*ARC review - 4,5 ⭐️*

“Immortal” is a standalone romantic fantasy, set in the same world as “The Celestial Kingdom” series.
The story features new characters and there are no spoilers to the series.
This is the first book from Sue Lynn Tan that I read. From the beginning I was convinced to keep reading by the beautiful descriptions, good writing and the world building.

The main themes and tropes are:
* enemies to lovers
* vengeance
* mythology
* political intrigue
* magic
* legendary creatures
* star crossed
* found family

Liyen is the heir to the Tianxia throne and she needs to make an alliance with Zhangwei, the broody God of War. I liked Liyen from the beginning and she has a great character development during the book. Even if she is young and was not prepared to take over the throne, she fights for her people.
As we only have Liyen’s perspective, the God of War is a mysterious character in the beginning. But he is so protective of her and she feels an attraction from the start. There are so many moments when he makes such sweet declarations.
Still, there is slow burn full with tension, banter and a betrayal that I did not see coming. During the book there were a few twists that surprised me and there is also a lot of action.

Overall I enjoyed reading this book a lot and have many paragraphs highlighted. The book convinced me to finally read the Celestial Kingdom series.

I received an advance reader copy from HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

ALL HAIL OUR QUEEN OF ADULT ROMANTIC FANTASY, SUE LYNN TAN. The rumours are true, readers; she has crafted us another 5-star book straight from the celestial heavens.

I must enter the confession booth and divulge a hideous sin before I start this review. During the first third of this book, I succumbed to the whispers that Sue Lynn’s new book, Immortal, was just a one-dimensional enemies-to-lovers romantasy. To be fair, that is also sort of how it was marketed.

However, by the time I came to the end of Act 1, I humbly repented and reaffirmed and swore my eternal allegiance to Queen Sue Lynn Tan. Immortal had me in an absolute chokehold the entire second and third acts, so much so that by the time we arrived at Act 3, I realized how expertly Act 1 had been crafted to set us up for the real journey we were about to embark on.

At the end of the book, I was a mess of tears and exhilaration. Right now, I'm angry that this book will be kept from the rest of the world for another two months. It is clear to me Queen Sue Lynn will have a long and wealthy reign over adult romantic fantasy (she transcends romantasy, in my opinion) and I am going to outline below exactly why Immortal deserves to be on everyone’s pre-order list if they liked the Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

Liyen, Heir of Tanxia, and Zhangwe God of War

*proceeds to sob hysterically and fancast Dylan Wang and Esther Yu*



Liyen and Zhangwe. Zhangwe and Liyen.

These two had to work for my heart, but once they got it, they held onto it, abused it, and will now be holding a piece of it at ransom for the rest of their immortal souls. Like watching reflections on the water and mistaking them for the real human beings, the first few chapters I was very confused at the dynamic between Liyen and Zhangwe. But Queen Sue Lynn knew exactly what she was doing because as the chapters progressed, I realized that I had misjudged these characters and their relationship. The evolvement of their relationship and how they navigated their conflicting duties was so beautiful to watch unfold. I really appreciated that Liyen and Zhangwe were so different from the Daughter of the Moon Goddess characters and that we were given a proper ending to their story.

Additionally, I adore the fact that all her side characters are morally complex; no one is simply good or bad, not even the main characters themselves. Time was taken to flesh out the complex relationships between all the secondary characters. Therefore, even when the plot twists were revealed, I never felt that previous characterizations were out of place; everything made sense.

Worldbuilding and writing

Lush and evocative world-building is Queen Sue Lynn’s domain, and this book was rife with it. I truly felt immersed in the world she created, and the balance between dialogue and description was perfectly struck. She has such a beautiful mind; I truly want to escape into the divine world she has created, even with all its monsters and villains. Queen Sue Lynn also has an expert ability to write tiny details into the world that we initially think are benign, only for them to become incredibly important in the plot. There are so many details, but it never descends into purple prose. Everything has a purpose.

