Celestial Kingdom #1
by Sue Lynn Tan
Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Jan 2022
512 pages
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Speculative, Alt. History
Publication Information
A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess, Chang'e, in which a young woman's quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm and sets her on a dangerous path - where choices come with deadly consequences, and she risks losing more than her heart.
Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the powerful 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, untrained, 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 Crown Prince, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the emperor's son.
To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies across the earth and skies. When treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, however, 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, of loss and sacrifice—where love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.
"Tan's remarkable debut and duology launch transports readers into a stunning world built from Chinese legend and replete with mythical creatures, magical artifacts, and mortal entanglements... Tan paints a lush, sparkling world...a riveting page-turner that will leave fantasy lovers satisfied and eager for more." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"An exquisitely detailed fantasy with a strong, vulnerable protagonist. The intimate prose makes Tan's wonderful debut an immersive experience; share with fans of Shelley Parker-Chan and Katherine Arden." - Library Journal (starred review)
"Packed with magic, dragons, and plenty of scheming, this novel features many expected tropes, freshened up by the well-developed setting and strong basis in Chinese mythology...the plot delivers what it promises in a quite satisfying, though predictable manner. The prose is lovely and fluid, lush descriptions of magic and immortal life buoying the narrative. A standard court fantasy, unique in its expansion on the story of the Mid-Autumn Festival." - Kirkus Reviews
"Sue Lynn Tan has written a breathtaking debut novel that will sweep readers away to the moon and back. I can't remember the last time a book surprised and delighted me as much as this one. Epic, romantic, and enthralling from start to finish. I love this book." - Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Caraval series
"This vivid, unputdownable debut effortlessly whisks us into the celestial realms of Chinese high fantasy. Tan magnificently conjures the romantic yet dangerous dazzle of this immortal world, but never loses track of the shining human heart of her tale. A captivating treat for lovers of Chinese fantasy dramas and newcomers alike." - Shelley Parker-Chan, author of She Who Became the Sun
"A lush, dreamy gem of a novel." - Shannon Chakraborty, bestselling author of The City of Brass
This information about Daughter of the Moon Goddess was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
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, a compilation of fairy tales from around the world, and she spent much of her childhood lost in magical realms. When not writing or reading, she enjoys exploring the hills, lakes, and temples around her home.
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