Blog Tour [Review]: Daughter of the Moon Goddess

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TITLE: Daughter of the Moon Goddess
AUTHOR: Sue Lynn Tan
PUBLISHER: HarperVoyagerUS
RELEASE DATE: January 11th, 2022
GENRES: Fantasy, Mythology, YA Retelling

Thank you TBR and Beyond Tour and Harper Voyager for a review copy and the opportunity to be on this tour!

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis

A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of Chang’e, the Chinese moon goddess, in which 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 accustomed to solitude, unaware that she is being hidden from the feared Celestial Emperor who exiled her mother for stealing his 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 learn 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 across the earth and skies. But 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.Daughter of the Moon Goddess begins an enchanting, romantic duology which weaves ancient Chinese mythology into a sweeping adventure of immortals and magic—where love vies with honor, dreams are fraught with betrayal, and hope emerges triumphant.

Review

So, I have been really getting into Folklore, Mythology and legends retelling recently and Daughter of the Moon Goddess did not disappoint. Daughter of the Moon Goddess in inspired by the legend of Chang’e, the Chinese moon goddess. The story follows the journey of Xingyin, daughter of the immortal Chang’e, who is currently banished and her fight to free her mother and live in peace. Overall, this is a fantasy novel that is packed with beautiful imagery, epic adventure and a heroine we love to root for.

When thinking of Daughter of the Moon Goddess, the setting and background compliments so much to the story. The mystical aspect of it allows the reader to dive into a beautiful world, watching Xingyin travel away from the moon on a cloud. It allowed me to escape into a world that felt like a song. It was lyrical and magical. It’s been a while that I devoured a story so quickly before diving into this story.  Back to the background, I was appreciative of how the author was able to create the kingdoms in a way where the reader could visualize it but still have a sense of mystery to fill in. The story flowed so naturally and well. It never felt like an info dump to me. The author did a fantastic job in creating a celestial adventure, rich in culture and enchanting realms.  

As mazing the setting and plot was, the characters, especially the main character Xingyin were phenomenal. I really loved how much Xingyin valued the value of honor. I also appreciated the relation she had with her mother, the Moon goddess. It added to the different forms of love and relationships a character can experience in a story. When Xingyin trained with the prince, and worked for the royal army, you knew she did it with the upmost value of honoring the promise she made to free her mother.  Xingyin’s relationship with her mother isn’t the only relationship that was executed well. Without much spoilers, there is a love triangle between Xingyin and two men that was *chef’s kiss* so good. To wrap up why I loved Xingyin as a character – Xingyin is loyal, honorable, takes chances, and is not perfect. Having a character that relatable in some sense is important and I tihnk readers reading Xingyin can appreciate how relatable she can feel.

About the Author

Sue Lynn Tan writes fantasy inspired by the myths and legends she fell in love with as a child. Born in Malaysia, she studied in London and France, before settling in Hong Kong with her family.

Her love for stories began with a gift from her father, her first compilation of fairytales from around the world. After devouring every fable she could find in the library, she discovered fantasy books – spending much of her childhood lost in magical worlds. When not writing or reading, she enjoys exploring the hills and reservoirs of Hong Kong, the temples, beaches and narrow winding streets here.

Her debut, Daughter of the Moon Goddess, will be published by Harper Voyager in early 2022, with a sequel to come. It is an enchanting fantasy of love and family, immortals and magic – inspired by the beloved Chinese legend of Chang’e flying to the moon upon taking the elixir of immortality.

Sue Lynn can be reached on Instagram @SuelynnTan, or on her website www.suelynntan.com.

Blog Tour [Review]: Wild and Open Faces

Tour Schedule : https://www.jeanbooknerd.com/2021/01/wild-open-faces-by-jennifer-g-edelson.html

Title: Wild Open Faces
Author: Jennifer G. Edelson
Publisher: Red Apple Books
Publication Date: December 17, 2020

Where to buy: AMAZON 

Rating: 4 stars

Thank you Jean BookNerd and Red Apple Books for an opportunity to be a part of this blog tour.

Synopsis

Surfaces are deceiving . . .

After falling for Ezra and discovering a gateway to the Otherworld, it’s a truism Ruby knows to take to heart. But La Luna finally feels like home, and with graduation just weeks away and a cushy internship on a nearby archeological dig in her pocket, it’s easy to downplay the strange new events taking place in the Glorieta Pass. Even when Angel’s deadbeat father reappears after twenty years, stirring up questions about Angel, the ruin, and Ruby’s mother.

Uncertainty is bad enough, but when Ruby starts having inexplicable visions, and the archeological dig unearths mysterious artifacts connected to both a fabled Aztec city and the Pecos Pueblo, Ruby faces more than an uncertain future — she’s forced to accept the role of True of Heart. Will Ezra and her friends stand by her as she confronts the Otherworld? Love is enigmatic, especially in the heart of New Mexico, but the Otherworld may be the biggest mystery of them all.

