Lets talk Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan

 *I was gifted an advanced reading copy courtesy of HarperInsider*

Hey lovelies, welcome back! 

Very late with writing this review, since the lovely El at Harper Collins gifted me an ARC of Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan back in October! However, the paperback publishes on 31st August and so what better time to finally share my review of one of my favourite books from last year. 

In the sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Xingyin has won her mother's freedom and has finally found peace. However, the discovery of strange magic on the moon and unsettling changes to power force her to flee her home once more and venture to unexplored lands of the Celestial Kingdom with friend and foe alike. With alliances shifting, she must seek aid in the most unlikely of places to uncover the truth before everything she holds dear is destroyed...  

Heart-warming and heart-breaking in equal measure, this was a beautiful conclusion to a gorgeous duology that had just as many twists and turns as the first! 

The descriptions felt a little lacklustre compared to its predecessor, but still vivid and enchanting nonetheless. 

In contradiction, the characters had more depth to them this time round. Characters that were previously one-dimensional became multifaceted, with context to their exterior persona provided. I found myself warming to characters I'd previously written off.  

What struck me most was how much Tan's writing had improved. She conveyed how raw and realistic the characters emotions were exactly, and I felt my mood alter with them. It takes an incredibly talented writer to make the reader feel the characters pain and joy as if it were their own. 

An exquisite, well-crafted fantasy duology that showcases the power of traditional storytelling.

Have you read the Celestial Kingdom duology? If so, who was your favourite character? Let me know in the comment below. 

Until next time, lovelies! 

Lets talk Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

 Hey lovelies, welcome back! 

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan was definitely noticed for the cover alone. Then I read the blurb, a tale inspired by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess, and when a colleague told me how incredible it was, I knew I HAD to read it. So, in the thick of third year university deadlines, I treated myself to a pleasure read, and OH, HOW IT WAS WORTH IT!

With her existence hidden, Xingyin has grown up in solitude with only her mother, the exiled moon goddess Chang'e for company. But when her magic flares and her existence is discovered, she must flee leaving her mother behind. Lost, alone, and powerless, Xingyin hides in the one place they won't think to look for her - right under their noses in the Celestial Kingdom. When an opportunity to train alongside the crown prince presents itself, Xingyin disguises her identity in order to master her magic. Determined to free her mother, she embarks on a perilous quest to win the ultimate symbol of bravery - the jaded dragon talisman. However, with treachery looming and war brewing, Xingyin strikes a dangerous bargain and risks losing her mother for good or plunging the kingdom into chaos... 

I loved everything about this book!!!!!!! 

The plot is vibrant and brimming with mythology, action from the onset and romance so palpable I almost flung the book across the room a couple times - everything you want in a book. 

Tan's writing is exquisite and her description envelopes you into the novel so you can smell the jasmine, feel the brocade against your skin and the blossoms cascading down over your head. This is more than a mere reading experience; this is storytelling at its finest!

The characters are so three-dimensional that you either love or despise them. 

I adored everything about Daughter of the Moon Goddess, its pure, wholesome, epic fantasy!

Have you read Daughter of the Moon Goddess? If so, what were your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time, lovelies!