Pages: 457
Published: 10th November 2022
Genre: Fantasy
Trigger warnings: Injury detail
Just like the first book in this duology, I read this one with Pauliina @ The Bookaholic Dreamer. We have both loved these books throughout, and had the best time discussing them.
After her perilous quest to free her mother, Xingyin thrives once more in the 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 treacherous 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 devastation – 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.
This book shines like a star and burns like a fire at the highest intensity, coming together to form the scintillating second half of a duology that exudes radiance and delight. Albeit with a slightly darker, less whimsical feel, it delivers more or less everything that made Daughter of the Moon Goddess so special, including a pulsating plot, exquisite writing, and an epic emotional ride.
The mythology is captivating again and creates vivid imagery to carry a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, whether that be from the increasingly high stakes of battling a ruthless foe, or the twists and turns of a fascinating love triangle. There are some sad moments too, but the action is pretty much non-stop and after going on that roller coaster alongside an ever-fabulous main character, it concludes on a very pleasing note.
One of the great things about the plot is that it is so unpredictable, as even when entering the final chapters after the battle has come to an end, there is still no way of knowing which way it will go. There is an incredible amount contained within the plot, yet the characters drive it to such a large extent and the connection you build with them and the events that take place are much stronger as a result.
The rise of Wugang as the main villain was compelling due to his backstory, as was the mythology surrounding the laurel tree and the imagination behind some of the magic, all of which goes on to have major significance in the final reckoning. Even with all this detail, it manages to be fast paced and there is a lot to take in, while many of the twists are unexpected and tantalising.
A surprising aspect at first was how we are thrown straight back into the love triangle from very early on, especially given how things were left off at the end of Daughter Of The Moon Goddess. However, the way it plays out here is exceptional and there is so much intrigue to be found here that provokes considerable pause for thought and endures for such a long time without any clear indication what the outcome will be.
Along the way, Xingyin has to contend with a rush of competing emotions – some of them she struggles to accept but cannot deny. As the reader you are thrown headfirst into her uncertainty and the quality of the writing is so good that even when weighing everything up, it is still hard to foresee which side she will land as her connection to Liwei is deep and pure, though equally she shares an extremely arresting dynamic with Wenzhi.
It takes many different directions and for a long moment, you are left seriously worried that all the dramatic events of this duology would not lead to a happy ending, but luckily that is not the case. It is perhaps bittersweet in some ways, but the love triangle is ultimately resolved impressively with a final scene that is nothing less than perfection.
Then again, for large parts the plot is intense, with Wugang seeking complete power over the Immortal Realm while Xingyin and her mother are forced to flee their home. If there is one criticism of the plot, it is that it does not have the same natural flow and balance in tone as the first book. The battle scenes towards the end also felt somewhat rushed, but otherwise you cannot helped but be fully consumed.
The entire story is written in Xingyin’s point of view, and she continues to enthral with how amazing a protagonist she is. This time she is slightly more battle-hardened, but she is so remarkably thoughtful and considerate, using the strength of her personality and positive values to overcome those with hostile intentions. The scene with the Sun Goddess was the perfect example of this, but then there is her reflectiveness and inner resilience; the fact that she is her own harshest critic. Xingyin is a character who deserves happiness, and she goes through a lot of difficult moments here on the way to finding it.
Liwei’s love for Xingyin always shines through regardless of her conflicted feelings and he wears his heart on his sleeve, risking imprisonment from his father to fight for her safety. He is honest and wistful, and that is what makes him so likeable. On the other hand, Wenzhi is smart and looks out for Xingyin in a different way, although the events of the previous book mean that for so long, you cannot feel able to fully trust him.
It was clear already that Wugang was someone to watch out for, but here his evil intentions take on a new level entirely as he becomes a fearsome adversary. Prince Wenshuang is awful for slightly different reasons, Chang’ee is such a peaceful character despite so often being persecuted by the Celestial Kingdom, and it was perhaps a shame that Shuxiao was not developed more this time. As for the Celestial Empress, some of her scenes with Xingyin were among the most gripping.
The settings are absolutely beautiful, with every new kingdom Xingyin visits brought to life with the help of sumptuous writing where each detail represents a brush stroke towards a fabulous painting. The Eastern Sea and the Bright Pearl Palace was a particular highlight, but this extends further into the realisation of the magic and the mythology, making every aspect of it immersive.
Similarly, it is hard to find fault with the storytelling. It is eloquent and lyrical, with supreme care taken over every word as it magnificently captures the mood of every scene. Once again, even when the stakes are at their highest and the action is at its most ferocious, the writing delivers an unbelievable amount of finesse which is somehow able to envelop the reader further.
Overall, this duology is a joy to behold and everything that takes place in the sequel is a real blast, taking you through the full spectrum of emotions. It is not quite as flawless as the first book, but it is still breathtaking and relentless in its magical splendour right until the end of Xingyin’s story, and hopefully there is more from this world to come.
When a debut novel – and the first book of a duology no less – is so outstanding, it can be difficult for the sequel to live up to those standards. Luckily, Sue Lynn Tan does an amazing job once again, and this was another fantastic read.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Stephen Reads Books 