Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the early opportunity to read one of my MOST anticipated 2022 releases! Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a YA retelling of the classic Chinese myth that follows the secret daughter of Chang’e as she seeks a way to free her mother. Over many years, we follow Xingyin as she goes on the run in the Celestial Kingdom, competes to enter the Celestial Palace, and finally becomes a warrior in the immortal realm.

This book was easily one of the most vibrant and luscious fantasies I’ve ever read. I usually have trouble visualizing while I’m reading but with this book I felt like I could step right inside its world and smell the peach blossoms. The imagery was incredibly vivid and detailed. It really felt like a tv show come to life and the plot followed a similar pattern with many unique quests, mysterious royals, and magical objects. I was entranced by the world-building.

However, I did have several issues that keep me from rating a full five stars. I’m just so tired of love triangles! I think the accelerated timeline added to my confusion as Xingyin seemed to go from saying xyz with love interest #1 to doing xyz with love interest #2 in just a few pages. This book really could have been 2 or even 3 books alone with the amount of plot crammed in. I must confess after the whirlwind of this first book I have no idea what the next chapter of the series will hold but I’m excited to find out!

First, let's talk about this book cover. It is absolutely gorgeous! I'd be lying if I said it had no impact on my interest in this book. Sue Lynn Tan tweeted in her cover reveal that Kuri Huang did this edition's stunning work of art. They say to never judge a book by its cover, but guilty as charged in this case.

I really enjoyed reading this Chinese mythology-inspired journey about Xingyin, daughter of the moon goddess, Chang'e. This is a very character-driven book, though there is enough action that one could argue it's also quite plot-driven. Tan's writing allows the reader an exceptional view into Xingyin's thoughts and goals. There is no ambiguity regarding what matters most to Xingyin: freeing her mother from the Celestial Emperor's exile. From the moment she finds herself in royal company she plays the long game. However, Xingyin is not duplicitous by nature. She struggles inwardly with the secret she harbors about her identity. As she works towards her end goal, she reminds herself to deeply bury the yearning to share who she is with those she loves. The timing must be right.

Tan does a wonderful job describing Xingyin's world. As someone who's not very familiar with Chinese mythology, architecture, or dress, I found this very helpful. Conversely, I also felt, at times, some scenes and inner monologues were overly described. However, that nitpicky critique is more personal preference-based and only applies to a few passages. Overall, I greatly enjoyed the amount of description provided by Tan.

The miscommunication (or lack thereof) trope frustrated me, though. (I'm learning that this trope isn't my favorite.) Xingyin suddenly finds herself on the run because her mother never fully explains why she's forbidden to do something. Xingyin is almost a young adult, yet her mother holds back information. Personally, I'd find it more compelling if a character has a moment of weakness and "disobeys," despite knowing what it is they're doing.

However, I did enjoy the love triangle. The love interests develop realistically, that is, over time and through mutual trust and joint experiences. I can't express enough how much I appreciate that; clearly instalove is not my jam. There is jealousy, but court decorum helps to tamp down on displays of dominance. Xingyin's inner monologue serves to show the nuance of her feelings between the two male love interests.

There are a lot of quests in the middle portion of this story. These showcase Xingyin's personal growth and her devotion to her mother. There are a couple of scenes where Xingyin's decisions surprised me, though. Given her extensive training, and the number of times the story mentions she learns quickly, I expected her to react differently during a couple of fight scenes. Then again, who am I to judge or know how someone might react during a battle? No one is perfect, immortal or not.

In short, feel free to judge this book by its cover. It definitely lives up to book cover-induced expectations. This book is perfect for those who love mythology retellings, strong female protagonists, quests, forbidden love, and betrayal.

The writing and use of language in this book is absolutely whimsical. The plot of the book was also an interesting concept. Unfortunately, however, all I can say for the rest of the book is that it was fine. It wasn't particularly memorable for me, personally, and was a bit of a slog in some places.

This book has the most beautiful cover and the colorful swirls and flowers are so magical.

