Sadly, it is a DNF for me after 57%. While the plot had intriguing moments, the overall spacing fell off and rushed. The characters were fine, but I didn't buy into their romance. It was too insta-love to be enjoyable for me and the romance is one of the main themes of the book. The writing is still as beautiful as her previous series. Thank you for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - An amazing fantasy read with a fantastic plot and enemies to lovers that was just everything! The book itself is the perfect mix of fantasy, romance and politics.

🖤 Enemies to Lovers
💙 Strong FMC
🖤 Chinese mythology
💙 Morally grey MMC
🖤 Forbidden Romance
💙 Slow Burn
🖤 Forced Proximity
💙 Fated Mates
🖤 Beautiful World

Honestly if the tropes don’t sum up the reason for picking up this book then I don’t know what else will.

I absolutely fell in love with Sue Lynn Tans books when I picked up her Daughter of the Moon Goddess series when I first got back into read and I can safely say this book has met all my expectations.

The world building was absolutely magical. I was able to vividly imagine the world created by her words and loved that it was linked to the worlds created in the previous series. It didn’t seem too bogged down and the plot evolved with the world building instead of being so heavy.

The relationship build up between Liyen and Zhangwei was everything! Their chemistry was electric and the tension was intense.

Liyen’s character development throughout the book is amazing to read. From such an unsure seemingly young woman to becoming fierce and confident is absolutely fantastic. Watching her grow, despite mistakes, and become the ruler she had set out to be.

The slow burn romance had me screaming at the pages. I was desperate for them to realise their chemistry and it made it all the better with the tension.

I am absolutely in love with Sue Lynn Tans books and this was an amazingly emotional rollercoaster throughout. I was gripped and unable to stop desperate to read more.

Thank you so much to Sue Lynn Tan, Harper Collins and Netgalley for this early review copy. 🫶

4.25 ⭐️

What would happiness be like if passion stopped guiding your movements and only love remained; that simple, yet all-encompassing love, what would it be like?

This book has helped me define some thoughts I had about what I wanted in life, what kind of love I was looking for, if I should be looking for love at all. And there’s one paragraph that is simply perfect and would give you exactly the feeling I had while reading this book, reading about this love.

(Although this isn’t at the end of the book, it might contain a spoiler.)

“The courtyard had been our haven, away from the demands of duty. No one disturbed us there, none daring to incur the God of War’s wrath. We had played weiqi in our room, eaten our meals in the garden. I had read while he played the qin. And at night, we’d slept entwined. There were also quieter moments of simple companionship, the kind when your soul is at peace, when your heart is whole. When you want nothing more from life… content to simply exist. This was how I felt when he was with me.”

There’s nothing else I could add that hasn’t been said in this extract. Just that I’m so grateful for having authors who can put into words exactly what my messy heart is feeling and can’t express. So poetic, so freeing. It was a beautiful read. And it's definitely up for a reread.

As a lover of Asian culture, I was really looking forward to reading this book, and it lived up to the hype. And as a fan of historical dramas, this book even contains some court drama, which I adore.

I would have loved to spend more time in the Netherworld; would have loved to know more about its folk, their culture. Also, even though the side characters' personalities and personal stories were so engaging, I think we barely got to spend enough time with them or to know them any further. But, while the time spent with them is sparse, it's also intense, and emotionally satisfying. I think this book would have been fantastic as a duology as well.

I will be reading the rest of Sue Lynn Tan's books so I can visit this world again. And I’m waiting (im)patiently for my physical copy to arrive so I can show it off on my shelves.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This was an intriguing read - at first I found it difficult to get into the narrative, but once the reveal happened halfway through things slotted into place and I enjoyed it a bit more. However I didn't connect with the characters on the emotional level I assume the author wanted, which made it difficult to care too much about the overall storyline.

I devoured this book!

It is a heart-warming, fast-paced book that you will need to read this year for sure!

I fell in love with the main characters immediately, the connection between them was made impeccably, and the storyline develops in a way that will make you want to read this book in only one sitting.

I also loved all the mythology references made - this was my first book by Sue Lynn Tan and I am sure it won't be the last!

Thank you so much for giving the chance to read this ARC, can't wait for the signing event soon!

Anything Sue writes, you know i'm going to read it. I love her other books and i was so excited to dive right back into this world and read about these new characters. "Immortal" was one of my anticipated reads for this year and it didn't disappoint. It was binge-worthy and incredibly paced. There was never a dull moment, making me read until past midnight some days 👀. I adore Liyen and Zhangwei. I love it when there's tension and secret pining between the characters. Makes the romance so much more enjoyable. Sue was the one to introduce me to chinese fantasy and i hope she continues to write more of these stories in the future because i will always read them.

I would like to thank harper collins and netgalley for allowing me to read an e-arc of this book.

A wonderfully emotional Romance I thoroughly enjoyed!

This story is truly well written. I adored the character development of the FMC (Liyen) especially. Both our protagonists feel well fleshed out and real. However, what really makes this book stand out is the delectably vivid descriptions and prose. This is not my first book by this author, but I have to say that I felt as if her pacing and language has improved since the last one of hers that I read. One of her strong points is her absolutely immersive world building and this one does not disappoint.

