Un flechazo a la luna

by Emily X.R. Pan, Carla Bataller Estruch (Translator)

ROMEO Y JULIETA EN LA MITOLOGÍA CHINA EN FAIRBRIDGE, DONDE TRANSCURRE ESTA HISTORIA.

La puntería de Hunter Yee con el arco y la flecha siempre es perfecta, aunque todo lo demás en su vida va mal. Harto de que lo atormenten los errores que su familia cometió en el pasado, lo único que le impide escapar de allí es su hermano pequeño, un viento sobrenatural y una chica fascinante en su nuevo instituto. Luna Chang tiene miedo al futuro. La graduación se acerca y las expectativas de sus padres la asfixian. Pero entonces empieza a romper las normas y su vida da un giro inesperado por culpa del extraño nuevo chico de su clase, la llegada de unas luciérnagas mágicas y una grieta inquietante que se extiende por toda la ciudad de Fairbridge. Mientras Hunter y Luna sortean la enemistad y los secretos de sus familias, todo a su alrededor se desmorona. Solo pueden confiar en su amor... pero se les acaba el tiempo y el destino se saldrá con la suya.

Un flechazo a la luna, la brillante y etérea segunda novela de Emily X.R. Pan tras El asombroso color del después , es una historia sobre la familia, el amor, la magia y el misterio de la luna que nos une a todos.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Mythology, Retellings, Magical Realism, Contemporary

384 pages, Paperback

First published April 12, 2022

About the author

Emily X.R. Pan is the New York Times bestselling author of THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF AFTER, which won the APALA Honor Award and Walter Honor Award. It was also a finalist for the L.A. Times Book Prize, longlisted for the Carnegie Medal, and named by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 Best YA Books of All Time. Her latest novel, AN ARROW TO THE MOON, was an instant national bestseller, a Locus Award finalist, a CALA Award nominee, and featured on NPR’s Best Books of 2022. Emily is currently on the faculty of the creative writing MFA program at The New School. She has also taught at Harvard University, New York University, and Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Reviews

[jessica yeung · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is an interesting take on the tale of chang'e and houyi with a decent foundation, but the final product feels very unfinished.

i really enjoyed the chinese mythology aspect of this. i could definitely see the parallels between the two stories and loved seeing how an ancient myth could play out in the modern world. i also really enjoyed hunter as a character. his bond with his little brother cody is honestly what makes this entire book. very wholesome, very touching.

but after finishing this, im just left with more questions than answers, which is quite unfortunate. nothing really feels as developed or fleshed out as it should, leaving most of the characters feeling pretty one-dimensional, the plot feeling a little all over the place, and the opposition not really feeling like a threat. which is too bad because the writing is really quite pretty, it just does quite give enough to make the story work, imo.

so i would probably recommend EXRPs debut novel, ‘the astonishing color of after,’ instead.

↠ 3.5 stars

[Emily Pan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romeo & Juliet meets Chinese mythology (Houyi & Chang'e). This is my ode to the myths I breathed and swallowed and slept in all my childhood. This is my story for the Asian Americans like me, growing up in places they never quite belonged, and discovering their personal magic in that solitude. 🏹🌙

[Hailey (Hailey in Bookland)]

I read this in this reading vlog!

I'm always nervous when I love an author's debut that I won't like their next one, but luckily I loved this one. It really reminded me of how much I loved the writing in her first book. I'm not familiar with the myth this is retelling, so because of that I had no idea where the story was going. I ended up being surprised by how emotional it was. I wasn't sure for quite a bit of it where it was going, but I really liked it. It was a modern twist and a really unique story overall!

[destiny ♡ howling libraries]

DNF

I'm sad to DNF this, given how much I loved Emily's debut and how excited I was to read this new release, but I'm so bored. :( Maybe I'll try it again someday, but every page is just dragging by.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.

———
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[Debra · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

Dubbed as "Romeo and Juliet meets Chinese mythology" I thought this would be my cup of tea. The premise was so intriguing to me, and I loved Romeo and Juliet so I thought this would be a no-brainer. This book had a strong start and slowly I began to lose interest. I tend to love books that utilize mythology and folklore but this one soon went from strong to the I-lost-interest department for me.