The story is set in three parts where Xingyin the daughter of the Moon Goddess, she discovers her heritage and tries to redeem her mother once she discovers she had been outcast and imprisoned on the moon. In order to protect her, her mother had sent her away and she ended up in the Celestial Kingdom. Her journey taking her to the palace then to the army. Where her bravery and skill at the bow and arrow earned her the heart of two very handsome men. It's not quite a love triangle though.
I loved how strong Xingyin is and how through her pain and betrayal that she learned, she decided she would make her own decisions on her missions and campaigns in the army.
I adore strong female characters and precision skills. And the monsters she fought were horrendous.

This book is so beautiful in it's prose so lyrical and I loved how descriptive the world was.

I loved this book! Definite 5⭐ from me!!

Thank you Avon and net galley for my gifted copy for my honest and voluntary review.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a lovely debut with prose that is nostalgic. It feels like reading a never-ending fable in all the best ways, with turn after turn, adventure, danger, betrayal, friendship, and love. The characters are overall likable and nuanced, though I did find myself exasperated by Xingyin at times. I was surprised to find this was actually a duology, since so much is packed into this one book, but I'm excited to see what comes next!

Thank you to the publisher for an e-ARC through Netgalley!

Thank you to NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

This book is absolutely captivating. It is the start of a duology, but this book on its own is three parts, each one an epic in its own right. This story is 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, but it is so much more than that. I grew up with a lot of Japanese folklore & fairytales, with a few other East Asian stories thrown in here and there, so the ability to read a fantasy debut that bridges the line between YA and Adult based on a Chinese legend I had never heard of before was really exciting. I now want to learn the original legend and see where the differences lie, because this book was beyond anything I could have expected.

Each character is not only well developed but nuanced. Good and bad are not so clearly delineated for some of the characters (some are pretty clear in my opinion), which I think brings depth to the story. I was never quite sure where the story was going to go next, and I had a hard time putting this book down as things progressed. While it is a duology, I do appreciate that the ending was not so painful that I am going to be counting down the days for the sequel; I appreciate when a book can stand on its own even when I know what loose ends can be tied up, and where the story might continue to go in the next book.

I appreciate the opportunity to have read this book so much and I cannot wait to read the second one. I also cannot wait to read anything else Sue Lynn Tan writes. Easily 5/5

Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a sparkling story filled with love, hope, and magic. The beautiful prose draws you in while the plot and characters keep you coming back for more. This along with the lush world-building made this story unforgettable. While it starts out a bit slow, by the end, Sue Lynn Tan will have you at the edge of your seat.

My one complaint is that at times, I felt like the pacing was off. But the fairytale-like prose, well fleshed out characters, and heart-stopping action made up for it. Overall, if you were a fan of Circe or Six Crimson Cranes, I think you will really enjoy this story. And it is the perfect book if you are looking to branch out into more adult fantasy.

I award this book eight million stars. This read absolutely blew me away and I refuse to believe that this is the author's debut novel. There's just so much to love here.

First of all, Tan's writing is stunning. It's very atmospheric and leads to a very immersive experience. She perfectly balances descriptive writing with allowing the reader's imagination to take over and provide the rest. I couldn't get enough of her descriptions though - tell me more about flower blossoms and how the moon shines and how the wind blows someone's hair to brush against another person's cheek. Give me more towering pillars and spicy smelling cinnamon wood and cool jade tiles. I could read her writing forever and never tire of it. It's beyond beautiful.

The same delicate hand she uses when writing descriptions applies to the lore in this book as well. This book has A TON of mythology, political history, rival territories, and much more, but as a reader I never felt it bog down the story. Tan sprinkles in little pieces here and there and trusts the reader to put the overarching bits together on their own and it's very effective. I found myself wanting more and more tiny tastes at times when I would normally be feeling taken out of the story.