This book took me through a rollercoaster of emotions, and I loved every second of it. Do not however, expect High stakes. Though that does not detract from the plot at all. I am not a fan of insta-love in the slightest, in fact it usually one of my pet peeves, it did makes sense in this story. Though I cannot lie and say it didn't irk me at first.

Overall, this is a well written Romance, full of highs and lows with a satisfactory plot and good pacing. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys emotional Romance, with a whimsical air, Romantasy, with a dash of mystery.

Thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own and I am posting them voluntarily.

Immortal was a compelling story that weaved romance with great fantasy adventures. I absolutely loved how the story took new turns constantly and the depth of the love between our main characters. Sue Lynn Tan has cemented herself as a must read author for me.

Liyen is the ruler of Tianxia and has a duty to protect her people from the Immortals who her kingdom serves. But the ruler of the Immortal realm Zhangwei the God of War has other ideas, when Liyen wants to break the partnership and understanding between the two kingdoms.

The book was slow to start and the romance was a slow burn - that said when I got to over 100 pages in, the book became gripping and very fast paced. Plenty of twists and turns, the ending of the book I just didn’t see coming. Loved how descriptive the world building was and the ties to Chinese history and mythology. The connection between Liyen and Zhangwei was interesting and I felt I was really rooting for them.

I would highly recommend it to any fantasy and romantasy lovers.

Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK and HarperFiction for an e-arc of Sue Lynn Tan's Immortal.

Oh. My. God.

I knew I was going to enjoy this as Sue Lynn Tan always gets me but this book??? Everything. EVERYTHING.

This book made me remember why YA fantasy, when does right, is one of the best genres out there - the fact that in one book the author managed to get me screaming, crying and throwing up for these two and the most erotic thing on the page was him putting a comb in her hair? masterful. insane.

There were about 4 or 5 plot twists that had me throwing my kindle across the room and staring at a wall to process what I have just read - trust me when i say this book is just everything and I just cannot believe I'm not going to see any more of these characters!

First of all a huge thank you to NetGalleand the publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was everything I didn't know I needed. My heart clenched in my chest throughout reading this book, I happy squealed, I laughed, I tensed. But enough about my reactions.

The worldbuilding in this was beautiful, I particularly enjoyed how the descriptions varied with the different realms. The writing had a pleasant flow to it and the story had me gripped from the beginning.

I loved the interactions between Liyen and Zhangwei, the banter and just everything, especially the romance. I'm also quite fond of a found family, and Liyen's relationships with Chengyin and her Aunt were wonderful.

I'm so sad this book is finished. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book.

A delectably crafted standalone romantasy inspired by Chinese mythology, Immortal is the story of the ambitious ruler of Tianxia, Liyen and the deadly God of War, Zhangwei. Set in the same world as Daughter of the Moon Goddess , this book is probably my favourite Sue Lynn Tan book so far. Immortal tells a sweeping story, packed full of actions and spanning multiple realms. And yet, I never once felt like there were things left unanswered. Each plot thread is revealed in the best way possible and gets a delightfully satisfactory conclusion. Seriously, I don’t read a lot of standalone fantasy as I tend to gravitate more towards series, but this? Wow. Seriously wow.

I could spend ages waxing poetic about the gorgeous world building of this book. Every location feels real, and if I close my eyes, I could imagine myself standing there, taking in the action. It almost feels like I am watching a fantasy C-drama play out in the pages before me, and you know what? I am so here for that. The writing style is so beyond beautiful and honestly, I’ll run out of adjectives to describe how gorgeous it is. The writing is lush and descriptive, and just perfect to immerse yourself into this world and fall in love with the characters.

Speaking of characters, Liyen’s ambition and her determination to keep her goal - the safety of the people of Tianxia - is what made her my favourite. Never once does she waver from this goal, and even at the end, even when she is trapped in a deadly realm, she thinks of her kingdom. She is brave and strong and fierce, and you will really grow to love her as the story progresses. As for Zhangwei? From the moment he made his appearance on the page, I was a goner. He’s immortal, dangerous, fights with a sword and is charming…what’s not to love about him? His and Liyen’s dynamic was delectable and the way they fought (flirted) was amazing. I am a sucker for scenes where the love interest trains the main character and there were multiple here, so I was giggling with joy.

Liyen and Zhangwei’s dynamic shines for multiple reasons. They both harbour their own ambitions which clash against each other. At the start and throughout the middle, the two remain in constant contest with each other. And yet, there is a thin undercurrent that runs through them, of two souls, mortal and immortal, seeking each other. So when the plot twist is revealed, everything just fits together like the last piece on a thousand-piece puzzle.

Lush and deeply romantic, Immortal has found its way to my heart. There are many many good things to be said about this book, but I have already rambled too much so I am going to end my review by saying this - this book is an awe-inspiring masterpiece.

Thank you, Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperVoyager, for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A standalone story in the world of the "Daughter of the Moon Goddess", the Celestial Kingdom. It features new characters and no spoilers from other books set in the same world. The romantic fantasy follows themes of compassion, vengeance, self-discovery and the bonds of family and friendship.