I wonder if I had read the book and not listened to it, would I have enjoyed it more? I don't have any issues with the narrators, but words often jump off the page and I wonder what my experience would have been had I read this. The characters failed to wow me, and I really never felt for them or their plight. Hunter and Luna are so different, yet they feel an instant pull to each other. Each one is dealing with their individual family dynamics and issues. Their families are at odds, and both would not approve of their relationship.

I believe this is going to be a book that people either love or find it just doesn't work for them. Many are giving this book high marks and please seek out those reviews and decide if this book is the right one for you.

Thank you to Hachette Audio, Little, Brown Young Readers and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com

[siu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Having two families who hate each other does not mean it’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling, that’s just family drama. There was no chemistry between Luna and Hunter. They are so terribly awkward and dry around each other the entire book. The plot was nonexistent, the last 15 pages was where it all happened. The characters fell flat and this book read all monotone. Good thing the chapters were so short I was still able to read it all even though I wanted to DNF it so badly.

[Elle]

Give me aaaaaaaallllllllllll the mythological Romeo & Juliet retellings please!!!!! 🌜🏹

[lisa ★ · Rating 1 out of 5]

This ARC is kindly provided by NetGalley and Hachette Children's Group in exchange for my honest review. This review contains my opinion and mine only.

What a ridiculously boring book! Pitched as "Romeo and Juliet meets Chinese mythology", I went into the copy expecting a new all-time favorite, but all I did was waste my time.

Luna Chang is a model, straight-As daughter who is expected to attend the Ivies simply because her parents want to. She struggles with the prospect of not being able to claim her future herself, and when she meets Hunter Yee, the disappointment of his family and enigmatic new student, Luna begins to explore the possibility of her own future.

I desperately wanted to love this book. I read the author's debut The Astonishing Color of After last year and adored it, so of course, I had expected this one to be as excellent, especially when it promises to deliver an Asian-inspired Romeo and Juliet. However, while reading, I was so irritated by everything.

The plot:

The idea of Romeo and Juliet with Asian mythology in itself is very compelling, but a good idea is nothing without good execution, but here it failed regrettably. For a 400-pages book, An Arrow to the Moon feels like random fragments clumsily juxtaposed into a book. The book is inconsistent, as the pacing and the time jumps don't always make sense (sometimes it takes three chapters from three different POVs to cover a 20-minute-scene, while in other places there are several weeks jump from one chapter to another.) I did not enjoy the ending either, as I find that the events can be tied up nicely within the actions on Earth and not with the weirdly poetic final chapters that didn't go with the book.

The characters:

Personal preference aside, I find that most of the characters felt flat. Both Luna and Hunter don't have any particular personality traits besides the ones listed in the synopsis. Besides from being high schoolers who (sometimes) see some weird stuff, they don't really add much spice to the story. Additionally, while their parents' rivalry is so stupid, I find that their backstories are much more developed than Hunter's and Luna's, which is not a good thing to do. Meanwhile, it is really interesting to be able to see other side characters' POVs other than the protagonists' since it's quite engaging to see their perspectives in a story where the events are not controlled by the main characters.

The romance:

The biggest issue I have with this book is probably the romance From the Romeo and Juliet pitch I expected to read an epic star-crossed lover trope with a lot of angst that would make me FEEL. I am bitterly disappointed. From the first 20% the instant attraction kinda threw me off, then for some time it went steadily, and right when I started to like it, somehow Luna and Hunter who started off as lunch and bus partners for 50 pages suddenly turned into lovers out of nowhere (and let's not talk about the sex.) With that underwhelming ending, I can't help but think that, maybe, Luna and Hunter could have been developed better, because they had so much potential.

Final thoughts:

I am leaving with bitter disappointment, although I wish I could give this book more than a 1/5. I will continue supporting Emily X.R. Pan because I still have faith, and although this book didn't work for me, I truly hope that other readers can love it more than I did.

