nobody told me the moon goddess was a milf? if that didn’t give it away, i adore this story — already down as one of my favorite reads of the new year.
There are many legends about my mother. Some say she betrayed her husband, a great mortal warrior, stealing his Elixir of Immortality to become a goddess.
it was no wonder that xingyin’s tale was epic — i mean, who better destined for greatness than the daughter of a father who slew the suns and a mother who lights the moon? her hero’s journey was full of family honor and the courage to hold true to your values yet, more than that, there was this aching, persistent thread running through xingyin’s storyline of needing to be with your loved ones again. because at the end of the day, xingyin doesn’t slay terrifying monsters and earn the emperor’s favor for traditional honor or to live as a legend — she risked her life again and again because she just wants to see her mother again. that’s when i knew i could trust sue lynn tan to deliver a damn good story because i, too, would brave a nine-headed beast that spits acid just to hug my own mama again.
the pacing of this story was impeccable, the plot rolled steadily, the characters were exuberant, and the romance? phew the amount of times i squealed and rolled around while giggling on my bed was horrible. dread filled me at the hint at a love triangle, but the author executed it so well that i was honestly torn when i finished the last chapter. but my heart will always gravitate towards sweetheart love interests. and who better to add to those ranks than crown prince liwei himself?
“When I’m with you, I feel you see me for who I am — not the crown or the kingdom. Not the favors I can extend or withhold.” He sighed then, with exaggerated heaviness. “Little did I know what I got myself into. Every night I fall asleep, worn out from your attacks, your insults ringing between my ears —”
this man can have everything and anything he wants. he is so pure and kind (i want to [explicit content] the [explicit content] out of him). my man has been playing the slow burn game since the day he met xingyin. he has 101840 wedding plans with her outlined. he puts food on her plate before his. she harms anything, he doesn’t hesitate to say “omg babe what did they do” and stand by her side. boy-obsessed trope always hits. sorry, i don’t make the rules. he teases xingyin because he knows her comebacks are twice as hard. he can’t imagine life without her. he’s scholarly and honorable with kindness guiding his every action. he is grace, he is beauty.
while wenzhi is like it’s about drive it’s about power we stay hungry we devour. captain wenzhi is the most renounced young warrior in the immortal realm. he knows how to work any weapon, to strategize any advancements on the battlefield — whether it’s bargaining or war. besties, if we’re being honest with each other, i wasn’t inclined as much to this man until near the end because that’s when he went from “okay nice he’s hot or whatever” to “i would kinkshame this man bc i would do all my kinks with him.” i will not elaborate due to spoilers. but his arc is something to be witnessed, so i urge you to read this magnificent debut novel.
Bending down, he whispered in my ear, “When the battle lines are drawn, advance with a clear mind.”
i finished this within a day, yet i was so immersed in this brilliantly woven world of immortal firebirds, cloud travel, benevolent dragons, horrible tea making, powerful bows with sky fire arrows, and beautiful flute playing. and the amount of times i said “alexa, play jealousy jealousy by olivia rodrigo” still makes me cackle. so don’t hesitate to pick this one up — you won’t regret it. happy reading!
book cover appreciation because look at xingyin! the world stops whenever she shoots an arrow she’s so powerful that way. spoilers ahead! the following section is only for people who read the book
thea’s deep dive
first of all, there’s no way xingyin’s father is dead. i know we visited his grave, but unless i get an explanation, i refuse. i wanted her to meet houyi so bad that i really thought the mysterious archer she saw when they were rescuing the phoenix princess was him. the disappointment almost blew back my entire body when it was actually wenzhi. my hopes plummeted just like those sunbirds that houyi shot down. so, maybe i’m in denial. or maybe i’m thinking ahead. because how cool and fulfilling would that be? to see xingyin and chang’e reunited with houyi, their little family finally, wholly complete after so much suffering and yearning? it’s the least they deserve (i am so protective over this family). so. they’re gonna have a reunion in the last book. ma’am sue: please do not disappoint me in november!!
when wenzhi’s betrayal arc happened, i gasped out loud. i never expected it. but it was satisfying because it fit so well with his character. of course, this renowned and private character has an ulterior motive of bringing down the kingdom that praises him in order to be the crown prince in his homeland because his half-brother is a disgusting prick that doesn’t deserve the throne. and it helps his case how he’s so in love with xingyin, all too happy to be part of her harem. he believes in her skills, never underestimates her, always makes sure he has her back. and to be stabbed in the back and captured to his homeland where she gets all her weapons taken away? no wonder my girl xingyin was angry. he pitted their ambitions against each other and put his above hers, when xingyin worked her ass off only to be blindsided by one of her most trusted friends. and so thus, this is the best angst in all the land. because he still wants her and she won’t admit she still cares for him. oh, and how could i forget? he can visit her in her dreams. i’ve seen this trope in the bloodlines series by richelle mead, in warcross by marie lu, and it always hits. i’m ready for it.
He inclined his head gravely. “Perhaps. However you see me, I will wait until you do.”
“Do what?”
“Love me again.” His fingers brushed the side of my head, lightly stroking my hair. “Or at least, not hate me anymore.”
Before I could jerk away, a scathing retort on my tongue, he had disappeared.
also fuck minister wu. this bitch can go die in the most painful way possible because what a nuisance. can’t wait to see how he perishes in november ❤
thea reads 
the most magical lovely review!
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cossette 🥺
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