Sue Lynn Tan’s Immortal will give you an emotional rollercoaster ride. Ethereal, whimsical, angsty, heartbreaking, and the plot twists will have you screaming consistently. Tan’s writing is still as beautiful as ever. The world is so vivid and full of life, making it feel as though you should not be allowed in the Immortal Realm upon entering either. I could never be tired of the world of The Celestial Kingdom and I’m so happy to be back.

Liyen — She was strong, smart, empathetic, and always stayed true to herself throughout the entire novel. She was rash and imperfect, and I loved her admiration for her Grandfather and her family. All the choices she made were within reason and I didn’t find myself being annoyed of her. Well, maybe a little bit but it wasn’t to the point where I wanted to throw my ebook across the room.

Zhangwei — Oh Zhangwei, you have stolen my heart. Your flirtatiousness and very being are just /chef’s kiss. I loved the duality of his character, The God of War whom we’re introduced as a cruel, cold, and relentless man but also his loneliness, loyalty, and devotion to his one and only. I loved his "touch her or die” behavior and the very obvious jealousy he displayed through many points. The tension between these two? Lord.

Minor characters stood out — My heart goes to Zhangwei’s handmaidens who provided much of the comedic aspects and broke up the intense “will-they-won’t-they” situations. Bless you all.

I wished there was an epilogue. Like Tan, please if you plan on giving us bonus content, give me more of Zhangwei’s POV. Please. I have a desperate need for this.

The writing, the world, and the exchanges between our characters that had me in multiple mood swings? 5/5. Although the pacing was slightly uneven, there were enough positives for me to overlook it and keep it at its rating. No memorable quotes for me to share because there were way too many good moments for me to choose from. This will be something you'll have to decide on sharing when you pick this up as your read. I cannot wait to get my hands on the physical copies so I can annotate. I truly hope you all pick this up upon release!

Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager US & NetGalley for an e-ARC.

gorgeous, lush, and enchanting romantasy with an awesome, headstrong, and brave protag and an aloof but caring male protag. 5 stars. tysm for thea rc.

I LOVE THE WORK OF SUE LYNN TAN (@suelynntan)!!

I couldn’t put Immortal down. I loved every single page of this. I loved the love, I loved the pain. I once again felt immersed in this world that I have missed so much.

Immortal releases on January 7, 2025. I encourage you to pick this u, and of course check out all of the other books that take place in this chaotic world.

A special thanks to @netgalley and @harpercollins for the advanced copy of this book!

Review: 5 star

Given that I enjoyed reading Sue-Lynn’s previous books, it is no surprise that her adult fantasy standalone is on my anticipated release.

I adore this book. Let me tell you why! Firstly, unlike most fantasy books, it is a standalone, and it speaks to the author’s skill in writing a fantasy book in a standalone, given that the world-building can be immersive and take up almost 50% of the plot. A plus is that I have been horrible at committing to any book series lately. Secondly, the author’s writing has matured through the character development and plot.

The first 15% of the book sets the stage for both Liyen and the God of War to meet and provides a little bit of Liyen’s background as told in her POV. I find Liyen to be a complex character, given her flaws. She is very much mortal and frail at times but so stubborn, brash and reckless. She is also very much for sticking to her beliefs no matter how hard it gets, fighting for what is right and fair and her love for her people, especially when she faces discrimination on her mortality.

The way she met the God of War denotes her reckless moment, and the prejudice she felt against him makes her wary of trusting him, but she can’t help but be interested in him since something is tugging her towards him. Their interactions denote that there is more to the relationship than meets the eye. The God of War is mysterious and broody, but interestingly enough, he treats Liyen well. Their banter moments can be funny, tense, sweet, angsty and romantic throughout the story, and they are irresistibly drawn to one another.

The world-building of the book is solid. This book is also set in the same world as Daughter of the Moon Goddess with a new assembly of characters, so the Xianxia elements were very present. The pacing of the plot is fascinating and moves relatively quickly. I find it less filler-y compared to her previous books, which I was heavily invested in reading because I NEED to know what happens! The twists the author threw into the book were sometimes unexpected, leading to an exciting read! I had moments where I swear I was SCREAMING at the book!

At the heart of it, Immortal is a book about self-acceptance, choices, and multiple facets of a story on every side. An enjoyable read for those who love Xianxia elements and C-drama vibes in the book. I’m also all for supporting a Malaysian writer.