Praise for WILD OPEN FACES

“A powerful book which both stands nicely alone and compliments Between Wild and Ruin . . . absolutely enthralling reading.” —Midwest Book Review

Praise for BETWEEN WILD & RUIN

“What could be a corny premise turns into an exhilarating, fun ride in Edelson’s adept hands. Her characters are smartly drawn, and readers will easily identify with Ruby, a strong yet insecure young artist on the verge of adulthood, who is still recovering from her tragic past . . . Fans of Twilight and modern fairy tales will fall in love with Ruby and root for her eventual romance.” —Blue Ink Review (Starred Review)

“Between Wild and Ruin is a stunning story of legends, romance, and destiny with themes of starting over, small towns, beauty, and community . . . Edelson perfectly breathes new life in mythology by honoring the oral tradition of a small community and the ruins that bring to life Ruby’s destiny.” —Manhattan Book Review

“Highly recommended to mature teens through new adult and adult audiences, this is a story that lingers in the mind long after its final revelation.” —Midwest Book Review

“A great addition to young adult urban fantasy.” —Seattle Book Review

“Descriptions of the New Mexico landscape are rich and atmospheric, arousing the senses with references to the scent of smoke and juniper, the predatory roar of mountain lions, and the brilliant dazzle of stars in the desert sky . . . The writing conveys a sense of timelessness, making it easy to believe Ruby’s sense that the land is spirit-haunted and that Leo, the handsome young man she encounters near the ruins, is somehow connected to it all.” —Clarion Forward

“An intriguing historical tale and an over-the-top love-quadrangle romance.” —Kirkus Reviews

“The paranormal aspects of the tale are credible and richly steeped in traditional lore, and the plot is finely crafted . . . Between Wild and Ruin is most highly recommended.” —Reader’s Favorite (5-Star Review)

** First Place Winner — Young Adult Fiction: 2020 Arizona/New Mexico Book Awards
** First Place Winner – Young Adult Fiction: 2020 National Federation Press Women
** Gold Medal Winner (First Place) – Young Adult Mythology/Folklore; 2020 Reader’s Choice International  
** First Place Winner – Young Adult Fiction: 2020 New Mexico Women’s Press

Review

A continuation to Ezra and Ruby’s story, Wild Open Faces blew me away with the writing and left me yearning for the third book. Because Between Wild and Ruin was still fresh on my mind, reading Wild Open Faces felt like I hit the lottery. Wild open faces is a great sequel, and I don’t say that about many sequels. There were so many questions form book one that book two answered and so many new questions that were created. It was well written, had a villain that I tried so hard not to like and a continuing relationship that was strong.

The character development in Ezra and Ruby were equal in quality to the first book, which made their continued development feel both real and satisfying. It’s no secret that I was shipping Ruby and Ezra from the beginning and seeing their relationship grow was great. It was a separate development from their characters, which often gets muddled in a storyline. The author did well in showing that two people can grow together while each growing in their individual skin. Along with Ruby and Ezra, we see more of Racine and Angel. I hope to see more of Angel and Racine in book three and see where their journey goes.

As mentioned before, the writing style was amazing. When I read the first book, I was not expecting a paranormal aspect so beautifully crafted. Wild and Open Faces continued that vivid, magical backdrop, character development and romance. The romance was pure but conflicting all wrapped in one and I loved it! But I also loved how Ruby was finally feeling like e was in the place that she belonged, excited for her awesome archeological project. I was also amazed by her ability to take on such a hard role, to confront the otherworld and protect those she loves.

I could continue to ramble about how much I enjoyed Wild Open Faces by Jennifer Edelson, but I’ll stop hear and tell you to grab copy of her first book Between Wild and Ruin, swoon over it, and then grab a copy of Wild open Faces. Trust me, you’ll be in for a ride.

About the Author

Jennifer G. Edelson is a writer, artist, former attorney, pizza lover, and hard-core Bollywood fan. She has a BFA in Sculpture and a J.D. in law and has taught both creative writing and legal research and writing at several fine institutions, including the University of Minnesota. Originally a California native, she currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico with her husband, kids, and dog, Hubble after surviving twenty-plus years in the Minnesota tundra (but still considers Los Angeles, the Twin Cities, and Santa Fe all home). 

Author Links: FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | WEBSITE | GOODREADS

…and now for a giveaway!

Click the pic to enter the giveaway

—Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

– 1 Winner will receive a $25 Dollar Amazon Gift Card.

