Daughter of the Moon Goddess

Starred review from October 18, 2021
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. The moon goddess, Chang’e, is imprisoned in her palace where she hides her secret, half-mortal daughter, Xingyin. When Xingyin’s existence is exposed to the Celestial Emperor, she’s forced to flee her home—but rather than laying low, she sets out on a mission to free her mother. She disguises herself in order to navigate the devious workings of the Celestial imperial court, hoping to gain enough status to bargain with the Celestial Emperor himself. Along the way, she becomes companion to the Crown Prince, finds a confidante in the Captain of the Celestial Army, and follows in her mortal father’s footsteps to become a renowned archer. But Xingyin’s coming-of-age adventures inevitably force her to choose between the people she loves and the fate of the world. Tan paints a lush, sparkling world in her inventive reimagining of the age-old Chinese folktale. The result is a riveting page-turner that will leave fantasy lovers satisfied and eager for more. Agent: Naomi Davis, Bookends Literary.