“To win the God of War’s support was be wise— to fall in love with him would ruin me.”

I love Zhangwei. I love him so much. He’s in my top ten favorite book men. Liyen and Zhangwei’s story was so intriguing, I loved reading about them falling in love. They were so so so cute and I need to read her other series right now.

“I was the Lady of Tianxia and he was the God of War. There was no happy ending in our story.”

“You are more than your face, more than your name. With you, I am whole.”

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. This was a beautiful book. I enjoyed it a lot. I thought the story was going to go one way but it didn't and did something different and I was happily surprised. This was the first book I've read by this author and the author has done a fantastic job. The characters feel real and I got sucked into the book and had to finish as fast as possible. I will be reading other books by this author now and I'm looking forward to what she writes next. Go read this book people.

Absolutely captivating. I couldn’t put it down and I was constantly on the edge of my seat！One of my top books for 2024!

Liyen is the heir of the Tianxia kingdom. Also, she has been poisoned. To save her life, her grandfather gives her a lotus pearl. However, that makes the queen of the Golden Desert, the immortal goddess Caihong, furious. The immortals didn't kill her grandfather, but they scared him to death. Now, Liyen has to be the leader of a kingdom whose court doesn't want her. To ensure her position, Liyen has to swear loyalty to Caihong. Nonetheless, she has other plans. Liyen wants an alliance with the God of War, Lord Zhangwei, so she can ask him for her people's freedom. However, things are not as easy as they seem, and feelings soon appear. Can Liyen overcome her attraction to Zhangwei? Would Liyen surrender to her heart at the cost of her kingdom?

Although this book is a stand-alone, the author transports us again to the world of her debut novel, Daughter of the Moon Goddess. In this book, we are in the same universe as the Celestial Emperor, but in another kingdom of the immortal realm, the Golden Desert. Now, there are new characters who would give us a battle between heaven, earth, and the underworld. On one side, we have the immortals, beings who search for power and respect. These are commanded by Queen Caihong and her right hand, the Good of War. On the other side, we have the mortal realm with the kingdom of Tianxia. These humans have been obligated to live within walls and serve the immortals. The last part of the war is the underworld, and in the shadows, someone is moving the threads. All these elements combine to create the worst possible war.

That's why the destiny of the world rests on the shoulders of two characters, Liyen and Zhangwei. Liyen is a female character worthy of admiration. I never feel her like a victim. On the contrary, she was so strong that it took her long to let loose her feelings for Zhangwei. She was capable of tricking him and hurting him both physically and emotionally. My favorite part is that she never gave in to the court's wishes of finding her a husband. She was so clever that he preferred to do a tournament to find her husband than give in to what the court wanted. Her character makes more sense after we find out about a big secret.

Lord Zhangwei is our typical mysterious and traumatized main lead. As the God of War he is unstoppable, and merciless with his enemies. However, he is tired of everything that comes with his name and position. That's why since the very first moment, Zhangwei is described as a character with a sad aura; a Zhangwei that is tired of blood and death. However, when he's with Liyen, we can see a hidden side of him. A side that would make your blood chill because he is capable of anything for the people he loves. Yes, Zhangwei is the typical "if you touch her, you die" guy. Plus, he kisses the floor where Liyen walks. To my deep crush on the God of War, we have to add that I can't stop imagining him as Choi San of ATEEZ.

Immortal is a book full of fantasy, action, romance, secrets, and betrayals. I don't give you details of the romance between Liyen and Zhangwei because it would be a spoiler. Their love is the origin and solution of the plot. I would only say that like it always happens with Sue Lynn Tan, I never expected the plot twists. For me, this book is so much better than Daughter of the Moon Goddess. Also, if the opportunity appears, I would love to see it adapted into a Chinese drama. This book is a good choice and I can't wait for January 7, 2025, so you guys can read it.

I needed something to fill the void in my heart that Daughter of the Moon Goddess left, and this did it. Sue Lynn Tan is INCREDIBLE at her world building and story telling and this was no exception. Absolutely incredible

I’m really torn about this one. I did not love it nor did I dislike it. It was just there. I have read some Asian inspired stories lately and this one was just hard for me to get into. There was nothing wrong with the story, but it just didn’t blow me away like similar books did. So yeah, I feel like I am complete on outlier island here. But it’s just me.

Sorry, everyone, I don't have the best news to report. I didn't love it.

Rating: 3 ⭐️

Immortal tells the story of the romance between Liyen, a mortal queen, and Zhangwei, the God of War. It's an interesting world, but overall, the romance felt pretty weak.

There's a quote in the book where Liyen remarks about "the feelings that didn't feel wholly earned from him," in reference to Zhangwei. And that hit the nail right on the head for me. That's how I felt for most of the book. Like Zhangwei's almost immediate love and affection for Liyen was baseless and unwarranted.

There's a big twist (no spoilers) that places the first three-quarters of the book into a new perspective. However, while that was interesting and lended a greater understanding to the actions and emotions of many characters, that doesn't mean that most of the book wasn't still puzzling and a little dull.

Overall, it wasn't bad and there is definitely an interesting story here, but I'm a bit disappointed. I almost wish there had been a prequel, because if I had known the twist from the beginning, I might have found the story more enjoyable. But that's just me!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me early access to Immortal in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is my first book I’ve read written by Sue Lynn Tan, and l've already added her other titles to my collection. Her writing and world-building are truly remarkable. The banter between Liyen and Zhangwei is heartwarming, and their relationship is absolutely adorable. Initially, I was uncertain about how much I would enjoy the world Tan created, but as I delved deeper, I found myself increasingly captivated by both the setting and the characters.
One of the most impressive aspects of Tan's writing is her skill in tying up loose ends. Just when l'd have a question arise, she would address it chapters later, demonstrating a masterful narrative technique. The way she weaved the story to a satisfying conclusion was nothing short of impressive. She answered all my questions, leaving me a thoroughly satisfied reader.

FIVE⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Immortal is an epic stand-alone fantasy romance with strong characters and high stakes set in the same lush world as The Celestial Kingdom.

This was my first book from Sue Lynn Tan and it's truly a masterpiece. I was hooked from the start - I love how the author weaves twists and discoveries in with the romance. But this beautiful story becomes so much more than a romance, it has real depth. There's mystery, heartbreak, magic, sacrifice and humor. I couldn't put it down. It's extremely well thought out and beautifully written. I wish I could share every single one of the exquisite quotes I underlined while reading this. It truly is a perfect book and was a pleasure to read. I am usually pretty good at predicting storylines and it was very refreshing to be proven wrong with every guess.

P.S. THE GOD OF WAR……without spoiling anything just know that the romance in this HITS! The banter is top notch - it will be your next obsession. I will be re-reading this ASAP.

Make sure to check out all the special editions they are coming out with too!

Thank you SO much to Harper Collins Publishers and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC! I am honored to have been chosen as an ARC reader.

I absolutely adore everything Sue Lynn Tan writes - she has easily become an auto-buy author for me. Immortal has everything Sue does well: a beautiful backdrop, characters you easily enjoy reading about, relationships you believe in. There were maybe a couple of parts where the pacing could have been tweaked, but I overall thoroughly enjoyed this book. It could have easily been another duology, but I’m very grateful for the opportunity to dive into Immortal. Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and of course, Sue, for this beautiful and fun story.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperVoyager, for this eARC!!

ZHANGWEI, THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!

Let me preface this by saying that when I am looking for fantasy books, I tend to avoid romantasy. HOWEVER when Queen Sue Lynn Tan writes it, I gotta read it. This book!! I read it on my flight(s) across the country and it had me GIGGLING AND GASPING on the plane! I slept 0 hours because I could not put this book down!

The dialogue had me swooning and giggling and blushing. The banter! The starts-slow-but-snowballs-real-quick enemies to lovers vibes! The twists actually surprised me! The explanations that made the romance that much sweeter.

There were a lot of things that I loved about this book, but I think my fav think is that our main woman, Liyen, did not let fate or Immortals or Wuxin or anybody else dictate her fate. When given choices, she just made up new ones that suited her better. She loves her kingdom and her people, and she would not compromise on that! She was strong in her values and morals; she was kind, and open, and even in moments where her heart started to harden, she still remained gentle and soft in the ways that truly mattered.

I also am in love with our male love interest, Mr Lord Zhangwei. Talented, multi-faceted, clever, lover of life, powerful warrior, and takes-what-he-wants (but only with consent!). I don’t have many characters that I would classify as a “book boyfriend” for myself, but he certainly gets the title. I was blushing, I was grinning like a fool. We love a “touch her and die” kinda man!!

This book was BEAUTIFUL in every possible way - the story, the characters, all the world-building and lore.... I could go on and on, but my main point is this: Sue Lynn Tan does NOT MISS. I'm not the biggest fantasy reader but I was immediately hooked here, as I've been with all of Tan's previous releases, and I know part of that comes from just how magical and immersive I find her writing to be. Highly recommend!!!

Sue Lynn Tan has done it again!! Set in the world of the Celestial Kingdom, Immortal is an epic romance between a mortal ruler and the immortal God of War.