Blog Tour [ Review]: Sisters of the Moon

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Author: Alexandra Weis
Publisher: Vesuvian Books
Release Date: September 22nd, 2020
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Fantasy

*Thank you Vesuvian Books and Jean BookNerd Blog tours for providing a review copy and for the opportunity to be on this tour. *

Where to buy: AMAZON 

Rating 4/5 Stars

Synopsis

A monstrous fate will turn a girl into a legend.

On an island in Lake Obersee, where The Sisters of St. Gertrude abide, a destitute Moor named Durra arrives. Sold for taxes, she and her two companions tend to the nuns and their collection of cats. At night, she combs the library for details on the order, the remote island, and the beasts howling outside her window.

But when a prank reveals the sisters’ gruesome secret, Durra is forced to accept a new fate. Bestowed an unearthly power, she must choose between life as a nun or living among the monsters beyond the convent walls.

Her path is about to change the tide in the ultimate war. The war between good and evil.

Praise for SISTERS OF THE MOON

“Alexandrea Weis does an outstanding job of painting succinct, hard-hitting scenes that carry Durra from a new role in a convent to a more active position confronting supernatural forces and long-hidden truths that could change not just her life, but the world. Sisters of the Moon represents a fine example of the use of the novella form at its best. It creates a superior blend of action, mystery, and evolving protagonist dilemmas and growth that will keep readers on their toes and involved up to the story’s epilogue of unexpected lessons in survival and achievement. Highly recommended for those who like their supernatural mystery stories to embrace a sense of character growth where the fine line between good and evil proves more mercurial than most.” —D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“While a horror story on the surface, Sisters of the Moon is more than a simple tale of three young women sold to satisfy the debts of others who uncover a dark secret. It’s more than just a fresh take on the werewolf mythos or another banal story about the age-old battle between good and evil. Stunning in its imagery and richly detailed, Weis’s Sisters of the Moon blends history and religion into a tale of sisterhood and empowerment as delightfully slow-burning as it is sinister, smart, and not at all shy about probing the status quo of the treatment of women who challenge patriarchal systems–and who fight to defend what is right. Sisters of the Moon is the kind of supernatural gothic horror women readers in the genre have been waiting for.” —Seven Jane, The Nerd Daily  

Review

Sisters of the Moon takes us on the journey of Durra, Emily and Leida, three girls sold off to a convent for tax money. Durra and Emily are both slaves, while Leida was sold off due to a sexual act that was deemed unholy. Before I continue the review, I do want to mention some content warnings: there is mention of sex slavery, sexual abuse towards a child/minor and physical abuse. Please use discretion when reading if any of the above is a trigger or area of discomfort for you.

We start the story with Durra, Emily and Leida tied inside a boat awaiting their fate. All fear the possibility of death or a crueler punishment they have faced before. When they arrive to their destination, they realize they are being sold to work in a convent. But nothing is all as it seems and this convent is not like the ones many people know. There is something different, almost supernatural with the land surrounding the convent. But the girls are being treated much better than their previous homes and most of their weariness is blanketed by the hospitality and sense of protection they feel. But after a prank gone wrong, Durra must figure out what her next step will be – stay or risk everything and leave.

I haven’t read a paranormal fantasy in sometime, so this was both refreshing and intriguing. There is some religious presence to it that someone who doesn’t follow religion won’t be too off put by. Yes, there’s a convent, but it is nothing like the ones we have heard about. They have pictures and history of saints no one has heard of. Their convent also houses cats, which is peculiar given the notation that most Christians as Leida pointed out would have called a witch trial just seeing the sight of cats in a convent. In regards to the people in the convent, I admired how the convent was built by the women who have faced similar fates as Durra.

“I have no fear of monsters—I have known many in my life.”

This quote resonated the most because the girls, especially durra have less fear for the supernatural than the man who have put them through tortuous and unspeakable acts of abuse. The supernatural are seen as a walk in the park compared to the men Durra has encountered. Without spoiling much of the supernatural component, let’s just say it’s the howl that sucks me into this story. Speaking of Durra, she is such a brave and empowering character. She continues to show just how powerful she is and how much she did not let her past define her. Emily is full of spunk and sass and really brings levity to Durra’s more serious nature. Leida finishes that compliment by being the newest to this experience. She still has a sense of innocence that have been torn form both Durra and Emily through their lives as slaves. All characters were so well written and really worked well in the larger story. I couldn’t help but invested in all three journeys.

“Men are afraid of what they do not know, but women embrace it.”

A tale full of mystery and dark secrets, Sisters of the moon is an eerie novel that is perfect for the spooky season. It tackles the pain each girl has experienced and uses that pain to grow and embrace the unknown. Alexandra Weis beautifully creates a backdrop full of horror, intrigue and curiosity. This book is a page turner that will keep you on your toes, send shivers down your spine while you yearn for more pages to magically appear.

