Thank you Net Galley for this eARC!

This standalone fantasy was fantastic, fast paced, the characters were incredible, the romance and banter was unbelievable. I also fell in love with the world building and the writing of Sue Lynn Tan, and is now an immediate rebuy author for me.

DNF at 77%

The beginning was interesting and I was really hooked, but it slowly became boring and I felt like there were a lot of unnecessary scenes/strange timing of scenes.

I thought the world building was good and I could see an amazing setting, with costumes, and beasts, but the descriptions sometimes ran a little too long. I was pulled out of the story and the dialogue too much by the many paragraphs of description.

Liyen is rude all the time, even when the MMC is risking his life to save her constantly. She’s very critical, even though she doesn’t have any real skills herself.

There were a few scenes where they would be under threat from an enemy, but instead of jumping into action, they would have a conversation. The characters even have a reunion in the bedroom (closed door) in the enemies home where one of them is a prisoner. Like, come on. I rarely felt the sense of urgency, and the pace never felt fast enough during those “intense” scenes.

The romance felt very forced and unnatural, like they had awkward crushes on each other rather than being in love. It just didn’t feel right.

At 77% the story was just dull and boring. I finally got to the big twist in the plot, but even though I still have 10 chapters to go, I don’t care enough to read the ending.

This book was lacking. At first it was intriguing but the fmc was annoying. She literally was in possession of the stolen item and she acted all self-righteous. I wasn’t a fan of the relationship, but then the book started getting interesting. When she is kidnapped it started getting interesting and I thought the book was turning around. But instead they together and there is still a significant part of the book left and everything worked out neatly in the end,

In Immortal, Sue Lynn Tan weaves a captivating tale of Liyen, the Lady of Tianxia, who confronts immortals and forbidden magic to protect her kingdom. Her journey intertwines with the enigmatic God of War, leading to a slow-burning romance set against a backdrop of political intrigue and magical realms. Tan's lush prose and intricate world-building immerse readers in a rich, mythological fantasy. While some passages may feel densely descriptive, the novel's compelling characters and unexpected plot twists make it a memorable read for fans of romantic fantasy.

I really enjoyed this book. It was my first time reading anything by Sue Lynn Tan, and now I’m even more excited to finally pick up Daughter of the Moon Goddess. Her writing is beautiful and I was hooked right from the start. The world she’s created is so rich and I loved the way mythology is layered into the story. It felt almost cinematic with so many stunning visual moments that I could picture clearly as I read.

There’s a good mix of action and emotional tension in this story. I thought the romance had great buildup, though I found myself wanting a little more from it emotionally. Still, I was invested and rooting for them the whole time.

If I had one small critique, it’s that the pacing felt a little uneven. The beginning pulls you in fast, but the middle slowed down more than I expected. This was a really enjoyable read overall and I’m so glad I picked it up!

Before I start, I have to say this. While I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book, long before that I pre-ordered the gorgeous physical copy. Sue Lynn Tan is one of the few authors who is on my auto "need to read ASAP" list. Every book I read prior to Immortal was so well thought out and immersive. I still think about the characters every once in a while and loved the audiobook editions of each book. The narrator was the perfect fit for the books. While I haven't listened to Immortal on audiobook (yet), I'm sure that will be on my to do list in the future.

If you love gods, goddesses, mythology, and well thought out plots, Immortal is the book for you. The novel follows the story of Liyen, a woman who is tasked with saving her kingdom. The book follows her journey, and adds an element of romance throughout. It's not just a romance novel though, it really delves into Liyen's journey and struggles. The reader learns about Liyen in her own words and thoughts. The book is set in the same world as Daughter of the Moon Goddess, but is a standalone. You don't have to have read the duology before reading this standalone, but it can help with understanding the magic and some of how this fits in the broader world that's already been built in the prior novels.

The God of War is the love interest of the story. I enjoyed the interplay between the two characters, and how their relationship built throughout the novel. I really love how elements of Chinese mythology are pulled into the book. It's definitely the author's own world and imagination, but there are many elements of existing mythology throughout the book. The book is immersive, and I as sucked in throughout the story. The world building alone was enough to draw me in. I'm also a fan of books that emphasize that children should not be judged or held responsible for their parents and their parents' actions.

If you're thinking of picking up a copy for yourself, I know I'm partial to physical books. I'll still obviously read ebooks and audiobooks, but I really recommend if you can get. a copy of this book that you try and find the deluxe edition. The physical book is gorgeous, and I'm loving the trend of sprayed edges. The online pictures do not do it justice, and it's a great addition to any library.

Please be advised I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Having read The Celestial Kingdom series by Sue Lynn Tan, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I was ecstatic to read Immortal. Not only is the cover of this book stunning (just as stunning as her other previous books), but the story within matches it perfectly. Immortal was a beautiful slow burn romance paired very well with fantasy. It was filled with action, battles, and political conflict with everything intricately woven together so the story never fell flat. I liked the slow burn romance and I think Sue Lynn Tan does a really good job in her books of not making the romance the primary focal point. Even though this book is set in the same world as the books from The Celestial Kingdom series, you can read this book as a separate experience and enjoy it without having read the previous books. Overall, this was a fantastic book that I'd recommend to anyone.

I loved the Celestial Kingdom series. But this wasn't nearly as good. I liked it at first, but around 40% though it went downhill for me. The romance was developing too quickly for such a long book and when she was supposed to hate him. I'm still looking forward to reading anything else this author writes though.

Summary:
In Immortal, we follow Liyen, a mortal heir who rises to power after the death of her grandfather. Determined to break her kingdom’s ancient ties to the immortals, she steps into the unknown, only to form a dangerous alliance with the ruthless (and ridiculously magnetic) God of War ⚔️. As secrets unravel and sparks fly ✨, Liyen must risk everything to protect her people, even if it means losing her heart ❤️.

Thoughts:
Why did I wait so long to read this?! This book is outside my usual genre. I don’t read much romantasy but WOW. The writing is lush, poetic, and completely immersive. I felt like I was there in the Immortal Realm, wrapped up in the magic, the mystery, and the tension.

Liyen is a fierce, relatable heroine and the God of War? Let’s just say he made it very hard to put this book down 🔥. The twists and turns kept me glued to the page, and I read this in just over 24 hours, even though it’s a chunky one!

Also… this book is GORGEOUS. If you’re a collector, the physical copy is a must-have. Think sprayed edges, illustrated endpapers, and major shelf appeal.

This story is filled with heart, heat, and high stakes. Sue Lynn Tan has created something truly magical here, and I’m so glad I gave this book a chance 🖤.

This was fine but it didn’t live up to my expectations after loving the Celestial Kingdom duology. It was worth reading but didn’t leave a lasting impression.

3.5/5
A good story with a lot of Asian mythological references. Sometimes the story did seem a little hasty at times and the flashbacks came out of nowhere too.

I DNF this book. I tried so hard to get into it but these characters fall flat and just couldn't get me to connect with them. Toys book has potential but just not fit me.

Another masterpiece by Sue Lynn Tan! I am a huge fan of their previous series, and when I saw that they were releasing a new book, I knew it was going to be immaculate. She is truly a talented writer and is able to craft such beautiful and immersive worlds. The mythology was unique and stunning. The romance was solid, though not as captivating as expected. What really drew me in and kept me there was the world. She does know how create a stunning world and interesting plot lines.

Sue Lynn Tan's Immortal is a standalone romantic fantasy that immerses readers in a world of forbidden magic, political intrigue, and passionate alliances. The story follows Liyen, the heir to Tianxia, who, after surviving an assassination attempt, ascends the throne amid political turmoil. In a bid to protect her kingdom, she ventures into the Immortal Realm, forming an uneasy alliance with the enigmatic God of War. ​

Tan's world-building is rich and immersive, drawing heavily from Chinese mythology to create a vivid and enchanting setting. The complex relationship between Liyen and the God of War adds depth to the narrative, blending elements of enemies-to-lovers tropes with political maneuvering. However, some readers have found the pacing uneven, with certain plot developments feeling rushed or lacking depth. Discussions on platforms like Reddit reflect this sentiment, with readers expressing mixed reactions to the story's execution. ​

Overall, Immortal offers a captivating blend of romance and fantasy, with a richly constructed world and complex characters. While it may not resonate with every reader, those who appreciate mythological retellings and romantic fantasy may find it a worthwhile read.

Sue Lynn Tan is quickly becoming one of my favorite fantasy authors. Everything she writes just leaps off the page like magic. I feel as though I'm lost in some beautiful mountain village listening to ethereal music as I feel the wind in my hair and the buzz of opportunity in the air. It's such an amazing feeling. The characters are likable but also problematic at times but you find yourself unable to look away and drawn deeper and deeper into the story. Alive seems almost not enough to describe this story. I want to be in this world, to taste the food, to smell the smells, to experience it. I finished this book and immediately wanted another. I know wonderful books take time but these stories make me greedy for more.

I really enjoyed this book! It hooked me early on and kept my attention throughout. I liked that it was different than many of the prior fantasy books I have read.

Five stars, officially will read anything by this author! The writing is beautiful, the love story is wonderful. I really enjoyed the way Sue Lynn Tan took the expected broody general/war captain and twisted it. Just everything about this book was great!

Another solid fantasy read from Sue Lynn Tan! I found myself completely engrossed in the story between Liyen and the God of War. When I thought I had things figured out, there would be a plot twist I didn’t see coming. I felt completely transported to these wonderful worlds once again, and the chemistry between the leads was 🔥.

The reason I bumped a star off the rating is because there were quite a few repetitive parts and I felt like I was being told over and over in the first part by Liyen how she shouldn’t trust The God of War just too many times it was distracting. Then later in the book, some plot points repeated as well.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for letting me read this one early!
Immortal takes place in the same world and Daughter of the Moon Goddess, but in a different kingdom and following different characters all based on Chinese Mythology. Just like in her other books, Sue Lynn Tan explores themes of honor, duty, destiny, and love (romantic and familiar) while putting the reader into a fantastical world full of magic and lore.
If you love “touch her and you die” and “who hurt you” tropes, you are going to love following this twisty love story.

An adventurous romance and a whimsical adventure! Liyen is summoned to the immortal realm. Dark forces closing in around them! She decides to risk everything to save her people. She will do whatever it takes, even if it means forging a dangerous bond with the immortal or even losing her heart. Liyen is brave! No one can mess with her. This book was thrilling and fast paced! Sue knows how to write an amazing book. The world build is so good.

I can’t recommend this book enough!

Published: January 7 2025
Rating: ✨✨✨✨

Thank you NetGalley, Sue and Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC!!

#Immortal #NetGalley