Daughter of the Moon Goddess
By Sue Lynn Tan
Blurb
A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess.
A young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm, setting her on a dangerous path where those she loves are not the only ones at risk…
Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the powerful Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his elixir of immortality. But when her magic flares and her existence is discovered, Xingyin 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 train in the Crown Prince’s service, learning to master archery and magic, despite the passion which flames between her and the emperor’s son.
To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies, across the earth and skies.
But when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream —striking a dangerous bargain, where she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.
Our Review
"There are many legends about my mother. Some say she betrayed her husband, a great mortal warrior, stealing his Elixir of Immortality to become a goddess. Others depict her as an innocent victim who swallowed the elixir while trying to save it from thieves. Whichever story you believe my mother Chang'e, became immortal. As did I."
Daughter of the Moon Goddess was a stupendous read, I loved it.
Xingyin grew up in a palace on the moon with her mother and their loyal attendent Ping'er. Every night her mother would stand and stare at the mortal world below with a look of sadness on her face.When she asks why all Ping'er will tell her is
"Some scars are carved into our bones - a part of who we are, shaping what we become."
It isn't until her own magic flares into existence that she learns her mother was imprisoned on the moon as a punishment from the Celestial family. The Celestial Empress comes to visit and Xinyin is forced to go on the run.
She ends up working in the home of the Celestial emperor while she works on a way to free her mother from her imprisonment, keeping her identity secret from those she loves.
The Daughter of the Moon Goddess has so much adventure crammed into i and the world building is fantastic. I am not a fan of romance books so I liked the romance in this was clearly part of the plot but it wasn't the main thing, having said that I did love this aspect of the plot.
Xingyin was an incredible character - strong, brave and loyal. I didn't want the book to end and I cannot wait to read the other books in the series.
Our Final Rating...
Read & Shared 13 Times.
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