Quotes:
|“Grief was awkward and frightening; some thought it was unwelcome to speak of the dead to those who loved them. But when I lost my grandfather, I didn’t want to stop talking about him. For those we loved, the greatest disservice was to forget them.”

|“Life is often a chain of small events with large consequences,”

|“Love is the greatest freedom in the world, but you have to be capable of yielding it, to grasp its true meaning.”

Big thank you to Netgalley and HarperVoyager for the eARC edition!

“𝐖𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞.” | 4 ⭐️

read this if…

📺 you’re obsessed with classic historical c-dramas
🗡️ you have a weakness for swoon worthy male leads
🍿 looking for a story that will keep you on your toes


Liyen is my favorite kind of mc! One that moves the story with her actions vs having the plot move her. I was so excited to see what stunt she would pull next. She’s not bound to fate or destiny. With a large heart that’s always compelled to do the right thing. It’s fun to see her win.

romantic chemistry between her and her Lord are apparent from the first moment they interact. (i yelled “KISS NOW” at my iPad at least 3 different times)

every single time i thought i knew where the plot was going BOOM Tan surprises me.

for their first adult book Tan has made a perfect transition into narratives that seem relatable but have more depth. that being said that were moments in the 3rd act that took me out of the story. the tension we’d been building sort took me out of the story. (it gave soap opera a bit)

it got brought back around in the end though. the central themes of forgiveness and coping with grief touched me deeper than i expected.

𝐭𝐥;𝐝𝐫 | a brilliant roller coaster that will stick with you even after the pages turn. you won’t regret this read

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

3.5/5 stars

I have loved everything I've read for Sue Lynn Tan, so it hurts me to say that this wasn't exactly a let down....but it definitely didn't hit my expectations. It wasn't bad, but it starts super slow and while some of the insta-love and such is explained later....it was a major turn off for me through the first 40% or so of the book.

Once some of the background started getting explained it felt a lot more like her previous books and I was far more engaged - but getting there was a slog and it was only the good quality writing (in general) and my love of her previous books that kept me from DNFing.

I do still recommend this book and everything in this world...but know this one starts much slower and if insta-love isn't your thing, the beginning may be a turnoff.

4.5 rounded up

If you liked daughter of the moon goddess, I feel pretty confident you’ll like immortal. Sue Lynn Tan brings us back into her world, with continued conflicts between mortals and gods. this book, as a standalone rather than a duology, gives us a more straightforward romance, though it is not without its twists and turns. the romance built slowly- initial resistance from our MC developed over time into something more, and never without her considering the rest of her duties and goals. and our male lead is broody but honorable, with a strong moral core that made me like him despite being the god of war. I really did buy that they cared for each other and their story ended up feeling very romantic by the end.

the politics in this book are compelling and nuanced. I like that we aren’t given a clear picture of the right strategy, much less an obvious good and bad side. there’s a ton of political maneuvering, and we figure out what is going on (and has happened in the past) alongside our MC. there are some twists and reveals- enough to keep things surprising and interesting- but they felt well motivated. SLT manages to keep the intrigue and momentum across all three acts, despite the length and worldbuilding.

overall, highly recommend this book! I think if DotMG worked for you, this should as well, but even if you weren’t that compelled, this one may be better because the plot is more straightforward and grounded.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

“Dawn would be dark without you.” He smiled. “You make life more interesting.”

A beautiful story of love, strength and creating your own fate.

The world building I so desperately wanted in the beginning didn’t happen until 75% into the book. While I don’t think it was important for the overall enjoyment of the book. It did make for a slow start understanding the dynamics of the worlds.

It did pick up pretty quick though and I was along for the ride. Loved the storyline connecting the 2 MC’s. There is a lot to their story and it’s beautifully written.
I was on an emotional roller coaster and could not put this book down.

What the beginning lacked the end provided 10 fold. The heavy world building towards the end did make it a bit of a struggle to follow. I’m not sure I understand everything the author was trying to convey.

Overall, I would recommend this book and am anxious to read other books by this author.

Wow, this book had me entranced from the start and was so beautifully written. I LOVED the MMC Zhangwei and Liyen our FMC is feisty and strong willed. This book is extremely fast paced and PACKED with action, I swear it’s non stop. The romance was so good, slow burn, filled with tension, enemies ish to lovers. I didn’t guess the twist either, so as the story unfolds I was even more enraptured! This is definitely one of my top reads of the year and everyone needs to read it.

