has no future with him. Xingyin becomes a master with a bow, and receives and accepts the offer to join the army, where she excels becoming the First Archer.

What follows is Xingyin stepping up to rise up as one of the most important members of the Celestial army, as she continually faces perilous and dangerous quests, which include wild creatures and enemies, that she manages to defeat, making her reputation legendary.  Xingyin is an amazing heroine, who is strong, smart, savvy and fearless.  She starts working closely with Wenzhi, a decorated officer who is a Military leader for the Celestial Kingdom; slowly she begins to care about him, though she still loves Liwei. Though she knows he will marry someone else, but he is always still there to help her, as well as give her support. With two love interests, we watch has she tries to follow her true destination; Will she allow herself to move forward with Wenzhi, and leave Liwei to his expected marriage of convenience.

Xingyin will face some dangerous quests, which will have her facing the Celestial Emperor to bargain for a past that was done so wrong. Daughter of the Moon Goddess was a fantastic high fantasy that was set in Asian mythology, with a wonderful heroine, and great secondary characters, villains, excellent world building and action-packed adventures. 

Sue Lynn Tan wrote a magnificent, intriguing, captivating story, especially in her debut novel, which was so very well written.  I look forward to the next book in this duology.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher