Publisher: Harper Voyager

Rating: 3/5 stars

Pages: 498

Category: YA, fantasy, romance, action

Trigger: None

Hello Readers, welcome back to my blog.

I am back with another fairyloot subscription book review; this book is from 2022 February box. I also entered the photo challenge for fairyloot, you can check out my photo on instagram, my handle is @book_latte_kech and you can check out other photos in the challenge under the tag #fairyphoto59 on instagram.

SUMMARY

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 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 in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.

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

Review

Xingyin is the daughter of the moon goddess and a skilled mortal archer, who shot down 9 out of 10 firebirds. Xingyin’s mother has been imprisoned on the moon since she became an immortal because she is accused of stealing her husband’s immortal elixir so Xingyin’s birth has been kept a secret from the celestial kingdom. When Xingyin gets curious about her powers it draws the attention of the celestial Kingdom so her mother sends her away from the moon for the first time. Things do not go as planned for Xingyin and she winds up as an attendant for a spoiled mistress but she soon gets the attention of the celestial crown prince. She wins the coveted position of being his companion and trains and learns with him.

Xingyin and the Crown Prince fall in love but she has to battle her guilt of not finding a way to free her mother and the fact that she is keeping her identity a secret from Liwie. Love is not always a guarantee of happiness and Xingyin feels the sting when Liwie chooses a betrothal with the phoenix princess to strengthen alliances which is his duty. Xingyin has to forge a path for herself and remember her original goals while battling the love she and Liwie still feel for each other despite their current circumstance.

The story is fast-paced; within the first 100 pages, a lot had happened. It reminded me of C dramas and I don’t want to say that about every book inspired by Asian mythology but those were the vibes I got. To be stung by love twice is not fortunate, first by a broken promise of first love and Xingyin didn’t give herself time to heal from the first one before she plunges into the comfort of another while trying to escape the hurt of the first love. Xingyin needed a clear mind to achieve her goal but love thwarted her at every turn. I loved the strong family bond she had with her mother while missing her father dearly but still being content with the lack because she has known nothing else. I loved the descriptions of the palaces and the clothes worn by different characters. I gave 3 out of 5 stars because, despite all that I loved about the story, I was not left with the excitement of finishing a great book. The story was good and I loved the concept, and while I am looking forward to the second book in the duology I am not filled with great expectations or anticipation of what is to come. I do look forward to the next book because the language and the pace of this book were spot on.

If you like this review and are interested in reading this book, you can purchase it using the links below:

Waterstones (UK) – https://tidd.ly/3prSyR7

Book depository (Free worldwide shipping) – https://tidd.ly/3FvdFrh

Audible (audio books) –  https://tidd.ly/3EtH3gz

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