I loved this story! Sue Lynn Tan has cemented her position as an auto-buy author in my book. While Immortal is set in the same world as Daughter of the Moon Goddess it is in a different kingdom, with a whole new cast of characters and an entirely different vibe. I found Immortal to have a more serious tone than Tan’s previous work with a great amount of depth. There were so many wonderful nuggets of wisdom and plenty of great quotes to highlight for later. I loved the twists and turns and the beautifully layered slow burn enemies to lovers romance between Liyen and the God of War. I loved Immortal and look forward to the next adventure Tan brings us!

Full Review of Immortal is available on SFFInsiders.com

Set in the beautiful Immortal world of the author's previous books, we are introduced to a new tale with new characters . An earthly kingdom in servitude to an Immortal Queen where the grandfather defies the Immortal Queen and give the give of the immortal lotus plant to cure his cursed and dying granddaughter to cure and save her instead of delivering it to the Queen as ordered. This sets in motion a young girl who must take over the earthly kingdom when her grandfather dies and do her best to protect and save her kingdom. There are dazzling fights with magical creatures and tensions building between Immortals and mortals, with kidnappings, seeming betrayals and magical occurrences. It is a fabulous labyrinth of twist and turns that will leave the reader enchanted and perplexed. This is a wonderful and magical read and will be enjoyed by any who enjoy oriental folklore and fantasy.
I reviewed the-book so was unable to comment on the Deluxe Limited Edition Hardcover. I look forward to seeing it and reading more from this author.

Immortal is such a good book! I loved every second of it!! I had a day off so luckily I could sit and finish it off! The twists and turns were fun, and they made a lot of sense. Everyone's pain was believeable!! I enjoyed the culture and the different worlds that are featured here.

As much as I try not to, there are some books I can’t help but enter with expectations set absurdly high. The higher set, the more eager my anticipation. I just can’t help it! And yes, sometimes those expectations may come crushing down upon the turn of the first page— but sometimes, sometimes they stay epically in flight. Soaring the heights desired. And this one's absolutely the latter.

I had the best time reading Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan. It's whimsical, dreamy, swoony; as well as emotional, angsty, and skin-prickling. I didn’t see some of those twists coming! I gasped, and screamed, and cried, and cheered. This book is one of those rollercoaster of emotions-- and you never want it to end.

Sue Lynn Tan’s prose continues to read like poetry. But it’s more than just pretty words— it’s beautiful sentiment. Oh my goodness, the amount of lines I highlighted! The poetry of her narration and dialogue is truly top notch in this book. It allows easy immersion into the intricate world, it’s like Dorothy entering Oz for the first time: technicolor everywhere! This book came alive.

The world-building is so beautifully constructed and vivid in the mind’s imagination.
The plot is very well paced, and throws in plot twists that will have you gripping the edge of your seat! Some threw me for a loop, and some I foresaw correctly to my endlessly excitement. It’s truly a thrilling read, but also a nerve-wracking one! The stakes are high and they feel it too— with every turn of the page I worried more and more of the fates of all my favorite characters. I held my breath at times reading through the story. All of this allowed me to genuinely engage in this story and continue to feel that full immersion. I cared deeply for these characters.

Liyen is a refreshing protagonist, she is a fallible character, but readily learns. She is soft yet sharp, brash yet resolved, she is a character with evolution. I admired her, I was inspired by her, and I felt proud of her.
She’s prone to mistakes and to stubbornness. In Part I of the book, I wanted her to become more trusting and less judgmental at a faster rate, yet she’s resistant for so long. It admittedly frustrated me, but the narration does something I thought was quite clever in which we’d see Liyen herself regret certain words and actions she’d dealt. And question her own resistance. The reasoning why she ultimately settled to keep her heart close and her mind on guard is absolutely understanding, and that grounded me back to her, rather than rushing to get ahead. Any frustration became fleeting because, yes I’d want her to do this or not say that, but I absolutely understood the why. She is a very vulnerable character, which is always my favorite type. A heroine not made of steel but made of feelings, of softness and of sharpness, of mistakes and of rightness. She is ever flowing and ever growing.

Speaking of which…

At a certain point in her arc, Liyen comes face to face with a pivotal decision, with a need to make a choice, that is a familiar device used in narratives that feature a specific trope too spoilery to mention. This decision is one I initially feared. I don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll leave it as vague as possible. But in these types of scenarios, I feel a character’s essence, as we come to know it, drastically changes. I was so concerned on how it would turn out— I expected what I’m used to seeing in these kinds of scenarios. Instead, Sue Lynn Tan said not so fast. Liyen’s heart, as we know it, remains steadfast, from beginning to ending. I can’t express how much that means to me. That when faced a forked path, she stays true to herself. I can’t elaborate more without delving into spoilers, so instead let me celebrate Liyen for who she is. For growing over the course of her journey, for learning from her mistakes, for becoming more open-minded— and for never compromising who she is to achieve that evolution.

