An absolutely stunning sequel to one of my favorite fantasies of 2022. I was once again captivated by the mystical world in which Xingyin lives, especially as we got to see more of what lies beyond the moon and the Jade Palace.

Through war, love and loss, all of the characters I grew to love in the first book developed so much more as they were forced to take a stand and rise above their assigned stations in life.

Although the love triangle lives on, I appreciate how Xingyin did not make decisions for the sake of the men she loves. To the very end, she stays true to her own heart and does what she believes is right, no matter the risk. Did she lead both Liwei and Wenzhi on for awhile? Perhaps, but she never denied she had feelings for both, and I respect that.

My one minor complaint is that I felt many of the conflicts in this book both came about and were resolved extremely quickly.. While I did appreciate the fast pace for the most part, sometimes it felt like there wasn’t enough time for the suspense to settle in before a big moment.

Still, I absolutely adored this story. I’m so sad this duology has already come to an end, but I am so so excited to read whatever Sue Lynn Tan gifts us next.

Will post on Instagram about this book closer to release date!!

With any duology, you have to wonder if the sequel will be able to maintain the same excitement and wonder of the first book, especially when many major plot points seem resolved. I can promise you that Heart of the Sun Warrior is exactly the beautiful and epic sequel to The Daughter of the Moon Goddess you were waiting for!

The story picks up a year after the first book ends, with Xingyin back home with her mother on the Moon. Immediately the action starts with new threats, new adventures, and answers to your remaining questions from the first book. And of course the love triangle between Xingyin, Liwei, and Wenzhi continues as a secondary plot to the overall narrative.

I don’t want to spoil anything for readers, but Sue Lynn Tan’s lyrical prose coupled with the characters, their arcs, the relationships, the subtle romance plot, the action, and the world building is seriously everything you could want in a fantasy novel.

I highly recommend picking up The Daughter of the Moon Goddess if you haven’t already because this sequel is one you don’t want to miss!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess is my favorite book so far this year, and after reading several disappointing arc sequels in the past few weeks I was a bit scared for this. Happy to say I finally have a sequel that did not disappoint! Tan's writing is so beautiful and lyrical, the battle scenes are so easy to picture in my head and fun to read. All our fav characters are back, although I felt like Shuxiao barely had a role in this book but I am super happy with where this book ended for her. The love triangle with Xingyin, Liwei, and Wenzhi frustrated me at times, but I'm at peace with the way it was resolved for the most part. I recommend if you liked the first book!