Literally broke my heart and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time - Sue Lynn Tan knows how to write an absolutely sweeping and immersive story that feels so familiar but new and exciting at the same time!

Beautiful writing that brings wonderful characters and settings to life. The sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Heart of the Sun Warrior is an epic fantasy story of love and choices. It starts off giving the reader a chance to get to know the characters we left behind and steadily becomes an intense journey that leaves the reader needing the next book. This is the kind of book you want to devour slowly, taking in every scene and the lush setting that brings it all together.

Yes this was absolutely everything!! Sparkly, rich worlds. Immersive and creative writing and characters that pull you in with their unique personalities and life struggles. Sue Lynn Tan is one of my favorite authors! And I've read all of her books now!

I was a little disappointed by this one. It could have been because I left a large gap between reading the first one and this one. My favorite part of the first book was the romance and I felt like it took a backseat in this one.

Sue Lynn Tan does not miss!!!!! Honestly, this might be one of my favourite duologies ever? I adore the romance levels, the mystery and the growth of the characters. This is the sequel and I did read it over a year ago but I cannot forget the feeling of this book. It enchants you and lures you in. I want more in this world, and more from Sue Lynn Tan.

Just as good as the first book! Heart of the Sun Warrior is an enchanting read that pulls you right into its beautifully crafted world filled with Chinese mythology. The characters are well-developed, and their relationships are both heartwarming and intense. Tan’s writing is a bit slow but I can appreciate it for it's poetic nature. There are a few spots where the story slows down almost a bit too much, but overall, it's a fantastic sequel!

Yes the writing is still very nice, lyrical and beautiful but it had hardly any action and the little it had was mediocre. This is essence is just a romance with a hint of fantasy.

I’ve picked this up and put this down so many times. I’ve even tried reading with my physical copy. I even tried recapping with the first book, which i loved. I just couldn’t get back into this world. Maybe I’ll try again another time. But for now this is a DNF.

Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan is a captivating read for fans of fantasy and romance who crave epic adventures, emotional depth, and complex characters, as it masterfully weaves together themes of love, family, and self-discovery in a richly imagined world of Chinese mythology.

Recently I’ve really gotten into mythology and retellings. I love the way that an author can take a story that has been told probably thousands of times before and weave it into this new and unique tale.

I loved The Daughter of the Moon Goddess. It was one of my favorite reads of 2021 so I had to have Heart of the Sun Warrior when it came out. Sadly, it did not live up to the potential that was DotMG. Is it a good story on its own? Sure. It just wasn’t the follow up you expected after DotMG. For me, there just wasn’t the chemistry or connection between the characters. I wound up giving it 4⭐️ because I love the mythology and adventure aspect, the characters just weren’t 100% there and that totally could have been a me thing. Sometimes I get in a slump and read a fantastic book but it just isn’t for me at the time. I bet I read this a couple years from now and I see it completely differently.

Another great title, this time Xingyin sharing the legacy of her father Houyi, as the last did with Chang'e. The cover of this book is beautiful and it's warm tones compliment the coolness of Daughter of the Moon Goddess' cover. Likewise that book involved a lot of water, and this one fire. Of course "NEVER" judge a book by it's cover, bit it's a pretty safe bet with this series.

I've done a lot of my own research and reading on Eastern Mythologies, and it was that interest that had me pick up the series. I have to admit, the lonliness of Chang'e has always made my heart ache, and *SPOILER* bringing Houyi back to life and essentially giving them a HEA is incredibly satisfying to me. When I watched To The Moon with my daughter I was still emotionally even after all the silliness. This is a fantasy, and maybe everyone does mostly get what they want in the end, but it felt good in this story.

Some of the dialogue just doesn't feel like the way people actually communicate with each other, but I feel like the clunkiness and over explanation is probably necessary for the average western reader who may not be as familiar with the culture and need more explanations. It may be callous of me, but I'm glad Xingyin had to come to terms with death. I've had so much loss in my life, sometimes it's hard for me to have empathy for characters (and people) who haven't. Having endured so much of my own grief, when I can be with someone else in theirs really does lighten my burden. Even when it's just a fictional character.

Without giving any spoilers, the resolution of the love triangle was the right ending. It's a possibility that is hinted at near the beginning. It is an interesting concept too, "What does happen to an immortal soul after the body dies?" Are we all just displaced celestials waiting until our moment to return to the kingdom?

I look forward to reading future projects from Sue Lynn Tan, and I've grateful for having the opportunity to read and review this book.

I am ASTONISHED by this sequel. Sometimes the bright and glowing feelings of an amazing first in a series can often be tampered down by a not so exciting sequel. Sue Lynn Tan had me smiling and crying until the last page. A GLOWING SEQUEL!!

The love triangle was so tactfully done. It felt so believeable, not like something that was added to make you like the book more. I lived for the small romance plot buried in a much larger adventure!

I was so surprised after the first chart we passed, I didn’t even realized how attached I’d grown to this story and these characters until I was full blown bawling like an idiot. Tan has a great ability to weave a gorgeous tapestry of adventure and making you feel apart of it. I am so excited to read Tales of the Celestial Kingdom and even more excited for her new book Immortal! All the stars from me!!

This was such an adventure, What a fantastic way to wrap up a duology. Sun Lynn Tan has such a way with dragging you in, captivating you within their world and never letting go.

