Daughter of the Moon Goddess

Author: Sue Lynn Tan
Published: 2022
Target Audience: Adults (Appropriate ages 14+)

There are many legends about my mother...

Growing up on the moon with only her goddess mother and a single attendant for company, Xingyin is unaware that she’s been hidden from the Celestial Emperor, who exiled her mother for stealing an elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin's magic awakens and draws the attention of the Celestial Kingdom, she is forced to flee to avoid discovery, leaving her mother behind.

Alone and afraid, Xingyin crash-lands in the Celestial Kingdom, a land of powerful immortals, eternal spring, and the Jade Palace. Through a combination of quick thinking, kindness, and luck, she manages to earn the right to study alongside the emperor's son, Prince Liwei. Between lessons in archery and magic, a friendship blooms between Xingyin and Liwei, and soon deepens into something more.

But good fortune can only last so long. To free her mother, Xingyin must face vicious beasts, impossible quests, and vengeful immortals, all while keeping her true identity a secret. Yet there are other forces at work, and Xingyin is drawn into a insidious plot where one where one misstep risks losing all she loves and plunging the realms into chaos...

Review:

Inspired by the Chinese Mid-Autumn tale of the goddess Chang’e, ‘Daughter of the Moon Goddess’ is a captivating fantasy novel by Malaysian-born author Sue Lynn Tan. Blending magic, adventure, and romance, Xingyin’s journey is a coming-of-age story that captures the uncertainty of being thrust into circumstance you were never prepared for, and having to find the courage to keep going. It is predominately plot-driven, with an episodic style that keeps the story fresh and interesting as the narrative jumps forward by months and years. Some readers may find this swift pacing odd, as it is more akin to the style of traditional fables or myths than modern novels. However, Xingyin's vow to free her mother provides a strong emotional refrain that successfully ties together the various storylines and character growth. This consistent goal drives her to improve herself, seek out new opportunities, and to keep her heritage hidden from even her closest companions. Yet the happiness of her new life in the Celestial Kingdom is tempered by guilt as Xingyin is torn between her determination to liberate her mother, and her love for Liwei, the son of the those responsible for her mother’s imprisonment. This friction between duty and desire bleeds into every step of Xingyin's journey, and will keep readers hooked right to the very last page.

'Daughter of the Moon Goddess' is a excellent read, but also has some technical shortcomings that may be attributed to it being the author's first book. An example of this is the occasional lack of insight into Xingyin's internal state in response to plot events or significant realisations. Readers may be treated to only Xingyin's surface observations of the situation, rather than an informative emotional reaction, which may cause the story to appear lacking in depth or greater character development. This also extends to the novel's romantic elements, which some readers may feel are underdeveloped or overly convenient, particularly as multiple male characters become enamoured with Xingyin shortly after meeting her. On this point, however, it is worth noting that while 'Daughter of the Moon Goddess' does contain romantic subplots and relationships, it is primarily a fantasy adventure and coming-of-age story. Finally, Tan tends to introduce characters through visual descriptions of their clothing and general appearance, as opposed to distinguishing physical traits or personality quirks. This can result in characters feeling flat or unmemorable. Thankfully, it is offset whereby only a few new characters are debuted at a time, allowing audiences time to become familiar with them before the next significant character enters the story. Additionally, Tan uses an effective three-step technique of an initial introduction, a small reminder, and then full implementation of key characters, plot beats, and/or world-building elements to ensure these aspects remain fresh in the audience's mind for when they become relevant to the narrative. Thus, while flaws are present throughout the book, they do not detract from the story's overall enjoyment.

'Daughter of the Mood Goddess' is the first book of the Celestial Kingdom duology, and is an engrossing story of love, courage, and the joy of self-discovery. I recommend giving it a read!

Excerpt:

Perhaps Liwei sensed me drawing away, the hardening of my resolve. He leaned towards me, as he asked, "What are your dreams? Let me help, however I can."

The words hovered at the tip of my tongue. To confide in him. To tell him the truth. He was a Celestial Prince, powerful and favored. But I stifled the urge. I was unsure of how things might change between us if he knew who I was. That I had lied to him. That I was the daughter of the disgraced goddess who had defied his father's wishes, and of the mortal who had slain his mother's beloved sunbirds.

"No, you can't help me," I said softly. "But I thank you for wanting to."