HEART OF THE SUN WARRIOR by Sue Lynn Tan

The stunning sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess delves deeper into beloved Chinese mythology, concluding the epic story of Xingyin—the daughter of Chang’e and the mortal archer, Houyi—as she battles a grave new threat to the realm, in this powerful tale of love, sacrifice, and hope. 

After winning her mother’s freedom from the Celestial Emperor, Xingyin thrives in the enchanting tranquility of her home. But her fragile peace is threatened by the discovery of a strange magic on the moon and the unsettling changes in the Celestial Kingdom as the emperor tightens his grip on power. While Xingyin is determined to keep clear of the rising danger, the discovery of a shocking truth spurs her into a perilous confrontation.

Forced to flee her home once more, Xingyin and her companions venture to unexplored lands of the Immortal Realm, encountering legendary creatures and shrewd monarchs, beloved friends and bitter adversaries. With alliances shifting quicker than the tides, Xingyin has to overcome past grudges and enmities to forge a new path forward, seeking aid where she never imagined she would. As an unspeakable terror sweeps across the realm, Xingyin must uncover the truth of her heart and claw her way through devastation—to rise against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, and the worlds she has grown to love . . . even if doing so demands the greatest price of all.

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Title : Heart of the Sun Warrior
Author : Sue Lynn Tan
Series : The Celestial Kingdom #2
Format : eARC
Page Count : 480
Genre : Fantasy
Publisher : Harper Voyager
Release Date : November 10, 2022

Reviewer : Micky
Rating : ★ ★ ★ ★

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Micky’s 4 star review

Headlines:
Changing allegiances
Family, friends, love & grief
Epically-sized triangle

I feel like my whole reader’s heart has been invested in this duology. I’ve loved the world and it’s complexity, the characters good and bad have been written so well and Xingyin has been a worthy main character.

Heart of the Sun Warrior was a fast-paced sequel that had me on the edge of my seat. Xingyin’s brief status quo with her mother was turned upside down and in an insidious way with a rather evil villain. The cast of characters in this story were full of depth and the nasty charaters were developed as well as the beloved characters. The factions and rulers of this world sure were an egotistical lot in the main, trust was not an option.

This was an emotive story, tense, full of hurt, loss and grief and yet Tan brought those chinks of light and joy that kept you on the right side of hope. I read much of the second half with my heart in my mouth right until the final pages.

Talking of the final pages, I did struggle a little with that ending…I just wanted something more.

Thank you to Harper Voyager for the eARC.