Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan: Blog Tour & Book Review

^{This is a spoiler-free review.}

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

^{Expected publication January 11th, 2022 by Harper Voyager.}

My rating:

A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of Chang’e, the Chinese moon goddess, in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm.

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.

^{Thank you to Turn the Page Tours and the publisher, Harper Voyager/Collins, for sending me an ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.}

Hello everyone! Today is my stop on the Daughter of the Moon Goddess blog tour and I am so excited to share with you my favorite quotes (as well as my thoughts) on this wonderfully crafted and beautifully written novel. 🌙✨

“After her decades of heartache and terror, she must have thought peace was the best gift she could give me. Perhaps I had wanted it too-until this fire was lit in me to be more than I was, to be all that I could.”

I’m not exaggerating when I say Tan’s debut novel blew me away. Daughter of the Moon Goddess is bursting with enchanting worldbuilding, flourishing with lush imagery, and brimming with heartfelt emotion. Between the gorgeous descriptions, the lyrical writing, and the riveting plot, it’s impossible to not get swept up with Xingyin and her glorious, magical journey, filled with legendary perils and mythical obstacles, and infused with the essence that makes these tales of old still as impactful to this day.

“But I was no princess and fairy tales did not exist for the likes of me, not even in heaven.”

What I loved most about this book – and made it truly such a joy to read – was how loaded the story was. There was never a moment’s rest or an unnecessary passage. Every single sentence of this book was intentional and purposeful. Some in the most surprising of ways!

This is not a book you can passively read. It’s chocked-full of so much content – important details despite their size, and threads to storylines woven together so adeptly you don’t realize until exactly the right moment – that if you look away for just one minute you’ll miss out of so much lore, action, and foreshadowing.

But don’t fret! This book is so gripping you’d be hard-pressed to find your attention wandering. 😉

“And as I was discovering there was no end to love-it was something which grew and renewed endlessly, expanding to encompass each new horizon.”

If you’re a fan of YA fantasy this is one book you won’t want to miss out on. Filled to the brim with so much excitement and feeling, it’s hard to believe it’s only the first of two installments. I cannot wait to read its sequel and to see what’s next in store for Xingyin. It’s sure to be just as captivating. 💫

“As I gazed across the endless night it dawned on me then, that our paths were forged from the choices we made.”

About the Author

Sue Lynn Tan writes fantasy inspired by the myths and legends she fell in love with as a child. Born in Malaysia, she studied in London and France, before settling in Hong Kong with her family.

Her love for stories began with a gift from her father, her first compilation of fairytales from around the world. After devouring every fable she could find in the library, she discovered fantasy books – spending much of her childhood lost in magical worlds. When not writing or reading, she enjoys exploring the hills and reservoirs of Hong Kong, the temples, beaches and narrow winding streets here.

Her debut, Daughter of the Moon Goddess, will be published by Harper Voyager in early 2022, with a sequel to come. It is an enchanting fantasy of love and family, immortals and magic – inspired by the beloved Chinese legend of Chang’e flying to the moon upon taking the elixir of immortality.

Sue Lynn can be reached on Instagram @SuelynnTan, or on her website www.suelynntan.com. 

~ Check out the rest of the tour schedule here! ~

Have you read Daughter of the Moon Goddess?

What did you think of it?

Let me know!