Inspired by the Chinese legend of Chang'e, the moon goddess, Tan's luminous fantasy debut focuses not on the mythical figure imprisoned on the moon for stealing the elixir of immortality, but her daughter, Xingyin. Xingyin lives a peaceful if solitary existence with her mother, who lights the moon's lanterns each night. This sheltered life is shattered when the cruel Celestial Empress visits, setting off a chain reaction that ends with Xingyin fleeing for her life. Through a combination of luck, charity, and her own resilience, she regroups, disguising herself and securing a position in the Celestial Kingdom as Prince Liwei's companion and, after discovering an affinity for archery and magic, as one of their rising warriors. Xingyin's plan is to gain enough renown to win her mother's freedom, but a shocking betrayal forces her to make a twisted bargain with the warmongering Celestial Emperor. Amid lush, poetic descriptions of life in the immortal realm, Xingyin's numerous coming-of-age adventures range from bloody battles with legendary monsters to falling for two wildly different men. This is a refreshing retelling of a classic Chinese folktale.

Set against a background of Chinese mythology, a young woman resolves to save her mother from magical imprisonment.Xingyin is the daughter of Chang'e, the Moon Goddess, imprisoned on the moon for offending the Celestial Emperor. Xingyin's very existence is a secret-as part of her punishment, Chang'e is to have no unsanctioned visitors. When Celestial soldiers almost discover her, Xingyin runs away, promising not to reveal her parentage and determined to reverse her mother's punishment. Alone in the Celestial Kingdom, Xingyin has the remarkable good fortune of becoming Prince Liwei's companion, attending his lessons and learning not only herbology and magic, but also the fighting arts. Xingyin and Liwei grow close, but as Liwei is the son of those responsible for Chang'e's imprisonment, Xingyin must continually hide a part of herself. As Xingyin pursues her goals, others plot against the Celestial Kingdom, and the emperor and empress are not without their own machinations. Packed with magic, dragons, and plenty of scheming, this novel features many expected tropes, freshened up by the well-developed setting and strong basis in Chinese mythology. Xingyin is sometimes frustratingly successful and spends much more time with her male love interests than her female friends, but the plot delivers what it promises in a quite satisfying, though predictable manner. The prose is lovely and fluid, lush descriptions of magic and immortal life buoying the narrative.A standard court fantasy, unique in its expansion on the story of the Mid-Autumn Festival.