Heart of the Sun Warrior: A Novel (Celestial Kingdom)

“For we were complex creatures of shades of gray, capable of wonderful and terrible things ... of change, because our natures were not fixed like the stars in the sky but flowing as the river toward an unknown horizon.”I LOVED Daughter of the Moon Goddess and I love Heart of the Sun Warrior even more. Sue Lynn Tan is an amazing author. Heart of the Sun Warrior picks up shortly after Daughter of the Moon Goddess ends. It immediately drew me in and Sue Lynn Tan’s writing style made me feel like I was at the edge of the scene watching everything happen. Her prose makes it so easy to envision the story. My heart ached for Xingyin through her sorrow, fear, bravery, and eventually joy. I switched between the physical copy and the audiobook for this book. I really enjoyed the narrator for the audiobook. I thought their narration added even more emotion to the story. Heart of the Sun Warrior is one of my top reads of the year and I can’t wait to see what Sue Lynn Tan writes next!A few more quotes I loved:“True happiness springs from within, a contentment with oneself. And while it may be humbler and quieter, there is nothing more precious and lasting,”“Love is a privilege, not a possession. We can't control our own feelings, much less those of others. Sometimes love means letting go-for yourself, if not for them.”Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

WHAT AN ENDING! Sue Lynn Tan don't owe me NOTHING!I'm struggling to put my feelings into words right now, just moments after finishing the tumultuous events of the last 100 or so pages of this one. I cried so many times due to pain, loss, remembrance, joy, hope, love - it was an emotional roller coaster that practically gave me whiplash.Xingyin has returned to her home on the moon, at peace again now that she has earned her mother her freedom. A startling discovery one evening unveils a great mystery surrounding the laurel grove - one that has attracted some very power hungry immortals. After an attack on their home on the moon, Xingyin and her mother flee to the Immortal Realm, hoping to find someone who will shelter them. Xingyin is forced into court politics in exchange for safe harbor, which also means alliances with those she would prefer to shoot with her bow.Then a danger emerges that threatens both the Immortal AND Mortal realms: magic that has been perverted to create unholy terrors....terrors that are nigh impossible to overcome. Xingyin and her allies must find a way to destroy this evil before it wipes out everyone and everything she loves.The last third of this book is what saved it and had it squeak into the 4 star range. (I respect that star ratings mean different things to different readers, but 4 stars for me means that while I loved it, it had a thing or two I think could have been done better or done without. That's my subjective opinion, other readers might find those things to be their favorite parts.)A large chunk of the book had me thinking to myself that DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS should have been a standalone. Then Sue Lynn Tan worked her magic and changed my mind with the beauty of how she concluded this Chinese mythological tale. Until it clicked with me and changed my mind, I frankly was reading it only because I love the writing style of the author. There was a large focus on the love triangle aspect that I did not enjoy...at least, not at first. Upon reflection after finishing the book, the three people involved in the triangle didn't enjoy it either: it was filled with pain and tragedy. When I realized this, I began dialing in on what these characters were going through, their thoughts and emotions - actions they took for each other, while also at times giving in to their own selfishness. It was so human - love isn't perfect, it's messy and full of ups and downs.I had hoped to find this one as action packed as the first, but that was not the case. This story felt more to me like I was sitting at the feet of Xingyin, as she recounted the story of her past, for this one was more of a tell instead of show. I don't typically care for stories told in that fashion, but again, Sue Lynn Tan held me entranced with her lyrical prose. I think character driven readers will enjoy the focus on the characters and their relationships to one another.

I devoured this book; excellent pacing, vibrant characters, colorful descriptions, it is perfect. If you like wuxia dramas these are for you.

I loved this tale of loyalty, love, honor and sacrifice. I have been waiting eagerly for the second book after loving the first one, and after many moons, my library hold came through! The heroine is so precious, growing and finally seeing her dreams come true, though they may take a different form than she expected. I loved the heartache and the doubt and courage explored in this book. I hope the author keeps writing!

I was eager to read this book after finishing the Daughter of the Moon Goddess, and the story was gripping enough that I read through it quickly, but the conclusion left me feeling sad and empty. Pseudo spoilers ahead...The protagonist is put though so much unnecessary pain, and in the end she abandons her first love, who pretty much always respected and stood by her, for one who literally stripped her of her magic and imprisoned her? I get the whole you can't control who you love and sometimes you need to give people second chances thing, but it just felt so wrong.

I’ll admit, Tan almost lost me there at the end….. but she saved it! We received a very different version on Xingyin in this sequel (though I don’t think it was positive character development). I normally relish a good love triangle… but this one was emotionally taxing. It’s easy to become quickly frustrated with the main character and the way she clumsily navigates her romantic future. I expected much more from her as well as some of the returning characters. There were also some plot twists sprinkled throughout the story that just felt pointlessly cruel. Either way, it was still worth reading, though if anyone would like to stop after the first book, I wouldn’t fault you for choosing your own ending for our heroine Xingyin. You might like your own better than the alternative.

This was a beautiful ending to a wonderful duology. This was an amazing story of love, loss, and family. Trust the process of this story. I was worried I would not like the ending, but it ended so nicely. Sad to say goodbye to these special characters.

Love, loss, battle, betrayal... hope. It's all here.I had a tough time putting this book down, even though I didn't want it to end. I'll undoubtedly read these again and will undoubtedly enjoy them just as much.

Gostei tanto mas tanto do desfecho da história

Me encanto

Liked the first book so I had to buy the second one as well. It didn’t disappoint me and I just love the cover & story!

As great a The Daughter of the Moon Goddess"! It takes you to a fantastic world full of wonders, feelings and adventures. And yet, so full of wisdom...

Dieser und der erste Teil sind absolute Favoriten. Teilweise sehr fesselnd und emotional. Empfehle es immer wieder weiter.