Then there’s the romance…

Zhangwei is alluring, mysterious, dynamic, and a charmingly enigmatic character.
He’s initially a very quiet character, yet somehow he never feels out of reach or underdeveloped. He’s present and that presence is essential to the plot. When he’s on page, all eyes are on him. I wanted to get to know him and slowly but surely did. Every reveal of his character only increased his magnetism. Without a POV, he is still very much a well developed co-lead. Every page he’s not featured, he’s missed, and that speaks volume for just how appealing his character is.

All of this is the makings of a very competent, well-balanced, and sizzling partner in chemistry to Liyen. He’s her equal even when the balance should be offset: they always seem so perfectly match regardless of perceived differences. Whether it’s an exchange of biting words or charged looks or heart to hearts. They fit in a way they may not want (or do they?) but so undeniably do. Their relationship is not one made without strife, in fact angst features regularly. Their relationship has beautiful chemistry, and plenty of hurdles. Hurdles they will need to face together, hurdles set on an entirely uphill battle. But every step forward is a step earned, a step well fought for, and a step that builds towards a gorgeously worthwhile romance. This is a romance that builds not just on physical attraction, but soul attraction, on emotional, intelligence attraction. It's layered stupendously throughout its development.

I can’t express the number of times I was itching to sneak a peek at the ending, I needed a happily ever after so badly and was scared at the what if there’s not?. I can’t tell you if there is one, but I can say I am so glad I didn’t spoil the ending and that I allowed myself to feel every single emotion that rushed at me as I took this journey truthfully. As I discovered every plot twist, every character evolution, every step in romance taken forward. It made for an incredibly memorable experience.

I do wish there had been an epilogue, I am now desperate for bonus content that gives us an epilogue. I am the type of reader that loves to know know what the future will hold for the characters. Nevertheless, the ending leaves me satisfied (but I will always welcome any additional content, haha!).

I consider this book a masterpiece. I have been so very eagerly anticipating its release and reading this has only increased that anticipation. I now know the wonders within the book and I am so excited to have the physical copy in my hands to feel it in a whole new way. Until then, I carry this one in my heart.

If you love fantastical settings that are intricate yet easily accessible, if you love romances that bring both the angst and triumphs, and if you love protagonists that stay true to themselves to the very end, be sure to check out Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for this complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

I wish there was more foundation to the plot. We're given very little to work with once we've found out the truth. And then in the end it also feels like we're not given enough, especially in terms of character relationships. I also wish for a more convincing romance between her and the god of war... idk, this lowkey reads like it should be a Chinese webnovel...

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the eArc!

🌸✨ Why You NEED to Read Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan ✨🌸

Looking for your next unforgettable read? 📖✨ Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan is an absolute must for fans of mythological fantasy, rich storytelling, and deeply emotional journeys. 💫

This book immerses you in a breathtaking world 🌌 where gods and mortals collide, filled with lush imagery and stunning detail that will sweep you away from the very first page. ✒️📜 Tan’s writing feels like poetry in motion, bringing her intricate world to life and making every moment feel vivid and alive. 🌟

But what truly sets Immortal apart are the characters. 💔 Each one is crafted with incredible depth, facing struggles and choices that will stay with you long after you’ve finished. 🌠 Themes of love, sacrifice, and destiny are woven into the story, creating a tale that’s as thought-provoking as it is heart-wrenching. 💕

If you loved Sue Lynn Tan’s previous works or simply enjoy a beautifully written fantasy steeped in mythology, Immortal is calling your name. 🔮✨ Don’t miss this mesmerizing journey—it’s the kind of book that will leave you breathless and yearning for more. 🌸📚

📖 Preorder now or add it to your TBR—you won’t regret it! 🛒📚

@HarperVoyagerUS @SueLynnTan

Thank you NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

If you love Sue Lynn Tan's Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Immortal is very likely right up your alley. The vibes, writing style, and level of depth of romantic development are similar that fans will find themselves right at home in her latest novel.

This however didn't quite hit for me. The overall plot did not grip me at the very least the way DOTMG did. Given how this is a romantic fantasy, if the romance doesn't work for you, you won't be having an enjoyable time. Despite my boredom at times, it's an easy book to breeze through.

