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Iris

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Iris is currently reading

Heart of the Sun Warrior (The Celestial Kingdom Duology, #2)

by Sue Lynn Tan (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in November 2023

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Iris said: " “This pain you feel . . . you might believe that you will never recover. And while it might always hurt, the pain will fade a little more each time—until one day, there will be no more tears. Just the memories and the hope, that you might find some j “This pain you feel . . . you might believe that you will never recover. And while it might always hurt, the pain will fade a little more each time—until one day, there will be no more tears. Just the memories and the hope, that you might find some joy in them again.”

This book is everything I could have wished for, after "Daughter of the Moon Goddess", but I am completely surprised at how much I love it. There was not a single doubt in my mind when it came to Sue Lynn Tan's talent and storytelling, but considering the way the first book ended, I was not expecting the sequel to bury itself so deep into my heart. I am in awe at the experience of reading Xingyin's story, I truly am.

"Heart of the Sun Warrior" is a heavy, emotional and raw story. There is great peril and even greater loss (once again, surprised at how much I cried while reading this) and true grief. Although heavy, the depiction of grief by the author is one of my favorite parts of the narrative. It is real and complex, it is ugly and painful, but it is also a part of the cycle of being alive, something Xingyin has to learn in order to heal. I loved every part of her in this story, but her journey to heal, most of all.

This story is also a lot more than Xingyin picking between two boys. Never in my life have I read a love triangle that made so much sense and that moved me so. She is acutely aware of both Liwei and Wenzhi, even when she doesn't want to be. She has space in her heart for both, but in different ways, which she comes to realize. Seeing her mature her own feelings was very special. Of course, Liwei and Wenzhi go through their own changes and development too. Both were amazing in their singular and unique ways, according to their own motivations, and I felt so happy whenever they would cooperate (in my mind, one day, they will be friends!). The love between these three, be it romantic, or a friendship, or a cooperation that comes due to the love for one person... it was beautiful to read.

Although surprising, I love the fact that Xingyin got her father back too. He was an amazing addition to the story, a steady force throughout the narrative and his connection to the dragons and the Jade Dragon Bow were very interesting to read. I am so happy that Hoyui and Chang'e have been reunited!

Thinking back on it, I think one of the main reasons why I loved this sequel so much is that it is heavy on personal development for all characters. There is, of course, a lot of action: kingdoms to save, magic to test and put to use, armies to face, soldiers revived and, of course, dragons. Myth, folklore and fantasy are elements present as they were in the first book, but with an added layer of complexity that comes from the characters: their relationships, their changed feelings, their sense of responsibility, their strength and courage, that was renovated in the face of a new enemy.

I am so glad that an extra book, with short stories, has been announced, because I am not ready to let of go this universe yet.

P.S. The fact that by the end, Xingyin finally accepted she can wish for good things for herself too, without thinking of others first... and that she went to Wenzhi... and that Liwei is the one to give her this opportunity... These three, I will never recover 🥲
Please let Liwei also find happiness ❤️‍🩹 ...more "

Nov 22, 2023 01:19PM · see review

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“He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
― Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights

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“If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger.”
― Emily Jane Brontë , Wuthering Heights

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