Plot



I read a lot, but I truly couldn’t’ predict where this book was going. I literally had my hand to my mouth the entire time because I was so shocked throughout the book. I envy anyone who gets to experience this book for the first time, yet my re-reads are going to be incredibly lovely because now I know the plot; there are details and characterisations that are going to hit differently. If you watch C Dramas and K Dramas, the plot points might be more predictable to you. However, the inner thoughts and reflections that Queen Sue Lynn intersperses throughout the text are so unique and complex, you still will feel like you are reading an original story. She can subvert common expectations that come with romantic fantasy with a finesse few authors possess.

This is a plot where you are not sure if it ends on a happy ending until the last chapter. It makes the stakes more tangible and invests your heart into the torturous ordeal in a magnificent way.



Conclusion

I’m excited for the world to read this book and fall in love with Immortal. I can already tell this is going to be one of the best books of 2025, hands down. Queen Sue Lynn has a lot of ideas and stories left within her and is not recycling things from her previous successful duology. That only makes me more excited for the new books and characters we will be introduced to in her Xianxia universe.


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

“There is a hole in my heart. I don’t know if it will ever close or if anything will fill it, but I also don’t want it to. I want to miss him, to never forget."


“Was this love? I cast those questions aside, suddenly afraid. To win the God of War’s support was wise; to fall in love with him would ruin me.”

3 stars.
Liyen’s grandfather chooses her life over any obligation to the Immortals (essentially gods) and it kickstarts a tale of betrayals, love and war.
I really wanted to love this but the execution was off. The plot, however, is great; the story is told in three parts, I was more invested in 2 and 3 but part 1 was too fast paced. The scene transitions and time changes were poor. The relationships between the characters were emotionless. I couldn’t care about Liyen at all, she was very temperamental. It’s hard to empathise with a character that you don’t like.
If the first part was more fleshed out so we had a bit more of a back story I feel like this would have been a five star!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this eARC.

I really enjoyed reading this book, I felt that there was really strong descriptive writing and the world building was immersive and easy to follow and understand. The author created a really enjoyable reading experience with this.

The characters were written strongly as well, and I enjoyed the dynamic between Liyen and the God of War. I think this was written really well and I liked the twists and turns between their relationship.

I would definitely recommend this book if you enjoy reading about Chinese mythology as this is a book which is done really well.

This book was my first book by Sue Lynn Tan and it was everything I hoped for!

The world building was beautifully crafted, together with the names and kingdoms in a Chinese mythological inspired world. Despite this book being set in the same world as the author’s previous series, Daughter of the Moon Goddess, IMMORTAL can be read as a standalone, and it is also a standalone novel. I really enjoyed the lush prose in this book, together with the world of Tianxia (which means under heaven in Chinese) as well as the inclusion of the Heavens and Kunlun Mountains (which is an actual place in real life!)

The relationship between Liyen, Lady of Tianxia and the God of War, also known as Lord Zhangwei was electrifying right from the start. It was a slow-burn story with a well-written plot twist about 2/3 into the novel.

Can't wait to read more of Sue Lynn Tan's books.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of IMMORTAL!

Sue Lynn Tan’s Immortal is an enchanting tapestry of myth, magic, and intricate relationships that left me utterly captivated. As a first-time reader of this author, I found myself deeply invested not only in the characters but also in the richly imagined world they inhabit. This book is a masterful blend of lush prose, compelling storytelling, and profound emotional depth, making it an unforgettable journey for fantasy enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
The characters in Immortal are a true highlight, each one multifaceted and imbued with a sense of authenticity. The characters are vivid and relatable and Sue Lynn Tan has a remarkable ability to create protagonists and supporting figures who feel as real as they are extraordinary. Their motivations, struggles, and triumphs resonate deeply, making it impossible not to root for them—or, in some cases, to begrudgingly admire their cunning. Their relationships are intricately woven, layered with tension, loyalty, and moments of heart-wrenching vulnerability. I found myself wholly invested in their journeys, eager to follow their paths and see how their stories intertwined.
The world-building in Immortal is nothing short of spectacular. Sue Lynn Tan constructs a realm steeped in mythology and wonder, brimming with vivid landscapes, intricate cultural nuances, and an atmosphere that feels almost tangible. The lore of the world is seamlessly integrated into the narrative, enhancing the story’s depth without ever overwhelming the reader. Every setting, from celestial courts to shadowy forests, is described with a painterly precision that transports you directly into the heart of the story.
Sue Lynn Tan’s writing is poetic yet accessible, balancing lyrical descriptions with sharp dialogue and gripping action. Her prose has a rhythm that mirrors the ebb and flow of the story, pulling the reader along with ease. The emotional beats hit hard, from moments of joy and triumph to scenes of sorrow and heartbreak. This is a book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page.

Immortal is a stunning introduction to Sue Lynn Tan’s work, and I am eager to dive into her backlist to experience more of her storytelling magic. I also look forward to seeing what she creates next, as this book has firmly established her as a must-read author for me.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Harper Voyager, Sue Lynn Tan, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader’s copy of this book. This is an honest review of a novel that has truly enriched my reading experience.

Immortal von Sue Lynn Tan hat mich neugierig gemacht, weil ich Geschichten liebe, die in mythischen Welten spielen und von alten Legenden inspiriert sind. Das Buch basiert auf chinesischer Mythologie, speziell der Geschichte von Chang’e, der Mondgöttin, und das Setting hat mich sofort angesprochen. Die Welt ist wunderschön und detailreich beschrieben – fast wie ein Gemälde, das vor meinen Augen zum Leben erwacht ist.

Trotzdem hatte ich beim Lesen immer wieder das Gefühl, dass etwas fehlt. Die Protagonistin, Xingyin, ist zweifellos mutig und entschlossen, aber ich konnte keine richtige Verbindung zu ihr aufbauen. Ihre Entwicklung war mir oft zu sprunghaft, und einige ihrer Entscheidungen wirkten nicht ganz überzeugend. Es war, als ob sie immer nur von einer epischen Herausforderung zur nächsten sprang, ohne dass ich wirklich spürte, was sie innerlich bewegt.

Auch die Handlung hat mich nicht völlig überzeugt. Es gab spannende Momente, vor allem am Anfang, als Xingyin gezwungen ist, ihre Heimat zu verlassen und sich in der Welt der Unsterblichen zurechtzufinden. Doch nach einer Weile fühlte es sich an, als ob die Geschichte zu viele Elemente aufgreifen wollte – Liebe, Verrat, epische Schlachten – ohne einem davon genug Tiefe zu geben. Die romantischen Verwicklungen haben mich leider auch nicht gepackt. Sie wirkten eher wie eine Pflichtaufgabe, als dass sie wirklich emotional mitreißend waren.

Was ich allerdings wirklich geliebt habe, war der Schreibstil. Sue Lynn Tan hat eine wunderschöne Sprache, die fast poetisch wirkt. Ihre Beschreibungen der Monde, Paläste und himmlischen Landschaften waren absolut beeindruckend. Das Buch hat mich visuell begeistert, auch wenn die Handlung und die Charaktere nicht ganz mithalten konnten.

Alles in allem ist Immortal für mich ein Buch mit viel Potenzial, das aber nicht ganz erfüllt wurde. Es war okay, aber es hat mich nicht so emotional berührt, wie ich es mir gewünscht hätte. Ich würde es Leserinnen und Lesern empfehlen, die asiatische Mythologie lieben und sich vor allem in atmosphärischen Beschreibungen verlieren möchten. Wer allerdings eine tiefgründige Story und komplexe Charaktere sucht, wird hier vielleicht enttäuscht sein.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster. I was laughing, I was crying, I was smiling at some really cute scenes, and then bam – something happened. I could not relax, but there were definitely scenes I didn’t want to leave. There was one part in particular that had me blubbing, and it wasn’t even a sad scene!

It’s a standalone book, set in the same world as the Celestial Kingdom duology, but you don’t need to have read that to enjoy this book. In fact, none of the characters from the original duology are even mentioned, which did make me a little sad because I wanted a cameo or two, but I can also understand why it didn’t happen. It’s much faster paced than Daughter of the Moon Goddess, which is good because I slipped into this world easily. It gripped me right from the start then continued to hold my attention throughout. The world building was seamlessly blended into the story itself.

This book follows Liyen who became ruler of her people after the immortals attack her kingdom and her grandfather dies. Her kingdom has always served the immortals, but she wants out. She wants her kingdom to be able to rejoin the mortal world again, where they belong. So when she has to go with the God of War to the pledge her fealty to the Queen of the Golden Desert, she decides to do a little investigating, to try and find a way to break the immortal’s hold. The only problem is, she’s stolen something from the queen, and the queen wants it back. Another added complication is that she is staying in the God of War’s house, and she’s starting to realise everything she thought about him might not be entirely true, and he is annoyingly attractive. There were twists upon twists that I did not see coming. This is an enemies-to-lovers romance, but there is even a twist on this, too. Forget everything you think you know, because you will be wrong, and just enjoy the ride.

If you like sweeping fantasies with an underdog heroine that fights for her people because she knows it’s right, despite what it might cost her, you will love this book. If you liked Daughter of the Moon Goddess but wished it was a little faster paced, pick up this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this e-arc!

Sadly I had to end this book. The FMC was so childish and back and forth in her actions. She’s say something and be so rash with her decisions that I couldn’t get on board with her. I’m sure this is marketed as adult but her choices seemed so child like and she was very melodramatic


She thanked him for her people but she continuously stated that she didn’t think he done well so why say it?

I think dual pov would’ve been better for this book as the mmc wouldn’t been fun to deep dive into!

Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Heart of the Sun Warrior were two of my absolute favourite books of the last few years so I was delighted to get the chance to read and review this newest book from Sue Lynn Tan.

As with her first duology, the world building is beautiful and the way she evokes a sense of place is stunning. Her writing truly does feel magical, it brings you to another place so completely.

I would have maybe preferred slightly more time spent on the developing relationship between Liyen and Zhangwei, the downside of this being a standalone was that their romance felt quite insta-love and I missed the slower and deeper development of previous books. That said, I loved the way the plot developed and their relationship shifted and changed with betrayals and revelations, and that later development made up for the speed that they seemed to fall early on.

All in all another stunning book from this author, I thoroughly enjoyed diving back into this magical world.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the arc!

🌟✨/5

Sue Lynn Tan made quite the splash in the fantasy genre with her phenomenal debut, Daughter of the Moon Goddess. It was hard to not fall in love with the lush worldbuilding and the high-stakes, fast paced plot, both held together by Tan's gorgeous prose. I was thrilled when another book set in the same world as the Celestial Kingdoms duology was announced. Unfortunately, this was a huge letdown.

The characterization in this book was truly awful. Liyen and Zhangwei are some of the flattest, most forgettable MCs I've ever come across. Reading from Liyen's perspective was an agonizing experience. She's adept at making horrible decisions. She's also pretty much useless. Zhangwei is your typical romantasy love interest....tall and brooding, has a fearsome reputation but is actually a nice person (Shocker, I know😱). He's the kind that makes the entire booktok community swoon and makes me want to bang my head on a wall. The 'romance' is, as is the case with most romantasy books, insta-lust masquerading as love. Reading things like 'Who did this to you?' and 'Touch her and you'll die' is even more infuriating than usual if the MCs have no chemistry. The dialogue was unnatural and awkward. The plot twist made the romance plotline so much worse. It also ended up introducing plot points that led nowhere.

The plot itself is very weak. 'Immortal' brings nothing new and exciting to the table and reads like a stereotypical fantasy novel. The worldbuilding in Tan's debut was its biggest strengths. Here, it serves as nothing more than a prop and doesn't have the same immersive feel to it. The stakes were non-existent. Liyen does nothing herself, everything is handed to her. Whatever little conflict there is, it is resolved within moments. Since we had a ruler MC, I was expecting more political intrigue but got none. Overall, the novel felt half baked and poorly put together. It felt like the author wanted to do too many things at once but ended up butchering all of them. The climax was poorly executed as well.