Love and fate intertwine in a romantic return to the world of the Celestial Kingdom. The author’s style works well for the introspective, character-focused narrative, which gives lots of space for Liyen’s thoughts and dilemmas and avoids the quest-forward nature of her last novels. There’s bad first impressions, intimidating auras, meddling monsters, he protec-he attac-he a snac, magical artifacts and places - all in all a successful romance. Sometimes, the pacing or a detail took me out of the story, but in the end I read it all in two days straight and I think that says something.

Look forward to:
- An assertive heroine
- Twisty plot twists
- “You can go anywhere, except the one forbidden room”
- Flowery language

But don’t expect:
- Spice
- Enemies to lovers, in the traditional sense
- 100% intelligent decisions (I seriously question Liyen’s sense of self-preservation)

This book is entirely standalone from the CK duology. I don’t think I would’ve even remembered they were in the same world, if not for mention of the Cloud Wall and the nifty transportation clouds.

Note: I read this as an Arc of unedited files, so some of this feedback may be resolved by the time it is fully published :)

Honestly, I had a hard time getting into this book. I felt like the author was attempting to “throw us into the action” but kept inserting background info in asides that really broke up the action of it all. I think if we had just gotten thrown into the action, then when the characters had more of a space to breathe and reflect, that may have worked better for me. But overall I felt like the timeline and progression of the story was kind of clunky and left me confused more often than not.

I think that this story has a lot of promise and was interesting, but the world building and timeline left some to be desired. I really respect what the author was trying to do. I think a lot of people will love this, but the first few chapters were hard for me to get through/remain interested in. I also had a bit of a hard time feeling connected or emotionally invested the characters, I think that I would have preferred some more character development.

Overall, I think that these changes could (relatively) easily be made to really strengthen this book. With some rework of the first few chapters so it is flowing better, a bit more world building earlier on, and some earlier character development, I would definitely recommend. Without that, I’d say I’m pretty neutral on it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In this romantic fantasy book, Sue Lynn Tan crafts a beautiful story between Liyen, the mortal heir of Tianxia, and the powerful God of War, Lord Zhangwei. After ascending the throne, Liyen vows to free her kingdom from the immortal realm's reign. As she strikes a deal and forms an alliance with the ruthless God of War, she finds herself drawn to him, an attraction she fights hard to resist.

I love the development of the romance between Liyen and Zhangwei-from wariness and hatred to that of love and affection. Their chemistry and banter were so good and had me kicking my feet!

Reading this book felt so much like watching a Chinese drama. I love how much the story explores the complicated relationship between the mortal and immortal realm as well as the "evil" realm of Wuxin, which turned out to be not what it seems.

After I finished reading, I found myself wanting for more, maybe even a bonus chapter of their life together after marriage. I hope to see something like that in the future!

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan is a first person-POV romantic fantasy inspired by Imperial China. Liyen is the granddaughter of the ruler of a mortal kingdom serving directly under the Immortal Realm. When her grandfather defies the Immortal Queen and gives Liyen a magical lotus to heal her, the God of War, Zhangwei, kills her grandfather and sets in motion a chain of events drawing him and Liyen closer together.

There is a kind of Beauty and the Beast vibe going on in the first part between Liyen and Zhangwei. It helps continue to set up the fairy tale/mythology aspects that Sue Lynn Tan is so well-known for, presenting something that Western audiences unfamiliar with Chinese legends could pick up on while also being filled with different creatures and beings that those who grew up with Chinese legends would be familiar with. It is a very fine balancing act and Tan handles it very well.

I loved Liyen and Zhangwei. I’m a big fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope but I’m also so picky. Rivals-to-lovers and annoyed-to-lovers very rarely hit on this trope for me because, when I pick up an enemies-to-lovers, I want to believe that the two could either kill or kiss each other at any given point in time and nobody, including them, knows exactly which one it’s gonna be. Liyen and Zhangwei certainly hit that at different points. I believed that they were enemies as far as Liyen was concerned and was here for her every time she got mad at herself for being attracted to Zhangwei.

I rarely comment on covers, but I have to comment on this one. It does everything I think a cover is supposed to do: tell the reader a story, introduce a character, or, in the case of a romance, the couple, and immediately make the reader go ‘What’s going on here?’ The colors are stunning and the imagery fits other books like it and yet stands out because it’s hitting on more of a hyper-stylization that has a lot of angles and bold lines.

I would recommend this to fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope, readers who love fairy tales looking for a book inspired by Chinese legend, and those looking for a standalone romantic fantasy with strong female characterization