⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 stars | This debut fantasy was high on my list of anticipated reads for 2022 and it did not disappoint. It's inspired by a Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess, and while it's admittedly lore I'm not familiar with, I was very much drawn to her story and how the author put her own spin on it. The main heroine is Xingyin, the daughter of the moon goddess, who is unaware that her mother is exiled and that her existence is actually a secret. When Xingyin's magic flares and puts a target on them, she's forced to leave her home on her own and thus begins her journey of finding a way to free her mother. Under a disguise, she wins an opportunity to learn magic and archery alongside the emperor's son and it isn't a surprise when their friendship turns to romance (prepare to swoon!).
I was a huge fan of the world, its magic, and the different legendary creatures that Xingyin crosses paths with on her road to becoming a fierce warrior. I loved her devotion to her mother and her determination but I was glad she wasn't a one-note character wholly focused on that. We get to see her softer side and vulnerability with romance, making friends (especially female ones), missing home, and wondering if her efforts will ever lead anywhere. There was a strong cast of characters and I'm hoping we'll get to see even more of them in the second book (it's a duology!). Where I thought the story could've used some help was with the pacing and overall length of the book. It actually spans quite a few years and some areas did drag a little so those parts could've been streamlined, in my humble opinion. But overall, I enjoyed this debut a great deal and I'm looking forward to seeing where the author takes the story next!
Do I recommend? Yes! I would say borrow first though before buying. I'm still debating if I want to own a copy myself to be honest. Even though it's not a new favorite, the cover (both the US and the UK versions) are just absolutely beautiful!
This was my first read of 2022 and I was fell in love with the characters and the world! Definitely agree that the pacing was a bit off at times but I'm still excited to see what the sequel holds!
ReplyDeleteriv @ dearrivarie
I ended up really enjoying this one too! I agree that it could have been a little shorter, but overall it was a really fun read!
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