As the heir to the Tianxia throne, Liyen must travel to the immortal queen to renew her kingdom's pledge to serve the immortals who once protected them. However, Liyen does not want to renew the pledge but vows to end her kingdom's obligation and rejoin the rest of the mortals. To achieve this, she must learn the secrets of the immortals. To this end, she forges a tenuous alliance with the one she should fear and mistrust, the ruthless God of War.

The story was a little confusing to me initially, considering the pace; however, as the story progressed, this became very logical and a nice detail later. It is a very good blend of politics, war and romance. This story was inspired by Chinese mythology, which is not my strong point, but I love learning more about it through books like these. The depth of the characters and the twist in the story kept me engaged, making reading easy, fast and fun. Though not my favourite book of Sue Lynn Tan, it is worth reading and I recommend it!

I love Sue Lynn Tan’s writing. Though not as good as The Daughter of the Moon Goddess, I really enjoyed this book. It was beautifully written and some of the twists and turns were thrilling. I spent a while thinking it was predictable and then it went off into a completely different direction!

While some of the themes were similar in this book and the last, I enjoyed the different gods and goddesses. I loved the main character a lot as well. It was good to see a character who wasn’t a fighter and tried to solve problems in other ways.

As Romantasy, the romance is really prominent in this. It was a good romance. I was a bit taken aback by the insta-love at the start, but I promise you, there was a good reason from it. It was really fun to see the pieces fit together.

Looking forward to what Sue Lynn Tan does next!

I am absolutely, utterly, and completely OBSESSED with this book!! I loved it so much that I'm still reeling from the experience. It definitely became one of my all time fav fantasy books.

The story was so well written and the character have my heart. I loved Lynn so much. her strength, determination, and vulnerability make her an unforgettable protagonist. And then, of course, there's the God of War... 🫠He's magnetic, ruthless, and captivating, making my jaw drop more than once. Their complex, forbidden relationship is expertly woven throughout the story, leaving me yearning for more.

What I loved most about this book is its masterful blend of fantasy, politics, and romance. The world-building is rich and immersive, with a intricate mythology that adds depth to the narrative. The pacing is impeccable, with unexpected twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

It is the first book I read of Sue lynn tan and I've become a fan of her writing. So I'm very excited to read her other books. 'Daughter of the Moon Goddess' sound amazing. So I'm going to read that next <33

Thank you Harper Collins and netgalley for the eARC of this book!!

4.5

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. All views and opinions are my own and I was not paid for a review.

Return to the Celestial Kingdom with this stand alone tale involving immortals and humans. After her grandfather's sudden death, she has to prove herself and find a way to save her kingdom. Even if it means bargaining with the Immortals who view mortal's lives as not worth saving. She finds her path crossing with the God of War and when she must visit the Immortal Realm to as part of becoming the official ruler of Tianxia, she must learn how to play the game and protect her kingdom.

This was an easy to devour tale set in a world I really enjoy. I like the magic and world building inspired by Chinese myths. Some is new, some is from other stories and it all just blends well together. I enjoyed the characters and Liyen's desire to keep pushing for what she knows is right even when she's uncomfortable. The writing is really lovely and I can definitely see myself rereading this along with the rest of the books set in this world.

3,5 stars

The magic and world in this story is so beautiful, and the world building felt so immersive. It's different than your typical fantasy romance and it does feel like an epic fantasy adventure. I really liked Liyen and Zhangwei's characters individually but I felt like something was missing a little bit in their relationship story.

Also I think this should have been split into a duology because parts of the story felt a little rushed as it was a standalone but I still really enjoyed this book. Anyone wanting fantasy romance with adventure, secrets and beautiful world building should definitely read this!

I thought this was sensational. Absolutely adored the mythology. Gods, monsters and more. Found the twists completely fascinating.


Thank you Sue Lynn Tan, HarperCollins and Netgalley for the ARC

Thank you, HarperCollins UK, for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

This was my first Sue Lynn Tan book and I loved it! If you follow me on Bookstagram (@pageosaurus), you know how important cultural representation is to me and how much I enjoy experiencing different cultures through reading, so this book was a must-read for me.

I was not expecting the action to start right away, but I was immediately pulled into the story. The world-building was amazing! I honestly don't have words for it – you have to read it.
Liyen was the perfect fmc – seemingly weak and fragile at first, but then turning into a strong and powerful character. The tension between her and the God of War Zhangwei was intense and I liked their bickering a lot. I loved it when Zhangwei got jealous and grumpy and that he did everything he could for Liyen.
I didn't see the plot twist coming (sorry, I was there for the vibes 😂), but I loved how the conflict was resolved. It was great to see how Liyen found her own way of doing things and how she found strength in her weaknesses. The ending made everything fall into place. 5 stars!

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. The writing just wasn't quite the right fit for me, the characters seem a bit underdeveloped and I didn't find myself interested in them or the shallow romance. I'm really sorry - thank you for the opportunity to ARC read this book