About The Author

Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author of over twenty-seven novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers Association, Weis writes mystery, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, and romance. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram

And now for a Giveaway!!!

Click on the picture to enter the giveaway!!

1 Winner will receive the SISTERS OF THE MOON Storytellers BOX (Grim Reader Collection). – Ends November 16th, 2020

Giveaway is open to International. | Must be 13+ to Enter

Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e849f7751945/

Inkyard Press 2020 Reads Tour: Night of the Dragon

Title: Night of the Dragon
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 368
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Release Date: March 31st, 2020

Where to Buy: Barnes and Noble |Amazon| IndieBound  |Books-A-Million

*Thank you Inkyard Press for the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour and for the review copy. The thoughts written are my own and have not been influenced by anyone*

Synopsis

All is lost.

To save everyone she loves from imminent death, kitsune shapeshifter Yumeko gave up the final piece of the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers. Now she and her ragtag band of companions must make one desperate final effort to stop the Master of Demons from using the scroll to call the Great Kami Dragon and make the wish that will plunge the empire into chaos.

Shadow clan assassin Kage Tatsumi has regained control of his body and agreed to a true deal with the devil—the demon inside him, Hakaimono. They will share his body and work with Yumeko to stop a madman, and to separate Hakaimono from Tatsumi and the cursed sword that trapped the demon for nearly a millennium.

But even with their combined skills and powers, this unlikely team of heroes knows the forces of evil may be impossible to overcome. And there is another player in the battle for the scroll, a player who has been watching, waiting for the right moment to pull strings that no one even realized existed…until now.

Review

Quick note: This is the third book in the series. I will try to make my review spoiler free for book 3, but may have some spoilers form book 1 & 2.
When you read a good series, you just know it. Julie Kagawa has left my heart and soul shattered in so many good ways with night of the Dragon. But I wasn’t surprised by my reactions, because Julie has been doing a spectacular job since book one. The writing in Night of the Dragon continued to blow my mind. Julie continues the story with vivid descriptions, magical scenes, and heartbreaking moments.

Night of the Dragon, like the two before it, captivated me form the very first chapter. I wanted to know what happened after Yumeko made a sacrifice [not of her life] to save those she loves. Night of the Dragon continues the story where we meet our Yumeko and her crew preparing to stop the Master of Demons from using the scroll and unleashing an evil that will put the entire empire in chaos. Night of the Dragon is a great conclusion of Fox shifting Yumeko and her companion’s epic journey.

In regards to the characters, I really enjoyed seeing Yumeko’s character through each story, especially in this last book. Yumeko began as a naive girl, and developing into a powerful warrior. She learned so much in her journey and used that to grow better and stronger. Julie Kagawa showed this transformation so masterfully. It didn’t feel rushed, or half baked. I truly enjoyed seeing that development happen gradually rather than happen all at once. Yumekop’s character development was also not something she did on her own. Julie also created such great supporting characters that not only added to Yumeko’s development but also developed drastically in their own skin. Overall, character development was on point and you couldn’t help but root for Yumeko and her companions.

The plot was amazing, powerful and full of action. Julie made a page turning adventure with Night of the Dragon. I was fully invested in ending this series form the first chapter. Was it hard to see Yumeko’s journey end? Of course! But the plot was created in a way where the ending felt okay. It was an impossible task Yumeko and her companions were given [prevent a world where their lives would be forever in danger], but by the end you didn’t doubt the story or the characters. You rooted and cried for them. You held onto the ending feel a piece of your heart missing but knowing that the entirely story was phenomenal at every interaction and every scene of action. You yelled in joy when Yumeko was finally able to accept herself fully. Did I get a book hangover? Of course! Even the best written endings can leave your heart torn and feeling like you need a vacation from reading. It was worth it though.

The Shadow of the Fox trilogy is a trilogy you should pick up. Julie Kagawa continues to amaze me with her masterful storytelling. Night of the Dragon has action, romance, friendship and heart-tugging moments all wrapped into a beautiful story. I highly recommend it!

About the Author

Julie Kagawa, the New York Times bestselling author of the Iron Fey, Blood of Eden, Talon, and Shadow of the Fox series was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn’t getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel.

When not swimming for her life, Julie immersed herself in books, often to the chagrin of her school teachers, who would find she hid novels behind her Math textbooks during class. Her love of reading led her to pen some very dark and gruesome stories, complete with colored illustrations, to shock her hapless teachers. The gory tales faded with time, but the passion for writing remained, long after she graduated and was supposed to get a real job.

To pay the rent, Julie worked in different bookstores over the years, but discovered the managers frowned upon her reading the books she was supposed to be shelving. So she turned to her other passion: training animals. She worked as a professional dogtrainer for several years, dodging Chihuahua bites and overly enthusiastic Labradors, until her first book sold and she stopped training to write full time.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads