The cover of Daughter of the Moon Goddess is so beautiful, I knew I had to read it and I'm happy to announce that it did not disappoint! The premise is based on the legend of Chang'e which I had a passing knowledge of from my days of learning in Mandarin but Daughter of the Moon Goddess gave the myth so much depth. The world-building is rich with so much Chinese culture mixed in and is everything I could hope for from a Xanxia book. The magic system was so interesting and had several really clever details.

The heroine, Xingyin, is fierce, daring and complex while still naive and loveable. She grows and endures so much when all is said and done. There is also a love triangle, which I sometimes find annoying but this time it felt right.

The beginning is slow but the build-up is very necessary and worth it in the end. I assumed this was a standalone but I'm thrilled that it will in fact be a duology. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because of Xingyin's internal monologue becomes very repetitive sometimes. However, the story takes place over a few years so it's not unrealistic that Xingyin would periodically think the same things over and over again.

I will definitely be reading the sequel and am stunned that Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a debut. Perfect for fans of Six Crimson Cranes, Iron Widow and The Poppy War.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the Publisher for the e-arc!

I absolutely loved this book! It’s one of the best debut novels I’ve read in a while and I can’t wait to read more from this author.

From the very beginning, this book had me hooked. The writing was beautiful, descriptive and the author was able to fit so much storytelling into a small amount of writing. What I mean by that is that I couldn’t believe the book wasn’t longer. A lot happens within the chapters, but none of it feels unnecessary or like filler. All the writing felt like it was done with purpose. I loved that!

I’m a huge fan of retellings and mythology, so the fact that this was inspired by Chang’e; the Chinese moon goddess, made this even better. I honestly can’t wait for the next book in this duology and cannot recommend it enough.

What an amazing fantasy book! I was quickly drawn into the story. This book I believe was based upon Chinese folklore, and I loved the story. I don't always read fantasy, but I'm happy that I tried this one! Just a beautiful story. I hope to read the follow up book, too, when it is released.

I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a chance at reading this book.

I made it through 76% of this book before deciding that I saw enough, read enough, and just couldn't take reading any more.

The tale is lush, it is full of interesting lore and magic for sure. So if you enjoy that then you will certainly want to give this story a try. As for the general plot and or the characters? Ehhhhhhhh.

Our female protagonist is someone who I don't get and confuses me so much as I go through each chapter. She changes her emotions so fast - faster than Elizabeth Taylor changing clothes in Cleopatra. One minute she is out for revenge, next minute she is in love with the Prince, then she hates him, then she loves him, then she hates him again. Oh! Another guy appears half way through the book, does she like him? I think she does... wait, no she loves the Prince. No wait, she DOESN'T love the Prince. JK. She loves the prince. STOP. JUST STOP.

Next, the girl faints. A lot. Does she have a blood disorder? No. Every time when something becomes too dangerous or too stressful, she legit faints. Which leads to one of the two men having to revive her and heal her.

But this is all okay, you know, because she can fight really well! Oh! And, she can use her magic. She is never faced with any hardships, she never suffers any loss, she is just too darn perfect to enjoy.

I dislike the Prince as her love interest. Are they end-game? They seem like it from the amount of will they/won't they that keeps going on in this book.

The plot is pretty and yet, 80% of this book is spent on the crappy romance between her and the Prince. Give me a heroine who is stronger and is not wasting her time on boys and if they love her or not. I am all for romance in stories, but this was just way, way too much drama for me to enjoy.

I have grown obsessed with Chinese mythology after watching Xiran Jay Zhao's youtube channel. I really need to read her book which I will get around to eventually. However, this debut novel was so good. You get the legend of Chang'e and Houyi from the perspective of their daughter and her quest to save her mother from imprisonment. I have to say I'm not the biggest fan of Liwei and I actually prefer Wenzhi. I hope we get to see more of him in the next book. I want him and Xingyin to get back together.

I'm excited for the sequel to come out whenever it's released. I definitely recommend reading this book if you like Chinese mythology and a good fantasy read. Plus the cover is gorgeous.

Where do I even start with this book? I absolutely adooooored it. First, the author’s writing is amazing, I know this is her debut but she was made to write fantasy. The world building is so lush and beautiful, I usually have a hard time picturing a world I focus more on the plot but I ate every word of this without hesitation. Now, as a general warning its fast-paced and it does have some time jumps that, from what I read in some reviews they were not too excited about but I didn't care , I liked that Xingyin had other adventured that deviated just a little from the main plot but I felt like it made sense and it was a way for us to explore this world and the different cultures.

