I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for access to this advance readers' copy of this book.

Just wow. The visual world building skills Sue Lynn Tan possesses are simply mind-blowing. Her descriptions are gorgeous, vivid, and stunning. Uncertain where the tale would go after the conclusion of the first book, this one did not disappoint. Not as action-packed as the first, but a thrilling tale in its own right. (The description says duology, but I'm eagerly waiting for the third book...)

It is difficult to critique near-perfection, but what I will say is that the love triangle got a little tedious in this follow up to DoTMG. Despite that, the book was a delight to read and had a satisfying conclusion. While I absolutely adored both books in this duology, DoTMG stood out for its vivid world, whereas HoTSW shined in its character building.

Thank you to Harper Voyager for providing me with a complimentary arc of this novel through netgalley. I stand with the Union.

I enjoyed the first book so I was happy to continue with the series/duology. I love the representation for Chinese mythology and fantasy. However, this one was really slow for me. I enjoyed the continuation of familial bonds being a core part of the story, but the pacing was not great for me.

I am OBSESSED with anything Sue Lynn Tan writes, it is official.

This books was a wild ride of emotions - a beautiful conclusion of Xingyn's adventures through life, finding family, purpose, meaning of belonging and true love. The world Sue has built just expands more and more, the extraordinary and imagery lyrical prose shines through the chapters!

This book is everything you expect from a fantasy book, ties the threads well and finishes the novel on a bittersweet tone. My heart will be forever broken and mended at the same time by this story.

Thank you so much for the publisher and Netgalley for the egalley!

Thanks NetGalley!

I don’t how many words to say about this, i love this series, i love this author, and i love these stunning covers.
It is so unique and one of a kind and it encompasses mythological elements so well that I’m obsessed with it.
Every reader should at least check it out.

📔 Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan

The Celestial Kingdom Duology # 2
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐/5
YA/ 🌶 5

📑SYNOPSIS:
After her perilous quest to free her mother, Xingyin thrives once more in the tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power.

📝QUOTE:
“The darkest of nights is when the stars shine brightest.”

✏️MY THOUGHTS:
I cannot believe this ideology is over. I wish we had 10 more books in this series because it is just too amazing to end.

I could not catch my breath throughout this whole book, the action, the heartbreak, and the betrayals made my head spin. Not only that, but I am still shocked that I was able to finish some chapters and put the book down to go eat or sleep. It was not easy, to be honest. I just wanted to read this book in one sitting.

The writing is just so beautiful, Sue Lynn Tan is a magician with words. Her descriptions are breathtaking, and I could imagine the wondrous places that she was sharing with us. This was a rollercoaster ride. When it comes to the love triangle between Liwei, Wenzhi, and Xingyin I just could not make up my mind about who I am rooting for. In one chapter I was hoping it would be Liwei, then next one I would drop everything for Wenzhi... The author took me for a wild ride! In the end, I made my choices, and team Wenzhi all the way... I am a sucker for a morally gray bad boy, what can I say, I am who I am.

Just like in the first book, the main theme is familial bonds, and how Xingyin will do anything to protect her family and friends.

The last few chapters of the book broke me. I was messaging my buddy read for support because I just could not believe what happened. I still cannot believe what happened. I was too heartbroken to finish this book... Furthermore, I am fairly sure I got some extra gray hairs from the shock.

The ending was beautiful, hopeful, and simply perfect for this book.

Thanks to NetGalley & Harper Voyager for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

The sequel to "Daughter of the Moon Goddess" continues to weave a magical world following a headstrong daughter trying to survive in a cutthroat world of godly politics.

Not as good as the first one, honestly. The love triangle drove me nuts! Despite the last 20%, I was actually getting super bored. A bittersweet ending as well.

Absolutely mesmerizing! I could not have been hamper on how this wrapped up. I would absolutely love more from this world! Sue’s writing sucks you in completely. This works came to life around me vividly. This was a rare case of living the second book not than the first! I will read everything she writes!

The world building, action packed fight chapters were well depicted! I cried at last parts! Xingyin was confused about her feelings as her heart tear in half till the last heart wrenching moment!

I loved the ending a lot, dabbing my eyes, giggling softly. Mythology, folklore, fantasy and romance couldn’t be combined so much better!

I’m a big fan of this duology and daughter of Moon Goddess and Sun Warrior!

I finished this book a couple hours ago and am still working on my feelings for it. I am not usually a huge fan of love triangles and was not a fan of this one. I also felt like the ending was convenient and I was really hoping that our FMC would become more independent rather than feeling like she had to chose one of the love interests, I truly felt like she should have picked the other person in my opinion. The writing was phenomenal and the world was well flushed out and easy to understand while still being interesting. Overall, this duology was fairly strong and I would give the series as a whole a 4 star rating. The first book I gave a 4.5 star rating and this book a 3.5 star rating. Unfortunately endings to a series are important and I did not love this ending, I will however continue reading what Sue Lynn Tan puts out because their writing is incredible.