Heart of the Sun Warrior was one of my most anticipated reads, and it did not fail to disappoint. This book was so beautifully written and added so much more depth to the current and new characters within this world, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed reading Heart of the Sun Warrior. Did we need a love triangle? In my opinion, no; however, it didn't take away anything from the story.

This was a fitting conclusion for this duology and i so excited to reread it in the future

Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the earc (apologies for the delayed review)

Loved this continuation of the series. The character development was just out of this world for Xingyin and her journey to coming to terms with her parents suddenly being back in her life is harrowing and makes me root for her all the more. She is one of the more mature badass female characters out there and I loved that ending, So sweet.

At the start of Heart of the Sun Warrior, Xingyin is finally home, but things are no less complicated than her time spent in exile. The action kicks off immediately, and what that means for me is that there was no downtime before I dove into worries for my favorite characters. I am often stressed by big-hearted but action-oriented characters who take on dangerous tasks, and Xingyin is no exception. And when reckless decisions are made out of desperation and fear with just enough hope dangerous, it's hard to fault her. Basically, the emotional turmoil is real.

And on that note, Xingyin's love triangle is a web tangled in history and what each person stands for. Where a shared sense of honor and duty draws her to one, it is also a barrier between them. And for the other, a shared ferocity and protectiveness make them kindred spirits, though past harm makes these threads of connection feel weaker. Since Xingyin is such an honorable and (literally) straight-shooting woman, it's especially painful for her to be struck by such confusing and potentially hurtful feelings. How can she protect herself and those she loves when not everyone can be happy?

Though the romantic struggle is a main prong of the story, reflected in the title and the way it keeps worming through Xingyin's thoughts, it's not the only peril she's facing. The author is such a master of capturing political intrigue, mythological feats, and epic fights. All have a role to play as Xingyin is forced to make decisions with the highest stakes. Not a hero out of a desire for glory, she puts herself in harm's way out of necessity and love. You can expect the love of family and friends to play as important a role as her romance. All these bonds lend Xingyin strength as she faces off with a genuine psychopath with a nearly unconquerable army.

Fair warning to fellow tender-hearted readers, this book made me CRY. Like, on multiple occasions. I was afraid even before misfortune inevitably struck, and afterward was no joke. After all that, did I get the ending I wanted? It was a brutal journey from start to finish, but yes. I especially appreciate the author's choice to include a slow, winding ending for a clear sense of closure after such a high-intensity battle. This book is everything I want from a fantasy adventure-- from world-building and politics to magical adventures and big feelings. Thanks to Harper Voyager for my copy to read and review!

Ms. Tan did it again! This beautiful sequel has the same gorgeous imagery as the first and did not disappoint. I found this book to be more soap opera like than the first which caught my attention because the angst, oh the angst! We learn more about each character without it feeling overdone or dragged out. I also enjoyed how the more violent aspects of the book were handled and appreciated how the main character was not afraid to get her hands dirty. Xingyin is a strong main character who so well developed and thought out. It was a great end to this duology.

This was one of my most highly anticipated reads and it truly did not disappoint! It was so nice to reenter this magical world and follow Xingyin through another adventure. This was the perfect way to end a duology and I can’t wait for the novella!

A mesmerizing continuation of Xingyin's epic journey, seamlessly picking up where the first installment left off. The narrative unfolds with a perfect blend of suspense, magic, and emotion, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Sue Lynn Tan weaves together elements of Chinese mythology, creating a rich and immersive world that captivates the imagination. The story explores the consequences of Xingyin's past actions and thrusts her into a new adventure fraught with danger, mystery, and unexpected alliances. The unfolding events reveal a masterful plot that intricately connects with the established lore, adding layers of complexity to an already compelling storyline. As well as creates an even deeper connection to the love interesets.

What truly sets "Heart of the Sun Warrior" apart is the depth of character development. Xingyin's resilience and determination shine as she faces new challenges and confronts shocking truths. The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, with each character contributing uniquely to the unfolding drama. The dynamics between them evolve organically, reflecting the complexities of loyalty, friendship, and rivalry. As the plot intensifies, so does the emotional resonance. The themes of love, sacrifice, and hope are skillfully interwoven, tugging at the heartstrings of the reader. Xingyin's internal struggles and external challenges create a poignant backdrop against which the overarching conflict unfolds.

I wanted to love this but this book was somewhat disappointing. This felt more character driven and the love triangle was just okay. I fet like this took me so much longer to read. Unsure if it was because of my mood or what.


Im giving this book a low 3 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and publishers of Avon and Harper Voyager for this ebook for an honest review!

I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an arc in exchange of my honest review.

I honestly knew before reading this one who was the FMC endgame so I was predisposed already when I picked this one up. I loved book one so so much and to be honest I did not enjoy this one. I felt like Xingyin was just making the wrong decisions one after the other. I don't think a lot happened through the book other than character development and some action here and there. I honestly did not like Xingyin in this one and after how she treated the situation with Lower I liked her a lot less. I really disliked love triangles and this one ruined the book for me sadly specially how Xingyin broke Liwei's heart. I really love a MMC morally gray but Wengzhi was not it. That's the other thing, for most of the. book it didn't even felt like he was the MMC and then boom poor boy died so now Xingyin realizes she was sooo in love with him *eyeroll*

Although that I did not like what I previously mentioned I still enjoyed the writing style and the development of the story between the moon goddess and the Sun warrior and the glimpses of world building and politics we get.

All in all I think this one was a 3.7 stars for me