She's also crafted some really great characters. They perfectly walk that line between being believable people and being too fantastical for this world. Their motivations and reactions are very human and relatable, while still maintaining that untouchable, powerful aura of immortal beings who wield magic. Xingyin's journey is especially compelling. Tan does a great job making her a protagonist that you really want to root for.

I also really enjoyed the romantic angle to this book, which is surprising coming from me. I can usually take or leave romance elements in fantasy reads, but this one is so well crafted that not only did I find myself deeply invested, I found myself caring for BOTH love interests. I spent most of this book without picking a favorite in the love triangle, swapping back and forth between the two depending on where we are in the story. Not sure if I will be alone in feeling this way, but to me, that seems like a huge credit to Tan's writing that I spent so much time invested in both love interests and having as difficult a time choosing between them as Xingyin herself.

Although this is the first in a duology, I deeply respect Tan's choice to wrap up the primary arc within this story. It was nice reading something and having a sense of resolution while still getting a hint of where the sequel is heading. It looks like this sequel is scheduled for later this year and I absolutely cannot wait.

Summary: beautifully written, incredibly immersive fantasy chockful of lore, political drama, magical combat, a swoonworthy love triangle, and a monumental quest. Still can't believe this is the author's debut (so talented!!!). Cannot recommend highly enough. Already want to read this again and cannot wait to read the second one.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an advance copy in exchange for review.

This was a very beautiful book to read. Lush descriptions and great world building, I would recommend this to young adult readers who enjoy a fantasy novel. This book however was not for me in particular as I prefer more adult fantasy, overall I would still say that this is a fantastic debut that will keep young people reading.

First off, look at that cover! I chose to read this book 100% based on the beautiful cover. I’m just sayin’ it’s gorgeous.

I enjoyed the story a lot too. I liked the mythos, the characters, and the emotional turmoil as people tried to do the right thing in difficult situations. I thought the writing lyrical and the descriptions arresting.

I did think Xingyin suffered a little bit from ‘special girl’ syndrome. She was strong, loyal, honorable, and willing to fight for herself and her own betterment. I liked her a lot. But so did almost every powerful male of comparable age. At least that’s what it felt like. With almost no resources she managed to get herself into circles of power and then, once there, attract the most powerful men. I also thought the book longer than need be.

But, all in all, I’d call this one a winner. I look forward to getting to read more of the series.

True Rating: 4.5 stars
First off, the cover design for this book is STUNNING!! Hats off to the talented artist who created it.
Now, on to the book. I have to be honest and mention that I haven't been enjoying much YA fiction recently. I was so surprised by this beautiful story.
This spin on the classic Chinese tale about the Moon Goddess being separated from her love was refreshing. This did not read like a debut, and that felt really nice.
I found the writing to flow well, and I stayed engaged the whole way through. The stakes felt high enough, and I felt that anyone, not just the target audience could enjoy this one.
This book was near perfect for me, and I can't wait to see what else comes next!

Oh wow... I am speechless. Just wow. Sue Lynn Tan's debut novel is absolutely breathtaking. I was flown away to a beautiful, vibrant and magical world. Reading Daughter of the Moon Goddess literally felt like floating on an ethereal cloud and I am certainly not ready to come back to real life. Her writing was vivid and captivating, and for a debut novel I am blown away by how unique her authors voice was. And the story...I will not spoil any part, but let me say this tale is an epic of epics. Xingyin's tale is inspired by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese Moon Goddess. Tan takes us through a gripping and memorable journey of Xingyin's quest to free her mother (the Moon Goddess) from eternal imprisonment. Along the way we see palaces and battlefields. We meet an endearing prince, a brooding army captain, celestials and mythical creatures. Magic is woven throughout literally and figuratively. I know it is one week into the new year but I am confident this book has taken its place on best books I'll read this year. I cannot recommend this enough, I wish I could give it more than 5 stars! Do yourself a favor and read this asap, you will thank me after.

