SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
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Daughter of the Moon Goddess
Group Reads Discussions 2022
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"Daughter of the Moon Goddess" Discuss Everything *Spoilers*
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1. What do you think of the world?I loved it - the amount of details incorporated relating to the monsters/fauna of the world was one of my favorite aspects of the work. Absolutely loved the details included about the different kingdoms, especially the water one! I did feel that the worldbuilding was a bit lacking in the beginning, which made it difficult to get situated (e.g., wasn't much explanation of Celestial Kingdom vs. other kingdoms vs. mortals).
2. What do you think of the characters?
Their backgrounds, motivations, and personalities were all well written. And I loved the development of the friendships/relationships. I did notice that it was difficult to make an emotional connection to the characters, which made them come across as a little bland. I think this was due to the writing style, though I'm interested to see what everyone else thought about this.
3. What worked or didn't for you?
The plot was fantastic - I enjoyed that it felt like a DnD adventure, where you have to go on several different side quests to achieve your final goal.
4. Overall thoughts?
Fantastic debut novel that had amazing worldbuilding and a strong female protagonist. Can't wait to read the next in the series!
1. What do you think of the world?The world was absolutely gorgeous. I liked the author's attention to detail and the descriptions of landscapes, settings, garments. I enjoy mythology very much, and it was nice to have a chance to dive into Chinese myths. Also, dragons!
2. What do you think of the characters?
At first I found Xingyin flat, immature, and self-absorbed. I thought that her inner voice throughout the book was childish and shallow. However, as the book progressed the characters grew on me. I liked Xingyin's development, despite having trouble with her inner monologues. The dialogues, banter, and relationships between Xingyin, Liwei and Wenzhi were very enjoyable to follow.
3. What worked or didn't for you?
The plot and the pacing in the second half made the book come together for me.
There was a lot of predictable stuff, especially in the love triangle, Xingyin winning the right to ask any favor of the emperor, being tricked by the emperor etc. It was perfectly all right, because of the worldbuilding.
I tend to be allergic to melodrama, and there was A LOT of it in this book, but the theatrics fit the setting and the atmosphere so well that I ended up appreciating them.
4. Overall thoughts?
To quote my review: "I’d love to see this made into a series – garments swirling, hair flying, trees blossoming, eyes blazing, swords flashing, people sinking to the ground in despair at least three times per episode. Are you writing this down, Netflix?"
And I am glad that the sequel will be out soon!
1. What do you think of the world?Worldbuilding is pretty standard xianxia too with different empires and various types of immortals. This is basically Ashes of Love (xianxia drama in Netflix) with some changes ;p It also has a hidden daughter of an important immortal, evil queen from Phoenix Empire, an Emperor who seduced a Flower Immortal, a male lead that went to the dark side, etc etc. If you want to have visuals, maybe can try watch the drama (beware, it has 63 episodes).
There are many xianxia (drama) tropes also used here (love triangle, weird romance, insta love, MC being the object of affection of two male leads, predictable events, etc, people pining over other people, etc etc)
I did like the sea immortals (because of well, sea) and the dragons, which is the reason I am still interested with the sequel.
2. What do you think of the characters?
They're pretty standard xianxia - none of which make me root for them. I think the MC still has a lot of room to grow. The male ones bored me.
3. What worked or didn't for you?
Worked: Dragons. Visuals. I kind of already pictured them (if they were in a drama) in my head, vibrant colors and all. Gorgeous costumes (like in this upcoming drama: https://twitter.com/A_In_Dramaland/st...) . Interesting use of CGI.
Didn't work: standard overused plot and characters. I expected more from a non-drama scriptwriter.
4. Overall thoughts?
I almost gave it two stars - the writing did not make the tropey plot and characters very interesting but the ending kinda saved it. I still want to know what happened and especially want to meet the dragons again.
There is a recent xianxia drama that people raved about so maybe also worth to check out (I might): https://www.netflix.com/watch/8162285...
