Review by Booklist Review
Inspired by the Chinese legend of Chang'e, the moon goddess, Tan's luminous fantasy debut focuses not on the mythical figure imprisoned on the moon for stealing the elixir of immortality, but her daughter, Xingyin. Xingyin lives a peaceful if solitary existence with her mother, who lights the moon's lanterns each night. This sheltered life is shattered when the cruel Celestial Empress visits, setting off a chain reaction that ends with Xingyin fleeing for her life. Through a combination of luck, charity, and her own resilience, she regroups, disguising herself and securing a position in the Celestial Kingdom as Prince Liwei's companion and, after discovering an affinity for archery and magic, as one of their rising warriors. Xingyin's plan is to gain enough renown to win her mother's freedom, but a shocking betrayal forces her to make a twisted bargain with the warmongering Celestial Emperor. Amid lush, poetic descriptions of life in the immortal realm, Xingyin's numerous coming-of-age adventures range from bloody battles with legendary monsters to falling for two wildly different men. This is a refreshing retelling of a classic Chinese folktale.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
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. (Jan.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
DEBUT Tan's epic fantasy (the first in a duology) draws on the mythology of Chang'e, the Chinese goddess of the moon. Protagonist Xingyin has only ever known a life of solitude on the moon with her mother and trusted servants. She's unaware that her mother is in exile, for stealing the Celestial Emperor's elixir of life and transforming into the Moon Goddess. Xingyin's existence has been kept hidden, until her magic flares and the Emperor investigates; she's forced to run away to the beautiful, secretive Celestial Kingdom. Hiding her identity becomes second nature to Xingyin, even when she becomes study partner and servant to the Celestial Crown Prince. As Xingyin searches for a way to free her mother from exile, she must also face battles of honor, love, and sacrifice; following her heart could destroy the kingdom she has been trained to protect. VERDICT 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.--Kristi Chadwick, Massachusetts Lib. Syst., Northampton
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Set against a background of Chinese mythology, a young woman resolves to save her mother from magical imprisonment. Xingyin is the daughter of Chang'e, the Moon Goddess, imprisoned on the moon for offending the Celestial Emperor. Xingyin's very existence is a secret--as part of her punishment, Chang'e is to have no unsanctioned visitors. When Celestial soldiers almost discover her, Xingyin runs away, promising not to reveal her parentage and determined to reverse her mother's punishment. Alone in the Celestial Kingdom, Xingyin has the remarkable good fortune of becoming Prince Liwei's companion, attending his lessons and learning not only herbology and magic, but also the fighting arts. Xingyin and Liwei grow close, but as Liwei is the son of those responsible for Chang'e's imprisonment, Xingyin must continually hide a part of herself. As Xingyin pursues her goals, others plot against the Celestial Kingdom, and the emperor and empress are not without their own machinations. 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. Xingyin is sometimes frustratingly successful and spends much more time with her male love interests than her female friends, but 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. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
