2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

This is where we will discuss the book after we start reading it in April.

Please remember to mark spoilers by using spoiler tags: [spoiler]...[/spoiler], but replace [ by < and ] by >

Lovely writing. It reads very smoothly. I'm not very far in yet but I am enjoying it this far. Only bad mark is that I am slightly disappointed with the cookie cutter feel of the "mean" women. Jiayi, Lady Meiling, and the empress all feel like the same woman (thus far).
It's going to be a casual read. I'm going to enjoy it instead of speed readinf through it like my usual. XD

Through Part 1:
What does everyone think about the relationship aspect in part 1?

(view spoiler)[I liked that it wasn't instalove. It shows bits and pieces of their lives but years pass before they become romantic. I wonder if they will get back together later in the story or if they are not "end game."

I do like that while she is the daughter of the moon goddess, it doesn't feel like I'm reading a fantasy at times. There are fantastical elements of course but it reads more like historical fiction. I will forget that everyone is immortal in the story and us mere mortals exist on a whole other plane. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished part one myself.

(view spoiler)[Yes, I agree. I like that it wasn't insta-love either. It did still pretty fast but I think that's just because of the way it was written. It didn't feel like years have past. I too wonder if anything will become of it. I have a feeling this would end with them being just friends due to him marrying the Phoenix princess. If it actually plays out that way.

I'm a huge fantasy-loving reader, so I love the fantastical elements. That's actually what caught my attention (well, the cover). But I like how it has the feel of non-Americanized fantasy. I have been very interested in Asian lore and culture, and I just love that there are books coming out concerning retellings of their legends and myths and "fairytales."

I'm curious how the author is going to have Xingyin save her mother-if she even does. (hide spoiler)]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[Very different feel from Part 1. I like that we are moving through her time somewhat quickly. Even though it seems like a lot is going on, it is actually happening months or years apart which makes it feel more realistic. I like that her and Liwei still have feelings for each other. There's somewhat of a love triangle but it's not obnoxious.

I LOVE how badass she is with a bow. (hide spoiler)]

I started this last week and finished part one, but then took a break. It felt like a good point to pause so I switched to another book whilst I went away for the weekend.

Thoughts on part one:
(view spoiler)[I like that the romance was a subplot, which is what I prefer in Fantasy books; I need some good world building and action to go alongside it. I hope it stays that way. As to what you said about them being 'end game', SarahKat, I think it likely they will be because that would be more in line with classic Romantasy tropes, but I do like that it is sort of left open at this stage. I'm looking forward to seeing what Xingyin gets up to away from the palace. She's been so sheltered, first isolated with her mother and then her life revolving around Liwei.

I also agree with you Keri. I feel like the overarching plot has to be saving her mother, but we don't yet have much clue how she's going to go about that. (hide spoiler)]

I've now started part two :)

Part two:

(view spoiler)[I agree SarahKat that we're moving through her time very quickly. Personally I have found that made me slightly less invested in the storyline. Occasionally I would sink into a scene but then it was quickly moved on from. I'd like to see more of Xingyin's relationships, especially with women. I feel I know nothing of her friendships, and everything with the two love interests feels fairly surface level.

I am still enjoying it, though. Just not a book that I lose myself in. I think the writing is lovely and am enjoying the setting. (hide spoiler)]

Janine wrote: "Part two:"

I agree! (view spoiler)[She has relationships with women but they are not very well-rounded. It would be nice if we got more of that.

I don't find myself less invested though. I think the relationships are both surface level because they haven't been explored too deeply at this point. I also think that might be a cultural thing. The romance is less fiery and passionate and more reserved and pragmatic. (I hope this comment isn't offensive. Just what I remember from cultural studies in college.) (hide spoiler)]

I finished the book today and agree with some of the other points made here. I would have loved to explored her friendships more, especially with Shuxiao. And I also agree that the timing and pacing of certain spaces was too rushed.

(view spoiler)[But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will dive into Book 2: Heart of the Sun Warrior, starting tomorrow. I am excited to see how the love triangle is resolved in the second book. Who will she end up with? Liwei or Wenzhi?(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]