[ash · Rating 1 out of 5]

i received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

this was incredibly underwhelming. on paper, it is an interesting story to tell and one that should be very compelling.

yet i found the execution quite mediocre. i was not at all surprised by anything nor was i amazed by any aspect of the book. everything felt so cartoonish. the plot had so much potential to be so good, Romeo and Juliet crossed with Houyi and Chang'e? i was sold! the author had so many opportunities to escalate the story and make everything better, yet every time an opportunity presented itself, the author always took the easy, boring route. i was frustrated. i was not immersed in the story. this was partly because of the writing, too, which i did not expect to be very simplistic. it was certainly easy to read, but it also brought the quality of the storytelling down.

the logic and reasoning were shallow and unconvincing; i did not feel the stakes at all. and the rivalry was so ridiculous and childish. adults (and parents at that!) don't act that way, or at least not the grown-ups in my community. are they truly so petty? was it ever that serious as to wish death upon them? it was absurd. next, the main characters fell flat to me. i noticed there was a lack of internal monologue, and it made the characters feel very one-dimensional to me— if we want to know any of their opinions or perspectives, then a dialogue with a side character will happen so that we know what they think about certain topics. moreover, the characters had no personality outside their roles — student, daughter, son, brother. i don't know these characters outside of the roles they play in society despite nearly 400 pages of material on them. this brings me to my next point, the other POVs; because while it added something to the plot, they were not at all interesting and it made the two main characters weaker. those extra pages could've been used to better develop the characters and their relationship to each other, because i honestly did not give a single fuck about their parents or the brother or the antagonist. what reason did i have to care about their stories when the author did not give me any reason to?

lastly, questions like how did hunter start archery? how could his parents afford lessons in the first place? or think of such a niche hobby to teach their son? especially when he was a sickly child? should have been addressed, because though this detail is minute and doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things, it makes the story more grounded and believable. perhaps the only thing i liked were the Chinese traditions shown, but unfortunately they were not enough to bring up the rating. and if i may nitpick, the pinyin should include the tones.

what sent me over the edge was the boring romance and the horrible resolution, that did not resolve anything at all. their storylines were just abandoned and it felt like all that running around was for nothing. i wouldn't recommend this anyone.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shimmering, expansive, ambitious, gorgeously strange, threaded through with enchantments. And finally here!!

[☆ Mira ✷]

I got juicy insider knowledge about this book at Emily X. R. Pan's signing last week and I'm so excited ;)

[Fanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retellings have been trending on book lists and for all the right reasons. Whether it’s Chloe Gong’s YA romantic historical fantasy, These Violent Delights , or CB Lee’s fresh exploration of Treasure Island, as part of the “Remixed Classics” series by BIPOC authors, A Clash of Steel . Even reimaginings of Hindu epics like Ramayana (Vaishnavi Patel’s Kaikeyi ) or Mahabharata (Sangu Mandana’s A Spark of White Fire ) and fantasy inspired by Asian legends like Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan and A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin. A recent addition to this stack is An Arrow to the Moon —for it retells both the Shakespearean tragedy of Romeo & Juliet and the Chinese myth of Houyi & Chang’e. Of course, it’s something to wonder when the book is marketed majorly on the basis of which Western tale it’s inspired by, but I digress.

Luna and Hunter are two Asian American teenagers in their senior year in 1991. Hunter has recently transferred to Luna’s high school and both are unexpectedly drawn towards each other. Them being born on the same day seventeen years ago might be a reason, or maybe because they both have overbearing immigrant parents. After all, Hunter must be an obedient, ambitious elder son and Luna must get into Stanford. But these star-crossed lovers don’t need a reason to fall for each other. Except, they definitely have a reason not to: their families have despised each other and have always competed for everything —even a magical artefact.

Consider reading this review over on my blog.

Speaking of the speculative, these protagonists are subjects of excellence and wonder too as Hunter never misses a target with his bow and arrow, and fireflies often float around Luna like messengers of some destiny. The small town also witnesses an ominous crack spreading across it. As Hunter and Luna navigate their feelings and relationship, in the midst of familial expectations and restrictions, the magic around and within them brings them closer to something special, something they’re meant to be.

Romance in young adult books when mixed with mystical themes has often found itself overshadowed by the fantastical elements —not just from a marketing viewpoint but also when stories establish the speculative to be a central force. It’s refreshing to see the romance take centre stage in An Arrow to the Moon while the magic unfolds at the periphery. The author, in this sophomore novel of hers, truly impresses with the perfect blend of love and lore. Lush descriptions and beautiful sentences certainly aid in painting an otherworldly yet grounded backdrop for this story to unravel.