Wow, wow, wow.
What a stunning Debut novel! @suelynntan has created such a beautiful world!
Based on the Chinese folk lore of Chang’e and Houyi, this book follows the journey of their daughter Xingyin. She begins as a true underdog and we get to see her come into her own and fight for a place in the world. I love a good badass female protagonist, and Xingyin fits the bill!

This story had action, love, pride, ambition, injustice, hope and so many twists and turns. Oh, and there’s dragons! Who doesn’t love dragons??

Thank you @netgalley for sending me this ARC!

This is book one of The Celestial Kingdom Duology, I cannot wait for book two!

Long ago, the Celestial Emperor exiled Chang'e to the moon for drinking the Elixir of Immortality, so in order to free her mother, her daughter (Xingyin) embarks on a quest to infiltrate the Celestial Kingdom and gain the emperor’s favor. However, there she catches the eye of the crown prince and he selects her to become his tutoring companion. As love starts to blossom between the two of them, she finds herself torn between her feelings for him and the guilt of betraying her mother.

Based on Chinese mythology, The Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan is an emotional and spellbinding tale about immortals, dragons, and the enduring bonds of love.

First off, the romance is well set up and slowly unfolds. I didn't even mind that there is a love triangle in this one between Xingyin, the prince, and the captain because both sides of the relationship were allowed to develop and the drama it caused had actual plot significance.

Overall, this is a sappy and melodramatic comfort read—filled with betrayal, heartbreak, court intrigue, and grudges that have lasted hundreds of years, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes in the second half of the duology because I'm fully invested in the characters at this point.

I don't even know why I loved this book so much, only that I did! The imagery, the worldbuilding, the sheer emotion. It's beautiful and funny and...I don't even know how to put into words. It's just beautiful!

Xingyin is the daughter of the moon goddess, Chang’e, who was exiled to the moon after becoming an immortal. No one knows of her existence, so when soldiers of the Celestial Kingdom notice something wrong, she must flee her family.
Alone and powerless, she must settle into a land unknown to her, disguising her identity and trying to find a way to free her mother from her exile.

"Daughter of the Moon Goddess" is a beautifully written fantasy novel, that delves into the relationships between mother and daughter, and the sacrifices they are willing to make for each other. The author is able to show it all, as well as magical worlds and realms, with fast-paced writing and amazing visuals that keep you invested in the story from start to finish.
I particularly enjoyed the relationships between the characters and how they reacted to the realities they were inserted into, though some parts - especially the start of the book - went by too fast, and the reader couldn't acknowledge everything that happened. Despite that, I was still able to love and understand the characters and their motivations.

Considering everything, it was a great book and a fantastic debut, and everyone should give it a try and keep
an eye out for the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the e-ARC in return for an honest review.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a beautiful fantasy novel about Xingyin, a girl on a quest to free her mother from the moon. It is lyrical and stunning and just breathtaking. Xingyin is smart and bold and is fully herself. She is so brave and her journey is harrowing and wonderful. It is a world of immortals with some feels of Mulan, as Xingyin becomes the companion of the prince of the Celestial Emperor and begins training her magic and as skills. The prince Liwei is kind and patient and challenges her. I loved their moments of training and growth. The magic system is interesting too. The story felt reminiscent of Tamora Pierce’s Alanna in a way. Xingyin is a hero, fully competent of saving herself. There were times that the romance aspect, while charming and beautiful, felt a little distraction, but at the same time Xingyin is a warrior and the romance aspects throughout gave her a vulnerability that made her feel more real as a character. At the same time, it was frustrating at times when she would say keep she’s not beautiful; it just didn’t seem to fit the tone. She’s a wonderful character though, and each side character was so genuine and alive. And the twist!! So good. This book is breathtaking and unique, and I really just loved it!

Sue Lynn Tan makes her debut with upcoming YA fantasy release Daughter of the Moon Goddess, which is already a contender for most beautiful cover of the year. As the title itself indicates, this first half of a duology tells the story of Xingyin who lives an isolated existence with her mother the Moon Goddess until events force her to flee and hide her immortal identity in the Celestial Kingdom.

