She reluctantly joins the rescue mission at Liwei’s request. However, upon returning to the Celestial Kingdom, she finds out that Liwei’s betrothed has been kidnapped. She agrees, hoping for a new chance at love. They then journey to the Eastern Sea Kingdom to put down a merfolk uprising there, Xingyin encounters a forbidden Talent-Mind Talent-for the first time.ĭuring their travels, Xingyin and Wenzhi grow closer, and he asks her to go home with him when he resigns from the military. They battle a nine-headed serpent, during which Xingyin discovers the Jade Dragon Bow.

Xingyin often joins Wenzhi on missions, as he is assigned dangerous tasks that are more likely to earn her the talisman. Heartbroken, Xingyin decides to enlist, but she requests the flexibility to choose her own missions, bypassing the typical military hierarchy. She is comforted by her new acquaintance, the dashing army captain Wenzhi. At Liwei’s birthday banquet, the Celestial Empress announces Liwei’s betrothal to a neighboring princess, devastating Xingyin. Xingyin is torn between remaining with Liwei or joining the army in the hopes of earning the Crimson Lion Talisman, which she thinks she could use to free Chang’e from imprisonment. Their youthful paradise is shattered when Liwei comes of age.

Xingyin also discovers a proficiency for archery, music, and magic, known as “Talents.” They begin as fast friends and eventually become lovers. She becomes his companion, studying and training with him at the Jade Palace. She meets Liwei, the Celestial Crown Prince, who enables her escape from her poor living conditions. There, she becomes a mistreated servant in a noble household. For Xingyin’s safety, Chang’e sends her away from the moon, but Xingyin is waylaid during her journey and ends up in the Celestial Kingdom. Xingyin grows up sheltered and happy on the moon, but accidentally draws the attention and ire of the Celestial Empress, who comes to investigate. Xingyin is the secret daughter of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess who is imprisoned on the moon. Important symbols include the moon, music, and certain accessories. It explores the novel’s themes of familial duty, romantic love, freedom, and honor, loyalty, and honesty and their influence on interpersonal relationships. This guide references the HarperCollins first edition of the book, published in 2022.

Daughter of the moon goddess duology