“But now he was in her orbit all day, one of them a moth, the other a flame. She wasn’t sure who was which.” This is just one of many displays of Pan’s lyrical and poetic writing, something that readers of her debut novel The Astonishing Color of After (2018) will remember and be excited to experience again after almost four years. The short chapters and an intriguing side character’s perspective make it impossible to not read this book in just a few sittings. Delivering exactly (and more) what it promises, it subtly injects the tragedy and mythology in between the lines. The legend around the Chinese goddess of the moon, her archer hero husband, and an elixir of immortality pierces the plot of this tale —earning an attention filled with awe and surprise.

Though, this book —that even the New York Times bestselling author says “is aggressively American” —wins most with its inclusion of Asian American experiences. Whether it’s the nature of one’s immigrant parents or the conflict of identity, the feeling of not belonging yet discovering a magic in that solitude, the various sacrifices made by a family and how each household depicts their love differently, or ultimately, growing up in the diaspora: where responsibility of walking down a decided path shackles you but the wide open skies also give you wings. Overall, An Arrow to the Moon , unlike those hit by Houyi in the poignant myth, lands with precision and leaves readers with heartaches.

Thank you, Little, Brown, for the review copy!

11.06.2021 romeo and juliet meets chinese mythology is the most simplistic description yet so alluring that i honestly can't wait.

[Frank-Intergalactic Bookdragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review July 2022
I'm conflicted on this book.

On the one hand, I do really love EXRP's beautiful yet easy to read prose and the magical elements were really out there and wonderful. However, I found the plot to be lacking and the characters uninteresting. I think I needed more convincing that Luna and Hunter were so deeply in love because I just never got the feeling they were this epic love story and the book would've benefitted from cutting some POVs and keeping it to Luna and Hunter so as to develop their relationship and explore the magic surrounding them. I also just don't like soulmates as a trope.

I've noticed from the more negative reviews that people were disappointed that this wasn't a retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Personally, I didn't expect that in the first place. The book is marketed as being like R&J, not as a retelling. R&J is simply a comparison. It's more so about the Chinese myth of Chang'e and Houyi. The only part that is like R&J is the fact the families don't like each other.

EXRP is an excellent writer. She's able to weave magic into contemporary settings effortlessly while writing beautiful prose. Both of which are traits this and her debut The Astonishing Color of After have in common. But the story of An Arrow To the Moon lacks any strong characterization or interesting plot. It really is just vibes.

Prereview September 2018
I don't care if there's not even a synopsis after The Astonishing Color of After I need more of this author's writing

[Maria Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

¿ERES DE LEYENDAS Y DE MITOLOGÍA CHINA👘?
¿TE ENCANTAN LAS HISTORIAS con un romance prohibido como el de Romeo y Julieta❤️‍🔥?

🌸Si es así, déjame presentarte "UN FLECHAZO A LA LUNA🏹🌛"

🌸Una cautivadora historia que te transportará hasta Fairbrige, un pueblo de lo más normal sino fuera porque en el suelo hay grietas tan grandes que amenazan con tragarse calles enteras. Y esto no es lo único excepcional que tiene este pueblo, porque también silva un viento muy especial y unas luciérnagas que, en contra de todo lo establecido, brillan en invierno.

🌸Es más, démosle la bienvenida a esa gota de misterio, a esa necesidad de saber qué pasará entre un arquero que nunca falla un tiro🏹 y una chica que sueña con la Luna🌛.

🌸Y es que, ya te lo digo de entrada (o casi de salida🤭), los capítulos son tan cortos que no podrás dejar de leer!

🌸Y por si te lo estás preguntando, aquí también encontrarás magia, pócimas, secretos inconfesables, amistad y mucho amor. Pero también es una historia que habla de la familia, de lo que significa perder la identidad de un país, del desarraigo, de los miedos...

RECUERDA: en una historia tan inolvidable como esta, es inevitable que nazca un amor tan puro como eterno🔥!

[Christina Pilkington · Rating 4 out of 5]

After adoring The Astonishing Color of After, I waited so long for Emily X.R. Pan to write another book. So I was SO excited when I learned about An Arrow to the Moon, especially after reading the premise.

Pan does a phenomenal job of writing stories that have the feel of a fairytale with the language of poetry. Her writing has a distinct style. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I sure want to drink it!

A little over halfway through, I was sure this was going to be another 5 star read for me. Besides adoring the writing, I thought Pan's take on the Romeo and Juliet story, the way she combined it with Chinese mythology, was brilliant! It was such a creative and unusual combination that worked so well together.

