Synopsis:
Heart of the Sun Warrior is the sequel to Daughter of Moon Goddess in The Celestial Kingdom duology. Xingyin has finally achieved peace after her dangerous mission to rescue her mother. However, her serenity is short-lived when a strange magic is discovered on the moon and the Emperor of the Celestial Kingdom begins to tighten his hold on power. Though Xingyin tries to steer clear of the impending danger, a shocking truth forces her into a dangerous confrontation. With no choice but to flee once again, Xingyin and her companions embark on a journey to the uncharted lands of the Immortal Realm. Along the way, they encounter mythical creatures and cunning rulers, as well as friends and foes both old and new. As alliances shift and change, Xingyin must confront past grievances to forge a new path forward. In her quest for aid, she must seek help from unexpected sources. As a nameless terror ravages the realm, Xingyin must confront her innermost truths and overcome unspeakable devastation. She must rise up against this evil before it destroys everything she holds dear, including the worlds she has grown to love. Even if it requires the ultimate sacrifice, Xingyin will fight to protect all that she holds dear.
Thoughts:
While I appreciated the beautiful writing style of this book, I can’t help but feel conflicted about it. It seemed like some of the characters went through a significant regression from the previous book, particularly Xingyin who came across as naive and uncertain. The addition of new characters felt unnecessary and caused the story to drag on longer than it needed to.
And don’t even get me started on the love triangle – both Wenzi and Liwei were completely insufferable in their own ways, which was disappointing considering how much I enjoyed them in the first book. Wenzi’s transformation into a remorseful stalker felt forced and unconvincing, while Liwei was just plain whiny.
But my biggest issue was with the lack of consequences for the emperor, who was the root cause of all the suffering experienced by the characters. It felt unsatisfying that he was able to get away with everything without any repercussions.
In my opinion, the pacing of this book was not up to par, and I can understand why some readers may have abandoned it. The flow between chapters was choppy, and it lacked consistency, which made it difficult to follow. Additionally, there were several instances where the author repeated the same idea or sentence, which was frustrating. It felt as if the story was rushed, and it left me feeling disappointed. Consequently, I may regard The Daughter of the Moon Goddess as a standalone.
Rating:
3.0/5.0
Beautiful Book Covers of The Celestial Kingdom Duology
