I enjoyed this for the most part, the writing style was pretty, maybe a little too poeticly descriptive for me personally. The story itself was good, the flow was interupted for me due to MANY parts being repeated 2 or 3 times, so trying to figure out where the next part continued was really annoying. The world was interesting, and easy enough to understand when you got into the story, I felt like there were a few things that weren't really explained, like the becoming human part, was she immediately an adult? If so how did she have a family? Was she reborn? Did her appearance change, so nobody could recognise her?

5/5
I LOVED this! As usual, Sue Lynn Tan's writing is beautiful. The plot development was smooth and well-thought-out. In the beginning, I didn't quite understand Liyen and Zhangwei's attraction to each other—it felt sudden, with no clear reasoning or buildup (hello? you're enemies, you just met!). I was worried it might become a plot hole, but it was explained later. There were other confusing moments like this, but they all became clear as the story progressed. I was also concerned about Liyen's development after the big reveal, but I liked how it was handled. The story's just well-planned IMO. I also loved their bickering—especially when Zhangwei showed up in his war attire after her letter lol. Overall, a 5-star read, and I've already secured three special editions (the UK spine is gorgeous!).

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

It’s been a long time since I read the Daughter of the Moon Goddess and it’s sequel, but thankfully this book set in the same world still made sense to me. This book follows Liyen and the God of War; as they bicker their way through. I won’t spoil the actual plot; but I really enjoyed the twist in this. There was enough foreshadowing for it, yet it never felt completely obvious.

I really love Sue Lynn Tan’s writing style; the lyrical prose transports you so easily to this world of Immortals and magic.
I really liked the two characters and how their relationship grows, and the themes of broken trust and rebuilding.

If you want to try Chinese mythology inspired fantasy, this is a fantastic entry point. You need no prior knowledge to enjoy this book, and it’s a standalone!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Oh my god What a beautiful read! This is the first book to me by thus author and oh my god have I been living under a rock. Loved the beautiful wiring and compelling story telling. The Immaculate world building and character development! Love! Love! Love! 10 stars!
It's a must read! Can't wait to get this beautiful special edition for my bookshelf!

This one unfortunately wasn't for me. The characters didn't come across as well formed and the world building wasn't as good as I would have liked. I didn't feel connected to the characters or the storyline.

I loved this book from the moment I saw it. The cover is gorgeous, the summary makes you want to pick it up and read it. And the book itself, well I was hooked from the first page. I loved the characters and world building. I would highly recommend this. A lovely Christmas present for the book lovers in your life x

This was such a captivating read from the first page. I loved the pace and was constantly curious to know more about the gods and the world around them. It was such a welcome change to read more fantasy inspired from a different history/background to what is usually represented. The writing was engaging and entertaining, with a fantastic page and stunning imagery. I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you Harper Voyager, Sue Lynn Tan and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan is a standalone novel inspired by Chinese Mythology. This book happened to be my first book by the author and a perfect introduction to Chinese Mythology inspired books! Tan's writing is whimsical and lyrical yet simple at the same time. The way she paces the book was brilliantly as it never felt too slow or too fast and everything seemed to go in a flow. The characters were very well developed and had personalities and backstories of their own --- including the side characters. The plot pacing was perfect and I enjoyed the way it unfolded. The plot twists were unexpected and unpredictable but some of them I had expected. The romance between Zhangwei and Liyen was perfect with the right amount of slow burn and banter.

Overall, this book was a very refreshing and enjoyable read with lyrical and whimsical writing churned in Chinese Mythology!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager UK for the ARC! Immortal is a standalone novel with fantasy elements from Chinese Mythology inspired setting which will blow your mind. The characters were so well developed with unique identities of their own and the pacing of the plot was perfect, neither to fast nor slow. Most of the plot twists were unexpected but had me grappling and losing my mind over it. Overall, it was a really captivating and refreshing read after a long time!

5⭐

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager UK for the ARC!

“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙪𝙨, 𝙄 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚.”

Immortal, is a stunning standalone romantic fantasy novel with forbidden secrets, mystery and magic where a young ruler fights to protect her kingdom by Sue Lynn Tan.

I started reading Immortal with very absurdly high expectations and it did not fail me. Whether it was from the whimsical prose, the well developed characters or lush world-building, it allured my attention and had me hooked from the very first chapter.

Set against a lush and vividly drawn backdrop with elements from Chinese Mythology to create a mysterious blend of a romantic fantasy intertwined with political intrigue and forbidden magic.

Zhangwei is stoic and somewhat aloof, 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. There is so much mystery surrounding him that was unravelled so beautifully and the way his cunning mind intricately plotted showed how well he was developed as a character. His intentions and thoughts are unclear which brings a sense of distrust in him while the romantic plot blooms between the God of War and Liyen.

