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ABOUT THE BOOK
NO SPOILERSXingyin has grown up on the moon in the Pure Light Palace with her mother, Chang'e, the Moon Goddess, and their loyal attendant Ping'er, never understanding the grief that keeps her mother staring down at the mortal world each night. An old mortal book leads her mother to admit that the archer Houyi is Xingyin's father. Years later, when Xingyin reaches for the silver lights of her own magic, the Celestial Empress arrives asking about a strange shift in the moon's energy, and Xingyin learns the truth. Her home is her mother's prison, where the Celestial Emperor exiled Chang'e for taking the Elixir of Immortality, and no one at his court knows Xingyin exists. She must flee before anyone discovers her. Alone in the Celestial Kingdom, she hides who her parents are, works as an attendant in a noble household, and wins a place as the study companion of Crown Prince Liwei. At the Jade Palace she trains in magic and discovers a rare gift for archery, all while holding on to her vow to set her mother free. When she later joins the Celestial Army, friendship, love and the dangers of the royal court make that promise far harder to keep than she ever expected.
Free Battle of the Books questions for Daughter of the Moon Goddess
SPOILERSEvery one of these has the same answer, and that is the point. In a real battle the question is read aloud with a dozen other books in play, and students have a few seconds to place it. Here is what a battle might ask about Daughter of the Moon Goddess. Use them as a quiz, a trivia round, or BOTB practice.
Where in the book they come from
- Early in the book
In what book does a girl reach for forbidden silver flecks of light in her mind?
✓ Answer
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Xingyin's mother begs her to stay away from the silver lights, and for years she keeps her promise. One day she gives in and reaches for them, and that same evening the Celestial Empress arrives asking about a strange shift in the energy of their home.
- First half
In what book do two girls ruin a painting and agree to blame the wind or a bird?
✓ Answer
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
A young woman waiting for Liwei knocks dark green paint across his half-finished peach blossom painting, and Xingyin soaks it by bumping the water pitcher. Xingyin solemnly suggests it might have been the wind, and the stranger quickly adds that it could have been a bird.
- First half
In what book does a bow's string bend like silk for one girl but not for her captain?
✓ Answer
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
In Xiangliu's treasure cave, Xingyin finds the Jade Dragon Bow in a plain wooden box, and a beam of Sky-fire forms when she draws it. Captain Wenzhi cannot bend the string, and when he holds its box, it rattles until he pushes it back to her.
- Second half
In what book does a piece of dark ore wedged in a soldier's armor block his magic?
✓ Answer
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Liwei tells Xingyin that Archer Feimao had trouble using his magic after the battle with Xiangliu, until a piece of dark ore was found stuck in his armor. Traces of the ore turn up at Shadow Peak, and Liwei worries that someone has mined it.
- Second half
In what book does a girl correct a rumor of twenty slain spirits with "Twelve. They fly fast"?
✓ Answer
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Minyi, who loves gossip, asks whether the First Archer really struck down twenty spirits in her last battle. Xingyin's dry correction shows how famous she has become after a year of campaigns beside Wenzhi.
- Near the end
In what book is a girl given a scale and told, "Should you need us, immerse this in liquid"?
✓ Answer
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
The Long Dragon plucks a shining scale, as perfect as a rose petal, from its own body and offers it to Xingyin, speaking mind to mind. Then the four dragons dive back into the sea, leaving her a way to call them whenever she needs them.
