Can’t wait for the next Celestial Kingdom novel! Even though the characters are new, I HOPE Xingyin, Wenzhi, and Liwei will make appearances! I can't wait to see where Xingyin's choices take her next. I already can't wait to read this again.

Liwei is pushy, impatient and ignorant to Xingyin's feelings, especially where his parents are concerned. Wenzhi is a creep and stalker who chases Xingyin around begging for forgiveness while she reprimands him but doesn't do anything to stop him. Xingyin loses what little braincells she had and makes some of the most ridiculous decisions for the sake of plot. She does not develop as a character in the slightest as everything falls into place for her. Also, could she not shut her mouth in dangerous situations for TWO SECONDS??? Xingyin may be amongst the worst protagonists I've encountered in the genre AND THAT IS SAYING SOMETHING. This time around I had a better time more consistently. I think it helped that we dropped the triangle. It was very clear the entire book where the reader was supposed to care about in terms of the romance arc, and the narrative was focused on building that up and so those beats just felt a lot more close to home. One of the things I loved the most about Daughter of the Moon Goddess was the way I could not predict what was going to happen. It was a high action fantasy which enthralled me. And the sequel, Heart of the Sun Warrior was the same way. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts. Summary The fakeout at the end was such a cop-out. The way death is portrayed in this series makes me mad to no end. Xingyin and Chang'e both experience terrible personal losses but instead of learning to get over their grief they yearn and sob until they discover that those who died are conveniently alive for no well explained reason and now they are happy again!I’m just really overwhelmed with how empty this book is. I left this book feeling like the last chapter and maybe one plot point could’ve been the epilogue for DOTMG. This book was truly unnecessary. Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.) I did like the setting and the different magic types and the different rulers. It was fun seeing the ride on clouds and seeing Xingyin use a bow again. The writing is still beautiful. I love the setting, food, and magic. It’s just not what I was expecting after having read the first book.

Overall I think this is satisfying and ties everything up well enough. Is it a bit too long winded like book 1? Yes, but the writing is beautiful and in truth that detail was helpful at times in building and painting in the broad world expansion we get with all the kingdoms and the full journey and transformation Xingyin goes through. When I talk about wanting characters with depth and grit, Xingyin is a shining example. She’s powerful but not SO powerful it’s a joke she’s ever in danger. She goes through gray areas and makes choices that don’t always stand up to hindsight positively. She’s fully changed by the end of HotSW and she’s no longer the girl we first met, and that’s ok! Her peace was more than hard won and she’s finally able to be selfish with her happiness. It’s truly a full circle heroine’s transformation that took a long time and several years to get to, and I think taking that time and space to do that serves this duology well, making it an exceptional one to read and reread.

Summary

Tan absolutely exceeded my already-high expectations with the conclusion to her story. Not only does she give ample time to resolve every plot thread, but left me breathless with her lush prose and enchanting storytelling. The Celestial Kingdom duology is a stunning debut, and I am excited to see what magic Sue Lynn Tan brings to her next project.” — Locus Magazine When not writing or reading, she enjoys exploring the many hills, lakes, and temples around her home. She is also grateful to be within reach of bubble tea and spicy food, which she unfortunately cannot cook.

This book is beautifully written with lovely descriptions and world-building. I also loved that the book comes with a map! I was able to follow the story as it flowed from one realm to another. The battle scenes were exciting and well-choreographed. The intensity of the battle and the extremely high stakes were interspersed with emotional moments of connection and friendships, making this a well-balanced fantasy novel.

Review

Xingyin asks herself, "Was my heart strong enough to shatter again?" and I found myself thinking that she was. After finishing, I wondered why that was my first instinct. I wondered why I didn't hesitate to believe she would get up, that she would continue moving forward. If she reflects a part of me, why would I say she would continue to move forward when if someone asked the same about me, I would never have so much belief in myself? Maybe Xingyin is the recognition of my healing, and the next part of her life can be a reflection of what I have to look forward to. I am so rarely shattered by a story in such an intrinsic way. To find a character like Xingyin: I've only ever found two others before. I didn't just become a part of her world, but a part of her as well. I'll hold her in my heart for the rest of my life, and I can't wait to see what happens in book three. The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin—the daughter of Chang’e and the mortal archer, Houyi—as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope. I loved the ending a lot, dabbing my eyes, giggling softly. Mythology, folklore, fantasy and romance couldn’t be combined so much better!

There was a love triangle in this book which I don't mind but it felt like that was the only story it was trying to tell - everything else felt like an after thought. It almost felt like the author decided on a whim to expand this series.We go through so many cycles in our lives. School to school. College to work. Job to job. Love to love. Life to death. There is always change, there is always a grace period, there is always learning and loving and experiencing, and it all revolves around how we choose to live our lives. Because power has the ability to corrupt and favors transform into something else. So who is telling the story becomes even more important. Heart of the Sun Warrior tells a story about the cost of revenge and price of forgiveness. Additionally, I adored the love triangle in Heart of the Sun Warrior. How these characters represent futures and possibilities to Xingyin. Not only that, but it also delves into the kind of person she would be, could become, with these characters. That said, there were some things that I didn’t love about this. Some of which I will put in spoilers.