Full of twists and turns, this is a page-turner of lush fantasy. Compared to the Celestial Kingdom duology, we get a better picture of life in the mortal kingdom: Liyen is a mere mortal faced with the demands of the powerful immortals. She's a strong heroine and easy to root for (she's no damsel in distress, that's for sure).

Her relationship with the God of War felt natural and not too rushed. I loved the reincarnation plot point (what's romance without a little angst?). All in all, I'm hoping to see more of Liyen and the God of War in future books!

(and if you haven't read the Celestial Kingdom duology, I think you can still enjoy this separately)

This was such a beautiful story, I couldn’t put it down and told many of my friends and coworkers that they need to get it! Liyen becomes the new leader in the mortal world when her grandfather unexpectedly dies. To help her people, she has to work with the God of War in the immortal world. She finds herself in unexpected places and continues to grow as a leader for her people. Again, the storyline was beautiful and there are so many unexpected twists and turns It was hard to put the book down. Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC.

In a saturated market of romantasy, Immortal stands out. Lush world-building and a perfectly-paced romance that is interwoven into the high-stakes plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and am excited to read more from this author.

Thanks to Netgalley & Avon/Harper Voyager for the E-ARC! Beautiful story!! Loved the characters & the setting. Loved Daughter of The Moon Goddess by this author, so I knew I would love this one!

review ♥
immortal- sue lynn tan
★ ★ ★ ★

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the free copy to review.

Liyen becomes ruler of Tianxia when her grandfather lies to the Immortal Queen to save Liyen from imminent death. The Divine Lotus Pearl is one of a kind, and Liyen’s grandfather is tasked with protecting it. However, as Liyen’s sickness worsens, he decides to give her the Lotus Pearl to save her life. When the Immortal Queen asks for the lotus’s return, Liyen’s grandfather dies to protect her from the queen’s wrath. Liyen, now stronger than before, becomes the Lady of Tianxia and vows to protect the mortal citizens from the rule of the immortals. To provide the citizens of Tianxia with freedom, Liyen takes the opportunity to search for a way to save her people when called to the Immortal Realm. In an attempt to save her people, Liyen must live with Zhangwei, the infamous God of War. They form a bond filled with hate, spite, tension, and desire. Debating whether to trust the other or to regard them as an enemy. Will their relationship provide the strength for Liyen, a mortal girl, to fight her enemies and provide safety for her people?

Love. Loss. Betrayal. Tension. Greed. Banter. Sue Lynn Tan never fails to write a story with an internal message of cherishing life and recognizing the things that matter most. This story is one of falling in love. Falling for a person over and over again, falling in love with the people of a nation, and falling in love with every version of yourself. Liyen is forced to make selfless decisions and must learn about the beauty of mortality. She learns how special memories are and the bond of a found family. When faced with difficult decisions, she leads with her heart and fights to write her own ending. This standalone fantasy is full of all the emotions. It is the journey of self-discovery, filled with many trials and tribulations that push Liyen to make the most difficult decisions.

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Sue Lynn Tan’s world from Daughter of the Moon Goddess returns! Though this novel is a stand alone and can be read without reading the Celestial Kingdom duology, it was so much fun being back in this world!!

This novel is nothing short of whimsical and enthralling. Betrayal, unexpected love, a tale of destiny, forbidden magic and political intrigue are all wrapped up into a bundle of exhilarating adventure! Tan’s writing is so beautifully done and I will forever recommend any and all of her books!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.5🌶️

“I swear on my life, you can trust me with yours—I will guard it better than my own.“

Immortal is a lush romantic fantasy that follows Liyen, a mortal heir, and Zhangwei, The God of War. Their paths cross in an unexpected way at the start of the story.

Sue Lynn Tann creates such a beautiful and complex world. Her writing is lovely and manages to build in tension and angst.

Thank you to Harper Voyager for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.

“With you, it doesn’t matter if I win or lose.”

Sue Lynn Tan has done it again, everyone! I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet, I screamed, and even punched the air—this book had it all.

This is a heart-wrenching tale of staying true to oneself and carving your own path. Liyen must save her kingdom and free it from the Golden Desert, all while trying not to fall for the God of War 🫦

Reading this made me so happy; it felt like coming home. I love being in this world, and these characters remind me of those in the Celestial Kingdom Duology—yet they’re unique, with their own trials to face. Sue’s beautiful, flowery prose and the romance she brings to her stories are everything!

I will admit, the last 75% felt a bit heavy on the world-building, which made it hard to stay fully engaged, and the ending was a touch anticlimactic for me.

Still, I absolutely loved it and had such a great time with this story!