“Those nights when my pain was at its sharpest, it would have been so easy to slide into resentment and hatred. Yet as much as I loved him, I loved myself more. And as I was discovering, there was no end to love- it was something which grew and renewed endlessly, expanding to encompass each new horizon. Family. Friends. And other lovers, too - nove of them the same - yet each so precious in their own way”

Xingyin, is one of the few protagonist that I think was not being stupid or that she was causing her own conflicts ( with one little exception). She had a goal in mind and she fought hard and risked everything to free her mother. Although she hid her identity from everyone she still did better herself to gain respect and honor not out of spite or revenge, she knew she needed to earn her mothers freedom and not take desperate measures to attain her goal. She was fierce and strong but was also kind and attentive, she was driven by love and that just was the icing on the cake for me.

“... my heart racing like I had run a long way. But I had learned such feelings were dangerous and the wounds they could inflict more painful than those of a blade”

Love interests, yes, interestSSS, we have a love triangle people! So delicious, I don't want to divulge too much because I don't want to spoil anything but she has that passionate, aching bones, kind of love and she has the attractive, mysterious, safe and simple kind of love. My heart is in shambles, I was rooting for Liwei and then for Wenzhi and back to Liwei but I still wanted the sweet caressing of Wenzhi. I was seriously trembling with excitement for the whole second half of the book. I just couldn't put it down.

Last but not least, I love series, trilogies, duologies that don't end on big cliffhangers, I want to feel some sense of security but still with unanswered questions that leave you wanting more but give you some kind of break from the anguish and uncertainty. This was that for me, had some sense of triumph but I still knew that it was not all over and I'm really looking forward to the next part of this amazing story.

I will start by saying in the first chapter I thought this was about a child who was about 5-8 years old then after chapter two I was sucked in and I absolutely loved it. I bought the book at Barnes and noble on my trip home to visit my family and I am in love with this cover, I would definitely hang this as an art piece, I loved the friends-to-lovers trope and the love triangle. I loved the competition aspect although I do wish it were longer. I loved the Chinese mythology. this book was so beautifully written I can't believe that this is a debut novel. I can't wait to read everything to comes from this author. Such a lovely story. I would definitely recommend it.

the wording of some of these lines are amazing, here are some of my favorites.

"some scars are carved into our bones- a part of who we are, shaping what we become"

"she was dazzling, but her glossy lips against her white skin made me think of freshly spilled blood on snow"

"my father slew the suns. my mother lights the moon"

"in my childhood, I had been terrified of the vicious monsters I read of in my books. yet I was learning that as much to be feared was a scythe-like smile and words that cut deep"

"and though I felt lesser than an insect in this moment, I raised my chin to meet their stares"

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan. #DaughteroftheMoonGoddess #NetGalley
I received my copy of this book through NetGalley, all opinions are my own. I was not paid.

The Moon Goddess is a prisoner in the moon, her daughter Xingyin was born a secret, she grew up with her mother, and her mother's servant her only companions. When she is forced to flee Xingyin becomes the companion of the prince. Xingyin learns how to use a bow and arrow and becomes quite proficient, she rises to the position of First Archer. The kingdom is under constant threat from invasion from the demon realm. Xingyin takes to war with the true intent to free her mother. Between the demands of her calling as First Archer, her intent to free her mother she begins to discover exactly who she is and that may have far reaching consequences for the realm. I loved this book Xingyin is a young woman with talents that she develops to benefit her family, friends and is a person of integrity that even though she is figuring out who she is is always trying to be a good person.

I LOVED this book. Daughter of the Moon Goddess opens with Xingyin, a fairly normal person living her life until her magical powers are instigated and she has to leave everything she’s known behind.

It’s been a really long time since I read a high fantasy story like this, but the worldbuilding is so well done that it didn’t feel confusing and vague at any point in the story. The book is also super fast paced, with a shit ton happening right after each other, so at no point in the book did it feel dull or redundant.

ALSO, THE PROSE IS BEAUTIFUL. I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel if it’s going to be even half as good as this one.

The one thing that did throw me off guard was the romance: there’s a love triangle and in this case, neither of the two love interests were interesting enough that I felt any attachment to either potential relationship, and honestly, I think Xingyin felt the same way because the “like” feels more like mild infatuation. However, I don’t want to be too harsh because it’s the first book and we’ll probably see more development in book two.