But the ending was a bit of a disappointment. IMO, it was wrapped up way too quickly. There were also plot lines that were abruptly dropped and some plot threads left hanging. I think I felt extra disappointed because most of the book was so incredible.

But I will definitely read whatever Pan writes next because her writing is gorgeous!

I'd recommend reading this book if you love magical realism, if you enjoy Romeo and Juliet retellings, and if you love beautiful writing.

[bookishcharli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a lovely read! A cute modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet infused with Chinese mythology that creates the perfect romantic YA read. As you’re accustomed with Romeo and Juliet, this story is filled with romance, warring families with secrets that could tear them all apart all centred around two young star crossed lovers. The plot was nicely paced and the multiple POV chapters were a great size so you keep your interest in the story, but can be a little confusing at the start as you need to get used to all the different characters coming at you with a chapter, but stick with it because it’s incredibly worth it. Luna and Hunter were incredibly sweet together and made this one more than worth a read, or 100 re-reads after the first one.

Thank you so much to Orion for sending me a proof.

[mads · Rating 2 out of 5]

"There once was a girl who lived on the moon as its guardian."

TW: bullying, child abuse, chronic illness, death, domestic abuse, infidelity, sexual content, violence.

Two families not getting along does not a Romeo & Juliet retelling make.

This was... hm. Yeah. I'm kinda disappointed. This felt like the idea of a novel, rather than an actual completed work. The story was kind of all over the place, the pacing was completely off, and the ending was both extremely rushed and very dissatisfying.

Don't get me wrong, there were things I enjoyed. The more magical aspects of the story were enjoyable and I liked Luna and Hunter well enough (despite being super irritated by their stupidity.) I loved the idea of magical fireflies taking away period cramps lol.

But overall, I feel like this is being marketed all wrong. There are some similarities to Romeo & Juliet, yeah, but not nearly enough to hinge so much of your marketing on it.

All in all, I'm a bit let down by this one. I still think people could definitely enjoy it, especially if they're looking for a contemporary romance with a stolen artifact side plot and a hint of mythology.

It wasn't bad, I guess; it just wasn't for me.

[Charlie Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a stereotype that all YA books are focused on romance, but this is the first YA book I've read in ages that really centers romance, and does it utterly beautifully. The relationship between Luna and Hunter feels so real, including tons of cute moments but also lots of awkwardness and the weirdness of trying to figure out sex. It's tender and keenly observed and lovely. I also *adored* the blend of Chinese mythology with Romeo and Juliet, and the subtle way that magic percolates through everything before finally becoming a major thing. The discussions of Taiwanese identity in this book felt all too relevant and important, and I loved that the protagonists were allowed to have very different ideas of what it means to be from Taiwan. Also, the messiness of families and the lies that parents tell is a major theme here, and it's handled delicately — the parents aren't monsters, just severely flawed people. This is such an intimate book, but there is a huge store of magic under the surface.

[gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Arrow to the Moon is an enigma for me. I truly have no idea how to rate this. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good either. There were so many moments I enjoyed, yet I could have stopped reading this without any reservations. Talk about your head scratcher.

To start, this is being marketed all wrong. While advertised as Romeo and Juliet meets Chinese mythology, I didn’t truly feel either aspect. Having two families who hate each other does not mean it’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling – that’s just parents forcing their drama and baggage onto their children. The underlying storyline may have been based on a Chinese story/fairytale, but there weren’t many mythological aspects. Personally, I’d describe this as a contemporary romance story with magical realism and a hint of mystery.

This is very much a character driven story; there’s little to no plot. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m a sucker for a good group of characters. But in this case, the story felt like it was all over the place. There were all these different subplots happening with no distinct correlation to the main story. Plus, I did not care for the adult characters one bit. I don’t care what bad decisions you made or are currently making, stop making your poor kids miserable because you’re unhappy.

The chapters were ridiculously short, which I think was both helpful and a hindrance. It exaggerated the meandering of the plot because the viewpoint was constantly switching – I think there’s eight different perspectives and less than 400 pages. However, I don’t think I would’ve finished if the chapters weren’t that short. They made for a quick, effortless read whether I was invested or not.