While I'll check out whatever SLT writes in the future, I do not recommend this book. I got nothing new from it and ended up wasting my time.

Utterly charming. Such an enchanting read.

This story follows a young mortal heir, Liyen, who has big dreams; for her people to be free of the Gods.
The Gods demand devotion in return for protection but also punish the mortals with bad weather and illness if they are unhappy.
Unexpected circumstances means Liyen needs the help of the insufferable God of War, Zhangwei…. The only problem. The God of War awakens something inside Liyen that threatens to set everything ablaze.

I could not put this book down. This is my first read by Sue Lynn Tan and she did not disappoint.
I loved the world building. I loved the characters and how beautifully it was woven together. I laughed and I cringed hard with the characters.
My only negative is I wish it was longer! I would have happily had it end on a cliffhanger and then read another book in this enchanting world.

Thank you NetGalley and Sue Lynn Tan for sending me the E arc of this beautiful story.
I cannot wait to get my hands on the hardcover on release day !

4.25 ⭐️

Once again, Sue Lynn Tan reigns supreme when it comes to building a beautiful world in which to set her story. We cross into different kingdoms, and each one has time taken to set up the details that separate them.

I fell for the love interest before the end of part one. The romance moves fairly quickly, but I had a hunch that proved almost correct that provided a reason for this. I do wish we got to see more of them forging their connection. It was a tad disjointed for me and felt a little insta-love.

Plot wise, I spent part one thinking the romance and Liyen's plot to free her kingdom was going to be the majority of the plot, and honestly, i wouldn't have minded it. Then the twists started to hit, and it was the first time in a long time that I was too excited to put a book down.

The other part of the plot revolves around the resurgence of a war and the character of our cast. How far will they go for revenge? For power? For love? This aspect took me a little while to get into because it took time from the already established plot points, but I loved the ending. The 20% of the book was very well done, I did get emotional at some points.

Overall, I would say DOTMG was a little more seamless. Hence, it's 5⭐️ rating. But Immortal is just as beautiful, and the plot twists are crazy good. I love the way the author writes, and I'm never disappointed in her world building.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan is a captivating fantasy novel that weaves together lush world-building, a heartfelt romance, and an engaging plot. Set in a vibrant world inspired by Chinese mythology, the novel transports readers into a realm where gods, immortals, and mortals coexist, and where destiny and love collide in unexpected ways.

One of the standout features of the book is the world itself. Tan’s writing is rich and immersive, creating a universe that feels both enchanting and dangerous. The mythology is deeply woven into the fabric of the story, and the settings—from celestial realms to more earthly locations—are vivid and atmospheric. It’s the kind of world that draws you in, where the rules of magic and immortality shape the very nature of the characters’ lives.

The romance at the heart of Immortal is beautifully crafted. It’s not just a love story but a journey of self-discovery and personal growth for both protagonists. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and their relationship evolves in a way that feels earned, not rushed. There’s a nice balance between romance and the larger plot, and while the romance is certainly a key focus, it never overshadows the broader narrative.

What I appreciated most was how well the book works as a standalone. It ties up its storylines in a satisfying way, offering a complete arc without leaving readers hanging for future installments. While it could have easily turned into a series, Tan opts for a more self-contained narrative, which I think works really well here.

The pacing of the story was generally smooth, though there were moments where the plot felt a bit predictable. That being said, the twists and turns kept me hooked, and the emotional stakes were high enough that it didn’t feel like a traditional, predictable fantasy. I would have liked a bit more depth in some secondary characters, but overall, the main cast is well-developed and compelling.

Immortal is a fantastic choice for fans of fantasy with romantic elements. The world-building is strong, the romance is heartwarming, and the story itself is satisfying. While it didn’t quite blow me away to a 5-star level, it was an incredibly enjoyable read, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a standalone fantasy novel with a dash of romance.

