Beyond the novel’s plot, what I liked the most was how it dwelled on and indulged in jealousy and love. I got too much joy from reading this book. If she ever were to reveal her parentage, she and her mother would be horribly punished.
The threat of exposure hangs over Xingyin. Xingyin moves through the book attempting to create a stable life for herself, but she is effectively the fantastical equivalent of an undocumented citizen in this celestial realm. Tan spins a story in which skill and talent do not necessarily make for a good life and abiding by the oppressive whims of a celestial monarchy does not ensure long-term security. However, as the novel progresses, the overall messaging becomes murkier. The first half of the book opens with the promise of upward mobility and ambition fulfilled. As befitting her parentage, Xingyin’s fantastic skill with the bow helps her quickly start attracting recognition. Away from home for the first time, Xingyin assumes a new identity in a major Celestial city, where she comes into the orbit of the prince of the realm, accompanying him to his lessons and to his military practice. Thus, when celestial agents come to investigate the Moon’s palace, Xingyin is forced to leave her mother’s side and is spirited away in the dead of night.
However, because the governing celestial beings have punished and mandated that the Moon Goddess remain solitary, Xingyin’s existence must be kept secret. So yes, for anyone familiar with Chinese art history and iconography, the immortal characters do ride clouds in “Daughter of the Moon Goddess.”Īs the title declares, the main character is Xingyin, a daughter born of the Moon’s union with a legendary human archer. The bulk of the novel is set on the Celestial Plane, away from earthly squabbles. The novel “Daughter of the Moon Goddess” diverges from the growing body of Asian fantasy series by covering heavenly immortals rather than the archetypal mortal protagonist. Tan’s novel, straightforward in its literary offerings, delivers on all fronts: adventure, romance and xianxia (Chinese mythology/fantasy) genre elements. It is the perfect book to accompany a hot pot of tea and a steady stream of snacks - you will read it in one sitting, I promise.
The first installment of Sue Lynn Tan’s duology, “Daughter of the Moon Goddess,” remains engrossing until the final page.
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