And the ending was so rushed and dissatisfying. I wasn’t disappointed in how things ended; the fates of Cody, Hunter, and Luna were quite touching. However, it was wrapped up way to quickly and so many plot points were abruptly dropped and never resolved. All that time spent learning about the backstory of the five adult characters to see no character growth.

Don’t get me wrong, there were things I liked.

Magical realism and I don’t always get along – my logical brain doesn’t relish random, unexplainable happenings – but it was used well here and didn’t utterly confuse me.
I liked both Hunter and Luna; they’re probably the only reason I finished this. I was able to emphasize with their feelings and the romance was cute, minus the “like like” scenes which made me want to gag.

A big portion of this story is Pan’s experience as an Asian-American and while I can’t relate or resonate with any of that, I enjoyed those aspects. I really love Pan’s distinct writing style – it’s truly gorgeous. I credited the short chapters with making this an easy read, but a big part of that is her lyrical prose. I’ll definitely continue to pick up anything she writes.

[belle ☆ﾐ (thisbellereadstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

With An Arrow to the Moon, a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, comes heartaches, forbidden loves, and an age-old hatred between the families. Emily X.R. Pan once again brought me into a world with characters I want a perfect happy ending for. I’ve been wanting a story of Houyi and Chang’e last year, and this is a dream come true.

Weird magical things are happening around Hunter and Luna. Hunter never misses a target with his bow and arrow. His impeccable aim is a mystery in itself. Luna kept seeing little fireflies floating around her, trying to convey some sort of message. Even Cody, Hunter’s brother, owns a book that doesn’t always have a story within it.

Although their parents are constantly on bad terms with one another, Hunter and Luna didn’t care. As time passed, the two started to gain feelings and sneak around knowing that their parents would disapprove vehemently. The two families are always vying for the same tenure, career goals, and mysterious artifact.

While they were falling in love, Hunter and Luna were both dealing with individual struggles when it comes to their parents. Due to his affinity with the wind, what seems like pranks by him got Hunter expelled and his parents blamed everything on him without finding out the truth. Meanwhile, Luna has no idea about the turmoil and dissatisfaction within the family.

In my opinion, Emily X.R. Pan did a fantastic job in recreating the Moon Goddess and the Lord Archer’s legend that I know and love. I’ve been waiting for a new book by Emily X.R. Pan for years after reading The Astonishing Color of After. Feel so blessed it’s my long-awaited Chang’e and Houyi’s retelling.

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to jump into An Arrow to the Moon ever since I received this little gem in my Fairyloot box. Mostly because it's a Romeo and Juliet retelling but I was pretty intrigued for the mythological twist too. It also doesn't hurt that the book is absolutely gorgeous to look at either.

From the very beginning, I was completely hooked and fell instantly in love with Hunter and Luna. The way they just merged towards one another for comfort was magical to me. In a way, it was pure and innocent. Something that needed to be handled with such care but also needed room to grow into something more beautiful than before.

Unfortunately, drama and fate came for these two. I honestly really enjoyed watching Hunter and Luna get closer together. They were completely adorkable throughout the entire book. Seriously, they were. Their chemistry never felt forced to me which was pretty refreshing for a retelling.

Then there's the ending. Yes, it was completely sad but so freaking good. I'm currently sitting in an emotional puddle and trying to pick up the pieces of my broken heart. Still, I'm so happy that I got this wonderful book and dove into it. Completely magical and devoured in one sitting.

[julianna ➹]

another day, another chinese mythology book i need to add to my increasingly large tbr

[Eric Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

More like an arrow to my HEART. *weeps* five stars.

[Alyson Walton · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ This is my first time reading EXRP, and let me tell you, this author can write so beautifully. The words flow so easily, making reading such a descriptive book simple. But, it isn't a Romeo & Juliet retelling. The families described herein do have beef, but not on an R&J level. I loved the mythology and the story in general, but for me, the strength in this book is the beautiful story telling skill this author has.

[bookish.reader.elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow…. I’m shocked I didn’t absolutely love this. I wanted to love this book with ever fiber of my being. After reading Daughter of the Moon Goddess I wanted to fall right back into the Legend of Chang’e but this just wasn’t for me. These are my own personal feelings.