If you like fantasy, mythology, and action packed books, I definitely can’t recommend this book enough.

I was really excited for this book, and unfortunately it didn't really work for me. I can't understand why it was marketed as adult fantasy when both the writing style (1st person POV, with some very odd register shifts between high fantasy and contemporary word choice) and the narrative arc (sheltered teenage girl is abruptly forced to leave home, then by fortuitous chance makes her way into a training montage and a love triangle) are so much more suited for young adult. I was really frustrated by both the naivete of the protagonist and the simplicity of the plot twists. There's the potential for a really good, interesting palace drama in the setup, but this is not that book.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a story that fires on all cylinders. The author takes her time with lush descriptions, and lays a solid foundation for the events that will unfold. Some scenes seemed like they were intended to reveal character attributes and lay a foundation for growth, but ended up carrying more significance later on, which is a testament to the depth of the storytelling here.

Xingyin is principled, and for that, she’s often called a liar. In some ways, Xingyin is the mirror that shows everyone their faults, because she doesn’t easily bend to political or social pressure, at one point musing, “I would rather be alone than have friends as these.” She embodies an inherent loneliness, perhaps stemming from her childhood on the moon, perhaps fueled by her need to keep her mother’s secret and conceal her identity. Her growth is a compelling part of the story. She must learn to hone her strengths and use her magic as she strives to fulfill her quest.

It’s hard to say much without feeling like it gives some of the story away, but I have to applaud the relationship between Xingyin and Prince Liwei. Although an attraction develops between them, it’s more than lust, evidenced by the length and strength of their commitment to each other. They forge a deep bond that withstands misunderstandings, deception, and other commitments. Xingyin also forms a friendship with a girl working in the palace kitchen and another soldier, and it’s refreshing to see relationships that are purely positive. In the end, although she didn’t strive to be popular or be a leader, she influences others by her actions and they’re inspired to support her.

This is a thoroughly engrossing story that’s beautifully written and takes the reader inside the Celestial Kingdom, where they learn about the immortals and conflicts between the immortal nations. Epic fantasy fans won’t want to miss this one. It’s a gem with so much more to it than what I’ve mentioned here, and (other than the Celestial Emperor and Empress, who are thoroughly unlikeable) the characters are nuanced. Even the bad guys aren’t always all bad. While it won’t get in the way of enjoying this extraordinary tale, Daughter of the Moon Goddess offers a commentary on leadership, and how self-absorbed, short-sighted leaders make decisions that put everyone in jeopardy. To say this is an impressive debut is an understatement. 5/5 stars

This book was achingly beautiful and magical! I could not put it down! The pacing was perfect - lots of twists and turns and action! The world was so beautiful and fascinating - I wish I could experience it in real life! The main character had so much growth and I was instantly sucked into her story and emotions. The slow burn romance was SO good! I'm obsessed with these characters now and cannot wait for the next book! This is a must read!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an eARC of this book in return for a fair and honest review.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a story about Xingyin, the daughter of the moon goddess as she goes on a quest to save her mother from exile. This story has everything I ever want in a novel! It has a strong female lead, and I mean that in the way that she is strong willed and brave before she even becomes a warrior. Love, dedication, family, and did I mention dragons?

The story is told with wonderfully visual and atmospheric prose that submerges you in the story. While the pace is a little slower, I enjoyed that I got to spend more time with the characters.

5/5 stars, but I want to go learn more about Chinese mythology and read it again to see what references I missed.

I was so thrilled to receive this eArc from @NetGalley! This baby was CHUNKY, yes I know it was an ebook, but trust me, she's substantial.

This epic fantasy debut DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS from Sue Lynn Tan was such a pleasure to read! It's inspired by the Chinese legend Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm. WE LOVE A RETELLING HERE! ✨

I rated this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars.

I thought all the characters were really well fleshed out, and SO MUCH HAPPENS in this book. It takes a little bit to get going, but once it does, it does not stop! I was really surprised this was the first book in a duology because this baby is action-packed, there's easily enough in this book alone for two books.

What you'll find in this book:
🐉 Dragons, mythology, and other fantastical creatures
🤎 Friends to lovers, mentor to lover, and found families
🏹 Badass female warrior on a quest with high stakes

"Why did I fall in love with someone who takes such pleasure in grinding my pride into the dust?"
My lips parted in disbelief. "You...love me?"
"After all our time together, did I have a choice?"

