Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan Summary

Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a debut fantasy novel inspired by the Chinese legend of Chang'e, the moon goddess. The story follows Xingyin, the secret daughter of the imprisoned moon goddess Chang'e, as she flees her isolated home on the moon after her magic is discovered by the ruthless Celestial Empress. She embarks on a dangerous journey through the Celestial Kingdom to earn her freedom and rescue her mother from eternal imprisonment.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess is ideal for readers who love adult fantasy inspired by Chinese mythology and folklore. This book appeals to fans of romantic fantasy with strong female protagonists, coming-of-age narratives, and stories featuring magic, immortals, and dragons. Readers who enjoy mythological retellings, court intrigue, archery-focused heroes, and emotionally rich mother-daughter relationships will find this captivating.

Sue Lynn Tan is a Malaysian-born fantasy author who currently lives in Hong Kong with her family. She studied in London and France before becoming a USA Today and Sunday Times bestselling author. Tan writes fantasy and romance inspired by the Chinese myths and legends she loved as a child. Her debut novel Daughter of the Moon Goddess launched a successful duology that will be translated into eighteen languages.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess is a USA Today and Sunday Times bestseller praised for its captivating characters, thrilling action scenes, and magical storytelling. The novel elegantly brings Chinese mythology to life with vivid worldbuilding of the Celestial Kingdom and immortals. Readers highlight the compelling coming-of-age narrative, romantic elements, and the protagonist's journey from sheltered innocence to strength and independence as particularly engaging.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess reimagines the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese moon goddess who stole her husband Houyi's elixir of immortality. In traditional mythology, Chang'e drank the elixir and fled to the moon. Sue Lynn Tan reimagines this tale by giving Chang'e a different motive: she drank the elixir to save her daughter Xingyin's life from the vengeful Celestial Empress, who was angry that Houyi killed ten sunbirds.

After fleeing the moon to escape the Celestial Empress, Xingyin crashes into the Celestial Kingdom where she becomes a mistreated servant in a noble household. She meets Crown Prince Liwei, who helps her escape her poor conditions, and she becomes his companion at the Jade Palace. There, Xingyin discovers her inherited talents for archery, music, and magic while studying and training alongside the prince.

Liwei is the Celestial Crown Prince who becomes Xingyin's closest friend and eventual lover in Daughter of the Moon Goddess. He rescues Xingyin from servitude and enables her to study and train at the Jade Palace. Their relationship transforms from friendship to romance, but is shattered at Liwei's coming-of-age banquet when the Celestial Empress announces his betrothal to a neighboring princess, devastating Xingyin.

The Crimson Lion Talisman is a powerful artifact that Xingyin believes she can use to bargain for her mother Chang'e's freedom from imprisonment on the moon. To earn this talisman, Xingyin joins the Celestial Army and requests the flexibility to choose her own missions, bypassing typical military hierarchy. Her quest for the talisman drives her to work undercover while honing her archery skills inherited from her father Houyi.

Xingyin discovers she has inherited exceptional archery skills from her father Houyi, the legendary archer who killed ten sunbirds with an enchanted ice bow. In Sue Lynn Tan's novel, Xingyin learns about her father's feat when she finds a book detailing how Houyi used the magical ice bow. This discovery of her archery proficiency becomes central to her identity and her efforts to gain enough status to free her mother from the moon.

Wenzhi is the dashing captain of the Celestial Army who comforts Xingyin after she is heartbroken by Liwei's arranged betrothal to another princess. He becomes a new acquaintance and significant figure in Xingyin's life as she decides to enlist in the army. Wenzhi represents an alternative romantic interest and ally as Xingyin navigates the dangerous political landscape of the Celestial Kingdom while pursuing her mission to free her mother.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess explores themes of maternal sacrifice, identity, and independence through Xingyin's coming-of-age journey. The novel examines what parents will do to protect their children, as Chang'e sacrifices everything to save Xingyin. Additional themes include:

• navigating betrayal and heartbreak
• finding strength through adversity
• honoring cultural mythology while forging one's own destiny
• the complexities of love across forbidden boundaries in an immortal realm

The sequel to Daughter of the Moon Goddess is Heart of the Sun Warrior, completing Sue Lynn Tan's Celestial Kingdom duology. Published after the 2022 debut, this continuation follows Xingyin's story further. Sue Lynn Tan has also released Tales of the Celestial Kingdom, a compilation featuring stories from before, during, and after the events of both novels, told from perspectives of beloved characters and illustrated by Kelly Chong.