ᨳ᭬ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑࿐ྂ

“His breathing was as rough as mine, my heart pounding as his, my palms against his bared chest— his skin like sun-warmed silk. A headiness consumed me like I was drunk on wine, in a dream I never wanted to awaken from, a divine moment when reality is more wondrous than fantasy. We were so close, so intimate— we were as one.”

It was no surprise that i’m gonna like it so much, i had already read “Daughter and Moon Goddess" and absolutely loved it.

The writing style is pure magic and i can't get enough of it. Everything here was amazing especially the love story.

4.5 ✨

Firstly, what a perfect standalone - finished with everything I needed and more.

This book is inspired by Chinese mythology and is extremely easy to follow (like all of all of the authors other books her writing style is fluent and clear).

The god of war? New book boyfriend.

FMC with realistic development and weaknesses? Check.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I think this may be my favourite of hers so far!

This story started out fast-paced and dove straight into action, which had me hooked. I really enjoyed it to start with, but further along I started to feel like the pacing was a bit slow and the plot a little predictable. Zhangwei and Liyen's interactions felt a bit forced, and whilst the seemingly strange dynamic of how Zhangwei appeared instantly attracted to Liyen whereas she hated him was explained later on in the book, overall I felt the plot was a bit flat. Nonetheless, the writing was still very beautiful, just like in DOTMG. The author definitely has a magical way with her words! Thank you so much to Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the ARC.

Immortal was my first asian-inspired romantasy.
I enjoyed following Liyen, our human FMC, freshly appointed ruler of her kingdom, and the God of War, directly coming from above. She is committed to her people but needs to learn everything, he is the greatest warrior of his Queen. It seems they have an ennemy in common, the Wuxin, but not everything is as it seems...
This is a story about love, and the tension between them was great, edging on betrayal at some point. This is a story about secrets, forbidden magic, doubts.
If you fancy descriptions, you will like this book, as it is very contemplative : I was completely immerged in this world, with jade temples, ponds with lotus, blooming trees!

Like many others, I was super excited to see another book taking us to the Celestial Kingdom that Tan created. I think I felt almost entirely opposite to some reviewers who fell on the later half of the book.

For me, I started it and thought 'Oh Liyen is going to fall in love with the God of War and blah blah blah'. I thought I could see the whole plot working out, especially when Liyen goes to the Immortal Realm. I was very smug thinking I'd had the whole story sussed out. But Tan's written a book that throws a lot of your expectations out the window.

I thought we'd had Liyen learning to overcome her hate of the gods, which we kind of did but not how you'd expect. This sudden super attraction between the Liyen and the God of War I saw as being one of those unrealistic, happens in two days and can't fight the attraction, coupled with 'There was only one safe place to take her'. I was pleasantly surprised when this was not at all the case. And it made for a captivating read as a result.

As her third full book, and fourth set in this kingdom, Sue Lynn Tan is making a very solid name for herself in her ability to craft a colourful, rich and, most importantly, magical reads. Finishing Immortal has me yet again waiting with excitement for what we'll see from her next!

Immortal was one of my anticipated reads for 2025, because I loved the Celestial Kingdom duology a lot ... but I had to DNF this one at 40%.

I knew that Immortal was a romance fantasy story, but I was still taken aback by how much of the story focused and happened because of the romance plot. Even when there's a kingdom at stake, the enmity and arguments were personal and made for the romance plot. I honestly expected more weight in the characters and fantasy aspect. I think (I may be wrong idk) this was marketed as an ADULT romance fantasy, but the MC's behavior, worldview, and narration were rather juvenile/simplistic/superficial. There were SO MANY ~my body moved without thinking / words came out before I knew it~ moments from her. Not many things happened in the first 25% of the story but the MC did a lot of TELLING such as “x & y are bad bc so & so” “i need to be x bc so & so”. Every moral conundrum or political step were overexplained in the MCs narration like I'm five ... and repeatedly.

I think I would be able to overlook the stuff above if the romance was at least interesting and/or had some chemistry, but alas it did not.

eARC provided by NetGalley and Harper Voyager UK.