Any idea what Tan is talking about (p. 57) "...the eight brushstrokes from which all characters are formed"? First, I'm not getting a stroke count of eight (the ideogram referenced is the 4-stroke kanji for water). Am I missing something?
David wrote: "Any idea what Tan is talking about (p. 57) "...the eight brushstrokes from which all characters are formed"? First, I'm not getting a stroke count of eight (the ideogram referenced is the 4-stroke ..."There are eight different kinds of brush strokes in Chinese calligraphy, whose combinations form all possible characters.
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/E...
David wrote: "Any idea what Tan is talking about (p. 57) "...the eight brushstrokes from which all characters are formed"? First, I'm not getting a stroke count of eight (the ideogram referenced is the 4-stroke ..."Maybe it was referring to 永久 (yongjiu) - total 8 strokes. The first character is not 水 （shui）, as there is an extra stroke there.
Thanks, both those comments make sense. My only exposure to kanji is its use in Japanese.
Yep kanji is the Japanese term for hanzi, I usually use the later when discussing Chinese (Han) characters.
1. What do you think of the world?I really enjoyed visiting the different realms. I loved the imagery and imagination.
2. What do you think of the characters?
Loved all the strong female characters and friendships. I loved how the dragons represented peace, I don't feel like I have seen that before.
3. What worked or didn't for you?
I totally didn't see the switch of Wenzji's character coming so although he ended up being a bad guy it made the story more interesting. I wished Xingyin's father had not died, that would have been a nice relationship to explore.
4. Overall thoughts?
Overall I liked it but there were times if felt a little long, but an overall easy, fun read.
I've been looking forward to this one. I enjoyed the world and loved the basis in Chinese mythology. I absolutely loathe love triangles but this wasn't the worst one ever. I thought there must be something up with Wenzhi but I was not expecting the reveal.
In some parts I felt the writing was a bit awkward (especially the romance parts - some of those descriptions made me cringe, and I usually enjoy romance in fantasy).
At the same time, this was a quick read for me and I found Xingyin's motivation compelling.
Stephanie wrote: "I absolutely loathe love triangles but this wasn't the worst one ever. I thought there must be..."I very much agree with you on that point! I detest them and yet, I did not find it so horrible in this world. I think for me it was mostly the novelty of Chinese myths that successfully distracted me. I also really liked the prose, but then I listened to the audio and the narrator did a great job.
Ann wrote: "I wished Xingyin's father had not died, that would have been a nice relationship to explore."I felt the same.
Some of the things mentioned in this thread come into play in the sequel of this duology.
Anna wrote: "Some of the things mentioned in this thread come into play in the sequel of this duology."Ah, you've finished the sequel? I was about to ask whether someone already did. How was it?
It's clearly a duology, so if you liked the first one, you'll probably like the second. Same if you didn't like it :D
Anna wrote: "It's clearly a duology, so if you liked the first one, you'll probably like the second. Same if you didn't like it :D"ah ok, I'll just wait for a discount then ;p
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I loved Xingyin just speaking her mind, paraphrasing...I love you but you just got married so plan B it is.
I never had a chance to write anything about this one when I finished it. I loved it and am almost done with the second in the duology. Would love to have a thread about the sequel book to hear other people's thoughts!
Jenni, you could ask in the buddy read thread to see if anyone else is interested in reading it, or has read it!https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
1. What do you think of the world?Loved it! My first experience with Chinese mythology.
2. What do you think of the characters?
I loved X, the Crown Prince to a lesser extent. I loved how X took control of her life and made sure she took responsibility too.
3. What worked or didn't for you?
I felt Liwei could have been a stronger character. Wanted to see X and her girlfriends together more.
4. Overall thoughts?
I loved it! Have already checked book #2 out. Also, it was quite a pageturner. I could read 100 pages in one sitting!
1. What do you think of the world?
2. What do you think of the characters?
3. What worked or didn't for you?
4. Overall thoughts?
Non-spoiler thread here: First impressions