OK if you've been here for a bit, you know I'm an enemies to lovers girl, but friends to lovers does hit differently, and omg, the SWOONING I was doing!

"I had been lauded for my bravery, yet I knew the truth--that I had done these things despite my fear. Because not doing them frightened me more."

Y'all need to read this. This book is absolutely beautiful, and I can't wait to read the next one! 🤎

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this debut novel! I am not familiar with Chinese mythology so this was interesting and refreshing for me to read about. I loved the main character and her growth. This book was filled with love, betrayal, friendship, quests, and dragons! This was a jam-packed adventure and at times I felt like the pacing was a bit quick, but I think it set up the next book in this duo-logy perfectly! I'm very excited to see what the next book holds. Amazing debut novel for Sue Lynn Tan!!

First off, can I say what a GORGEOUS cover this is! Such an amazing fantasy read based off of Chinese mythology! I could not set it down once having the time to sit and actually start it. I’m absolutely in love and will be recommending it to all my friends!

Rating: 4.5

This story is inspired by the Chinese legend of the Moon Goddess Chang’e focusing on her daughter Xingyin who wants nothing more than to earn her mother’s freedom and be reunited again. At it’s core, this is a story of the love between a mother and a daughter and how far they are willing to go to protect the ones they love.

I absolutely loved the characters, especially Xingyin. She’s such a great character and her character growth was fantastic to read about. I love how determined she is, and she never loses sight of what she wants most. I loved the relationships she formed with Liwei and Wenzhi, she was incredibly mature and didn’t let herself get distracted by the two of them and how often they butt heads, often about her without her really knowing that they were fighting over her.

Liwei and Wenzhi on their own are both interesting characters as well, I loved how they supported her and wanted what was best for her, and the plot developments with Wenzhi I didn’t see coming at all, and I felt so bad for Xingyin! I’m very excited to see where that particular storyline goes in the second book, because there is a lot that can be explored there!

As for the world building, it was absolutely stunning! It was so easy to visualize everything, and part of that comes down to how beautiful the writing is. It’s both lyrical without being too in your face, making the pages just fly by. I loved seeing the people and cultures represented in this world, and it was all so vivid. I loved the magic as well, travel via clouds was so interesting and I of course loved that there were dragons involved!

The only downside is that I feel like there was a LOT covered in this book for it to be only a duology, so I’m definitely interested in seeing how well all these plot points wrap up in the second (and final) book. The middle of the book also was a little slower than the rest of the book, and while it wasn’t boring, I think it maybe could’ve been shortened a bit in that area.

Overall though still a fantastic read, very action packed and absolutely beautiful. I can’t wait for my physical copy to come in!

I can’t rate this book as I chose not to continue (dnf) at 27%. I found the pacing completely off, time would fly past in the blink of an eye. Making it difficult to really feel the character growth happen, instead of experiencing the growth as it happened we would get a time jump and have the characters improve or develop instantly.

That being said I did dnf at 27%, so rating it would be unfair. The 1 star rating I did give was merely a requirement to post this review. Hopefully Daughter of the Moon Goddess finds its audience, as I'm sure it will!

Beautifully written story. The Chinese mythological elements were beautifully woven into the story. The characters were interesting and I really enjoyed the romance. The reveal at the ending was shocking and so enjoyable. I felt the icing was a little off, a lot to build up and the ending was overly too fast!

Overall a beautiful fantasy read and I loved it! Thank you for sharing this ARC with me.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan can be described in three words for me – magical, romantic and fierce.

'In this night filled with stars, I would chart my own path to blaze across the sky.'

That quote is from chapter 14, page 171 and I immediately wanted to save it and create something for it. This book has become one of my favorite books EVER so far and it’s such a pleasure for me to be on this tour! Without giving away spoilers one of my favorite things about this book is how Xingyin refuses to follow a path that is not of her own choosing. She will not follow another or anything other than what she desires and the one thing she desires above all is seeing her mother free. The pacing of this book is also magnificent! Xingyin is one of the immortals and we get to see more than just a small fraction of her life span and because of this Daughter of the Moon Goddess feels different than any other YA novel.

'My nails dug into my palm. I was more than this ill-fated love. I would not let this define me. I had a family to think of, my own dreams to fulfill…and a nine-headed serpent to slay on the morrow.'