“Tells” is a critical word here. Because this book really does read like a fairytale in which the story presented to the reader as a long-forgotten tale unearthed and shared with a kind of quiet reverence. As such, there’s a certain sense of distance from the story I felt as I was reading it that made it difficult to fully immerse myself in a narrative. However, the attention to detail in the aspects of ancient Chinese culture - from the music to the food - were expertly crafted. And the author never skimped on minute aspects of laying out the setting for a scene. Rather than worldbuilding, it was the narrative style resulting in a distance from the characters that prevented this from being a five-star read for me.

There’s a type of reader that will fall into this story and be swept away by the high stakes and quick-moving action scenes. But as someone who is drawn more to character–driven stories instead of plot, I do think this contributed to my enjoyment. I never felt a true attachment to any of the characters, perhaps because we didn’t spend much time watching their interactions outside of training montages and battle scenes. The love triangle is a reinvigorated staple of YA fiction that has been hyper-scrutinized despite being mostly harmless fun. Here, it was noticeable but not distracting even if I never felt like I really got a true sense of the character or motivations from either male lead.

Instead of a YA fantasy romance, Daughter of the Moon Goddess works best as an exploration of the bond between a mother and daughter and the sacrifices that each is willing to make for the other. It’s Xingyin’s mothers actions that both saved and doomed her daughter for a lonely existence on the moon. Similarly, Xingyin is willing to upend her own life to work towards a chance to free her mother. And the dynamic between these two, despite never given much page time, ultimately drives the novel and was the most distinguishing aspect of the story besides its lush fairytale-esque design.

I do recommend this for fans of YA speculative fiction, particularly those looking for a read outside the basic landscape of an western European fantasy setting. And if you want a dash of romance and an unshakeable relationship between mother and daughter, even better.

Thank you to the publisher Harper Voyager for the e-ARC provided via NetGalley for an honest review.

I am so glad this is my first finished book of the year! I loved it so much and it was a joy to read! This story has everything: friends to lovers, lovers to enemies, stunning world building, action, twists and turns and betrayal! There was a lot that happened but it never felt like too much. The story felt finished at the end and not over done despite how much ground this book covers! My favorite part of this story is the world building. It was completely immersive and enthralling. So beautifully done. The kingdoms and their politics, the magic system, everything was perfect. Also, the romances (yes romances plural!) felt authentic and so sweet…until they weren’t of course! But I loved the complicated web of emotions weaved between the love interests. The writing really conveyed them well and let the reader feel the pain and uncertainty. I loved how vividly Xingyin’s emotions leapt off the page.

I will say, this felt more like a standalone than the first installment in a duology. I’m really curious to see how the next book will continue the story! Is it too soon to say? Probably, but I think this will be a favorite read of 2022!

Initial Thoughts
When I saw the description (and cover) of this stunning debut, I knew I needed to read it. It sounded right up my alley and was a loose retelling of a myth that I wasn’t yet familiar with.

Some Things I Liked
Romance and relationships. I love love loved the themes of friendship and relationships in general in this story. I loved the love triangle (which is super rare for me) and I loved the way Xingyin’s romance plot played out.
An epic fantasy saga. This book had all the action and adventure I’d expect with an epic fantasy and I loved the way it read like an epic poem. Xingyin is the perfect epic hero and I loved her journey.
References to mythology. This story draws a lot of references from Chinese Mythology and it really sparked an interest in me to learn more about it. I loved the story of the Four Dragons and I am so excited to see what the sequel will be about.
Rich world building and descriptions. Every word of this story was so purposeful and I felt like I could see the scenes as they played out. The writing is nothing short of magical and transportive. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Series Value
I can’t wait to read more from Sue Lynn Tan as well as the sequel to this story. I loved that the ending was both satisfying and also open-ended. I would love nothing more than more of Xingyin’s adventures but could also see myself loving seeing just more set in this world but with new characters.

Final Thoughts
This is easily one of my all time favorite books. This was a masterpiece.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️