Liyen was an interesting protagonist. She looked mysterious to an onlooker with a brash and stubborn attitude.As the story progressed we see a different side of her -- how she became the person she was. She is soft yet sharp, brash yet resolved, she is a character with evolution. She was never playing the rule of Mary Sue being super strong and perfect. She had flaws of her own and frail as any mortal but without a filter when it came to get opinions. Liyen was honestly a menace in the best way possible.

The banter and romance between Liyen and the God of War was perfect. The progression, the banter, the struggle, the betrayal and the heart were perfectly paced.

The world-building was so intricately constructee and very vivid to imagine. The lush setting and backdrop with vivid descriptions were perfectly to enact the scenes in mind. The plot is perfect paced, not fast or slow. The twists however had me grappling because they were foreshadowed so many times but so subtly that you would have never guessed it. Most of them were unexpected and took a different direction than I had expected and some had caught my eness excitement when I was proved right!

Immortal is truly an immortally thrilling read with heartbreak and angst. The stakes were high with everything going on. The side characters were as fun and developed as the main characters. It is enchanting and wholly enjoyable from every part of the book. Nothing is as it seems, as the story unfolds into a tale of its own.

3.5⭐️ 1🌶️
- Enemies to lovers
- Slow burn romance
- Touch-her-and-💀
- Found Family

When Liyan inherits the throne of Tianxia from her grandfather, she is determined to break the bonds binding her mortal people in service to Queen Caihong and the rest of the Immortals. She makes an unlikely ally in Zhangwei, God of War, and finds herself increasingly drawn to the Immortal who should be her enemy. But when Liyen’s kingdom faces a dark peril she must uncover secrets in her past, face her destiny, and ultimately risk everything to save her people.

With thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!

Immortal is a magical and enchanting stand-alone fantasy. The writing style is immersive and engaging from the start, and the world building is beautiful and evocative.

At first I struggled with the MCs. I felt the chemistry between Liyan and Zhangwei was lacking, Liyan came across as petulant and some bits were just plain puzzling. BUT, give it time! There are many twists and turns in the plot and once all becomes clear it casts the first half of the book in a new light. I definitely enjoyed the second half more.

The story is romantic, and I liked how the relationship between Liyan and Zhangwei evolves. 🌶️ is limited as it is predominantly a closed door romantasy - so that’s either a pro or a con depending on personal preference!

Overall I enjoyed it, the world building is beautiful and steeped in mythology. It was easy to be swept way by Sue Lynn Tan’s writing. After reading Immortal I’m looking forward to reading the Celestial Kingdom at some point in the future!

i wld read sue lynn tan's grocery list if i could honestly.

this was so well written. i loved the world building and the relationship developments but i did get a bit bored the longer the book dragged on i liked it the most in the first 100 pages or so

the main chara, liyen, was amazing. always stood up for herself and fought for what she believed in. love interest, zhangwei, was also likeable i loved him i need a man that wld go thru every world to look for me🤷‍♀️

i honestly didnt expect the reveals and betrayals like i was stunned but it made sense later on. i always enjoy a good well written standalone and this was it!!!

big thank you to netgalley, harpercollins uk, and sue lynn tan for this arc.

4 stars.

as i was reading this book, i wondered at the amount of stars i would give it. i find rating books so difficult sometimes, especially when, as this one, it excelled in certain parts while it lacked in others. so, i just went with my gut and went with four. (though on a different day, i might have gone with less.)

the author certainly has a way with words. she writes beautifully, there is no doubt about that, and i will for sure read her other books (which, i am ashamed to admit, i have not read yet. even though i own the beautiful fairyloot editions, and i should definitely elevate them on my tbr). i also loved this world and its characters. the almost claustrophobic feeling of being in a walled-in city with no escape grasped me as if i were there.

one of the weaker points of this book, to me, was the romance. the dialogue between our fmc and mmc felt forced throughout most of the book, and i just didn't feel it. this should have been a series, so that these characters could have thrived together instead of being thrown at each other. and i *get* that's the whole thing of this book, but it didn't work for me personally. it's the standalone curse, and my love for slowburns, and it's definitely a me-problem, but i can't help but remark on it regardless.

anyways, still a very good book. would i recommend it? absolutely. for its scenery, the writing, the characters. would i read it again? probably not. but i will definitely read the celestial kingdom series.

"To win the God of War's support was wise - to fall in love with him would ruin him"

Oh my, Sue Lynn Tan's books just keep getting better and better. Expect forbidden love, courtly intrigue and a dark and mysterious force about to befall the realm.

Long along Liyen's kingdom pledged to serve the immortals and since then have been cut off from the rest of the world. The alliance with the immortals should safe guard her people, but everything is thrown into the air when her grandfather takes what the immortals queen wants in order to save the life of the his granddaughter. Can Liyen save her people? And will the God of War help her in her quest?

The twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat. The romance WELL, oh my. Is perfection.