This was a great, fast-paced end to this duology! Somehow we managed to get more world building, more characters but I love how quickly paced Sue Lynn Tan's writing is despite this being a larger book.

When I tell you that I SOBBED through the last 5% of this book, it was a satisfying ending. At first I was thinking it was unnecessary but it all wrapped up really well.

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫, while not as good as the first in the duology, was nevertheless a solid 4 stars and a beautifully-written culmination of Xingyin’s evolution, allowing her to learn difficult truths about life, love, and sacrifice.

Tan’s writing is magical in its descriptive brilliance, allowing the reader to feel truly immersed in the rich world-building and mythology found within the pages of this tale. Returning to the characters of the first book was also a welcome homecoming, and felt like reuniting with loved ones that have continued to grow and learn in the time since last seeing them.

My least favorite thing about the book, as others have noted, was the love triangle. It’s not a favorite trope of mine to begin with, but I felt as detached from it as Xingyin seemed to be at times as well, and wish there had been a quicker resolution to this plot-point so that we could focus on better parts of the story.

Overall, I felt that the best and most touching aspect of the entire book was Xingyin’s continued progression towards finding her own path, and realizing the importance of every individual being given the freedom to choose their own direction. The ending is poignant and powerful, and left me wanting more while also realizing it was a decisive finale.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess is easy the best book of all time for me. For that reason, I was so excited to review the sequel to it. The sequel that broke my heart. From the beginning the quick sequence of action and pace, with constant travel from scenery to scenery, the author did not forget to bring to the reader remainders of how this complex world works and engage the reader with her beautiful writing. The romance there is so subtle and full of dignity, I couldn't get over it long after I put it down. The protagonist can be conflicted, unlikable at times, but Tan makes us love her at the same time and trust that even the consequences can be a part of the journey.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After adoring Daughter of the Moon Goddess, I could not wait to read this sequel. I'm so happy to say that I loved this as much as book 1. I love this world and characters so much. Sue Lynn Tan is such a promising new force in YA literature, and I can't wait to see what she does next!

After healing physically from the battle that barely saved the Celestial Kingdom, Xingyin still doesn't feel like she can step into the life she promised Liwei. Before she can fully examine what's holding her back, her carefully reassembled life begins to crack again. A threat has come to the moon, revealing long-buried secrets and forcing Xingyin to begin yet another journey she did not ask for. In order to save the entire Immortal Lands, Xingyin will be forced to ally herself with those she had sworn off, and finally confront her heart.

I needed time to dive into this book. <i> Daughter of the Moon Goddess</i> was one of my top books last year, and I was terrified this one wouldn't hold up. While it was nothing like I expected, I did end up really loving the conclusion. I was screaming at Sue Lynn Tan at certain points, but it had a conclusion that honestly really suited the duology as a whole. I can't wait to see what she writes next, because I will be first in line to read it!

Content Warnings: violence, references to sexual violence, references to domestic abuse, references to suicide

Just as the first book, she wrote with wonder and exquisite phrasing. I fell deeper in love with the characters and loved the fast-pace. She has become one of my auto-buy authors. I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Huge thanks to Harper Voyager and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have no idea what was going on with this book. It just wasn't good. One thing that drives me up a wall is when the characters are passively running around. The characters kept going places and doing things, but it did nothing to further the plot. It didn't lead to new things discovered or add a piece of the puzzle or anything, it was clearly a filler. Another issue, this book takes place in a new kingdom where the Moon Goddess Palace is and there was no exploration or world building for this new setting. I had no idea what was going on or what it visually looked like the whole time I was reading this. Lastly (spoiler), Xingyin's dead father returns from the dead and then just drops off the page after a quick explanation. That's it. This was major plot point in the last book and should have been extensively explored but it wasn't. (Also, isn't the book named after this guy?) What was the point of adding that in with no exploration or character development? The love triangle didn't make any sense and didn't leave me convinced at the end of it. Overall, this book shouldn't have been written and I wish I didn't have to force myself to finish it.

I normally don't give bad ratings but two stars. Don't waste your time and money. This was a major disappointment because I really enjoyed the first book. Also, now I have the inconvenience of trying to sell my special edition Fairyloot edition of this duology.

I think I enjoyed this one more than the first, and that’s saying something!

The conflict development in this one was even stronger, and I loved that we got a better look into the character dynamics between Xingyin and her family and new friends after her major character growth in Daughter of the Moon Goddess. I was completely on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book, wanting to find out how the conflict and the romance resolved. Though there was still a strong love triangle for most of this book, which was frustrating at times, the resolution was sweet and well-justified.

I highly recommend checking out this duology for a beautiful story full of action, romance, and intricate worldbuilding!

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

Of course I loved Daughter of the Moon Goddess. Xingying is now one of my favorite FMC. I love that she stays true to herself. The writing of this book is absolutely beautiful and I couldn't stop reading.

I DEFINATELY have picked a side in the love triangle... I won't say how I feel about this book ;)

4/5 stars! i enjoyed the first book a lot and this also definitely lived up to my expectations. yingxin's development was stunning throughout the book, as was the writing and worldbuilding