Review of 'Daughter of the Moon Goddess'

Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.

Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to learn alongside the emperor’s son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.

To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies. But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess begins an enchanting duology which weaves ancient Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of immortals and magic, of loss and sacrifice—where love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.

Review

Daughter of the Moon Goddess follows Xingyin, the daughter of Chang’e, as she navigates life away from home, navigating the complications of family and love.

Characterization

The best thing about Daughter of the Moon Goddess, which is saying a lot because it was absolutely brilliant across the board, was the characterization.

Xingyin goes through such an extraordinary journey throughout the novel. In the beginning, she is very much a sheltered and gentle girl. But once the burst of magic catches the eye of the celestial court, Chang’e must send her daughter away for her own protection.

Her journey is perilous because she cannot tell anyone who she is. But that does not stop her from being herself. Xingyin proves to everyone around them that she is a force to be reckoned with. Even when her heart is broken, she does not become a shade of herself. Instead, Xingyin grows, accepts what is, and begins to forge a new path to find happiness for herself.

Xingyin is a warrior. She takes up the legendary jade bow and becomes a hero to the celestial kingdom and her mother. Both thoughtful and wise, her growth extends off the pages. The reader is reading the story to follow her journey.

Story

Now, while Daughter of the Moon Goddess is, in my opinion, a character-driven story, that does not mean the plot is lacking.

Sue Lynn Tan’s writing is magical. Her language and structure are almost poetic. It moves gracefully to build up those character dynamics and ensure the characters’ development shines off the pages.

I loved the passage of time and how the story grew from one thing and blossomed into this incredible journey. There is magic here, epic battles, romance, and dragons. Tan writes the story in a way that captures the reader’s attention, building up these plot elements to make them work together like music.

Final Thoughts

Daughter of the Moon Goddess in an incredible novel. Beautifully written and enchanting, Xingyin’s journey and adventure capture the reader’s heart.

• Writing Quality : 10/10
• Character Development : 10/10
• "Couldn't Put It Down"-ness : 10/10
• Intellectual Depth: 10/10
• Originality: 10/10
• Overall Rating: 5 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband, son and daughter and their two cats.