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I devoured this book over the weekend! But before I shriek about it...
Y'ALL.
This story was EPIC! This book deserves to be a 50-episode drama, with an unlimited budget, amazing SFX, a sweeping soundtrack. I am glad it is just a book right now because I don't know that I would have had the patience to wait for the story to unfold over the course of a drama, but just the costume descriptions had me salivating. My knowledge of Chinese actors is pretty limited right now, especially the fantasy series, but after I saw a post on Tumblr about how thoroughly Wang Yibo disappears into his roles, I cast him as Crown Prince Liwei. I don't know who I would pick for Captain Wenzhi or Xingyin, but I do know that if I ever become obscenely wealthy, I would pay to have this developed into a series. Also, do check out the author's website, because there are some lovely illustrations of the characters.
There's a heartbreaking love triangle and lots of action. Normally, I am not a fan of love triangles unless they truly become a triangle (hello, Iron Widow), but this one was handled deftly, with a perfect balance of angst while giving each character solid motivation and development.
There is a sequel, Heart of the Sun Warrior, but this book ends on a solid note, wrapping up the main conflict in a satisfying way, so if you don't have the time to jump right into the next book, which was published in November 2022, you won't be left at the edge of the cliff. And if you get a paperback copy published in the US, flip through it before buying -- my copy, which I ordered back in October, was missing pages 192-193! Luckily, I found a PDF online so I could get the missing pages (which turned out to be a paragraph at the end of one chapter and a little bit of the beginning of the next chapter). First time something like that has ever happened to me!
Here is a synopsis from the author's website:
A young woman's quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm.
Growing up on the moon, Xingyin is unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing the elixir of immortality. But when Xingyin’s magic flares and her existence is discovered, she is forced to flee her home, leaving her mother behind.
Alone, powerless, and afraid, she makes her way to the Celestial Kingdom, a land of wonder and secrets. Disguising her identity, she seizes an opportunity to train alongside the emperor’s son, mastering archery and magic, even as passion flames between her and the prince.
To save her mother, Xingyin embarks on a perilous quest, confronting legendary creatures and vicious enemies. However, when treachery looms and forbidden magic threatens the kingdom, she must challenge the ruthless Celestial Emperor for her dream—striking a dangerous bargain in which she is torn between losing all she loves or plunging the realm into chaos.
Y'ALL.
This story was EPIC! This book deserves to be a 50-episode drama, with an unlimited budget, amazing SFX, a sweeping soundtrack. I am glad it is just a book right now because I don't know that I would have had the patience to wait for the story to unfold over the course of a drama, but just the costume descriptions had me salivating. My knowledge of Chinese actors is pretty limited right now, especially the fantasy series, but after I saw a post on Tumblr about how thoroughly Wang Yibo disappears into his roles, I cast him as Crown Prince Liwei. I don't know who I would pick for Captain Wenzhi or Xingyin, but I do know that if I ever become obscenely wealthy, I would pay to have this developed into a series. Also, do check out the author's website, because there are some lovely illustrations of the characters.
There's a heartbreaking love triangle and lots of action. Normally, I am not a fan of love triangles unless they truly become a triangle (hello, Iron Widow), but this one was handled deftly, with a perfect balance of angst while giving each character solid motivation and development.
There is a sequel, Heart of the Sun Warrior, but this book ends on a solid note, wrapping up the main conflict in a satisfying way, so if you don't have the time to jump right into the next book, which was published in November 2022, you won't be left at the edge of the cliff. And if you get a paperback copy published in the US, flip through it before buying -- my copy, which I ordered back in October, was missing pages 192-193! Luckily, I found a PDF online so I could get the missing pages (which turned out to be a paragraph at the end of one chapter and a little bit of the beginning of the next chapter). First time something like that has ever happened to me!
