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Loading... Heart of the Sun Warriorby Sue Lynn Tan
   No current Talk conversations about this book.   ) Levitara | Apr 5, 2024 |  ) ratatatatatat | Feb 21, 2024 |  ) jessiewinterspring | Jan 30, 2024 |  ) FrinoBaggins | Dec 25, 2023 | At her core, Xingyin is still the same. She desires to spend eternity quietly with her loved ones, but that is not possible when the glittering Celestial Court shows up at their door, demanding more. She is marked by her adventures. She is weary of intrigue and suspicious of strangers. This restlessness is best personified in her inability to choose between Liwei and Wenzhi. Both men are very different but also the same. They both offer her the same future of a regimented and two-faced court life, only one is in the Celestial Kingdom and the other is in the Demon Realm, and either situation would kill Xingyin. Nevertheless, I still found the romance compelling and filled to the brim with angst. Compared to the previous novel, Xingyin is more active in this one. While she kills a lot less monsters, she drives the plot this time. Previously, she was at the mercy of her circumstances, but now she makes an effort to plot, steal, and attack all in the name of helping her family. She is aware that she is a hypocrite for stooping to the methods she uses to achieve her goals while disdaining when others do the same. Again, this showcases that Xingyin isn't perfect. Just as she is a relatable character, she is also unique with her own strengths and weaknesses. She's compelling to read about, even as she makes mistakes. This story is more about learning to accept grief and to grow from it, and that is a long, hard road for Xingyin, as it is for many of us too. Once again, readers are taken all over the map on what sometimes feels a bit of a wild goose chase. Yet, the evocative settings make up for this. It's still fun being introduced to new characters of Chinese mythology and experiencing the ever-increasing stakes. I have a couple of critiques for this book, but I know they won't bother me on a second reading. I felt the romantic heroes didn't really do as much this time around. They just bickered, brooded, and vied for Xingyin's attention. Liwei, in particular, was more of a damsel in distress type character and is much more passive than in the first book. Second, the laws of magic were really pushed to the boundaries this time around, and I struggled to grasp what was possible and what was not. What saved this book from 4 stars was the unexpected yet hopeful and completely satisfying ending. This duology will take you on a journey just as emotional and heroic as the one Xingyin takes. You are right there with her from beginning to end. The emotional weight is there, and Tan's messages of acceptance, growth, and hope are palpable on every page. I said before that this represents the best of what fantasy can be, and that statement remains true until the very end. (  ) readerbug2 | Nov 16, 2023 | no reviews | add a review
Belongs to Series
Fantasy.
Fiction.
Literature.
Mythology.
HTML: The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyinâ??the daughter of Chang'e and the mortal archer, Houyiâ??as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope. After winning her mother's freedom from the Celestial Emperor, Xingyin thrives in the enchanting tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a perilous confrontation. Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastationâ??to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love . . . even if doing so demands the greatest price of all. Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiob No library descriptions found. |
LibraryThing AuthorSue Lynn Tan is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing. Current DiscussionsNonePopular covers
 Google Books — Loading...GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.92Literature English English fiction Modern Period 2000-LC ClassificationRatingAverage: (3.94)
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