Everything felt so shallow and surface level. The star crossed lovers weren’t sweet or endearing. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. The “drama” felt like it came out of no where and just felt incomplete. I understand where the author was trying to go with the parents dislike but it felt disingenuous. Nothing about the story made me feel like any of was believable. I understand Fantasy can be magical and nonsensical but this wasn’t magic it was tragic. It just felt like one of those stories with both MC’s parents are awful for no reason and make awful decisions which ends up making the whole thing just feel bleak and pointless. By the end I was just frustrated. The writing was fine I didn’t have a problem with the actual writing and I enjoyed the descriptions of food and celebrations but just overall did not enjoy or care for the story.

Overall I didn’t enjoy this but maybe give it a chance if you really love Romeo and Juliet type romances steeped in YA angst.

#mARCupBookClub

[Hsinju Chen · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh gosh the Intense Emotions toward the end had me reeling
i had to read through the final 25% in one go to finally let out the breath i had been holding
EXRP is so big-brained; i love that she combined:
1. R&J
2. the legend of chang’e and houyi (and jade rabbit)
3. the discovery of terracotta soldiers
into one story set in 1991 US??? truly amazing
all the characters are so complex and conflicted; their love for each other is deep and a bit messed up, and i couldn’t help but feel for them all...
coherent review to come

first buddy read with SL!!!

[richa ⋆.˚★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 ✨

[Darcey · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.

4 MYSTICAL STARS

Three Minute Thoughts:
What a stunning book. An Arrow to the Moon was everything I expected, with Emily X.R. Pan’s gorgeous, enchanting, lyrical writing, combined with a splendid twist on the mythological Chinese tale of Houyi and Chang’e, and beautiful Romeo & Juliet vibes sprinkled through. Separate to the fantasy storyline were important messages on family and filial piety, and the depths that people will go to protect their loved ones. Such a bewitching novel!

The Extended, Long, and Very-Probably-Messy Review:
Emily X.R. Pan’s writing is like a poem. It’s lyrical and flows so beautifully, and is occasionally a little confusing, but always manages to capture my heart.

“Once upon a time… There was a girl who lived on the moon as its guardian. She was its heart and its breath.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)

An Arrow to the Moon had a variety of changing POVs and short chapters, which – once you get into the rhythm of Pan’s writing – is so captivating, and caused me to fly through this book in like two sittings. And somehow, despite the consistently changing character POVs, all the characters have such unique and realistic personalities, it’s incredible! I found it so easy to relate to both Hunter and Luna, both with the familial pressure placed upon both, and with the difficulties they faced in just trying to discover themselves and each other.

“But what she feared wasn’t sitting still. It was the possibility that she would spin so far in the wrong direction she’d fall off the map and lose sight of herself.
It was the question of whether she would ever become who she was meant to be.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)

In addition, the stunning Chinese mythology woven into the ever-iconic Romeo & Juliet storyline was so well written, and it really added an enrapturing twist to the book. The ending was both expected and not, and I definitely need to read more books based upon this mythological tale, because it was gorgeous.

I’m so glad I read this, it was stunning! Thank you so much to the author, publisher and TBR & Beyond Tours for the ARC copy provided!

[Era ➴ · Rating 3 out of 5]

CHINESE MYTHOLOGY ROMEO AND JULIET WRITTEN BY THE AUTHOR OF THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF AFTER WHAT THE FUCKKKKKK

[USOM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I don't even have the words necessary to talk about how much I loved An Arrow to the Moon. Pan weaves a gorgeous, lyrical, and masterful story of love, mystery, and fantasy. This Romeo & Juliet retelling is grounded in the ways Luna and Hunter feel misunderstood by their family and the ways they are able to see to the essence of each other. There's this spark, this indescribable feeling connecting their ability to see each other. Their relationship is tender, emotional, and precious.

I was rooting for them before this book even began. And Luna and Hunter as individual characters are compelling. Luna and the ways her family expects her to just do what they expect, in this status quo, was heart rending. But equally emotional is this deep misunderstanding Hunter's parents have of his and his strong relationship he has to his brother. I love them both so much and so together they make my heart complete.

This only strengthens this current of tension and suspense. We see, before Luna and Hunter even realize it, the echoes of secrets their parents are hiding. The picture develops in front of our eyes as the actors enter the stage. The mystery, combined with the short chapter lengths, make it impossible to stop reading. We need to find out what is being hidden from Hunter and Luna. What connects them all in this spiderweb.

full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...