i finally finished my first book of january! even though i read this on the 29th of december 2024, paused on the 31st, and proceed on the very first day of january of 2025 (the fact that it's only a day left before the actual release. so that's a relief)

this book took me a week because yes, the world building got me in awe. but the pacing is sooo slow (for me). but despite the slow pacing this book is, i actually kinda enjoy it (even though i hated some of the characters in here)

Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Voyager for the ARC. First book I read in 2025 and so happy that it was a 4.5 star read. If you're looking to read more books by diverse authors PICK THIS BOOK UP. I RECOMMEND IT.

This admittedly is the first book by Sue Lynn Tan that i've read. (her other works are on the list!) As a Chinese American I do love reading stories that involve our culture so I was super excited to read it and damn did Sue Lynn deliver. She does an amazing job balancing world building, plot, and the romance. I find that authors do tend to struggle in that balancing the three. I understand that this takes place in the same world as her other books, but as a new reader I didn't feel lost. I was also not annoyed by the FMC, she's appropriately stubborn and wants the best for everyone and I get it. The MMC, while I wouldn't describe him as "broody" he was definitely an interesting character and the later plot points is an "ahhhh" this is why he is the way he is.

Thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for this advance copy


Here’s my take on this.

At first, I was like, ‘Uh, why is this happening? This doesn’t make any sense. There’s no logical foundation to this, it’s sweet, but I don’t think so.’ But then, I had a sudden realization, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this makes perfect sense!’ But then, I was like, ‘WHY DID YOU DO THAT?! I trusted you!’ And then, I was like, ‘This is so good and amazing!’

So, without giving away any spoilers, I say this:

GO READ IMMORTAL!!

This book was just ok for me. I really love the two Celestial Kingdom novels, but this one didn't have the same physical or emotional world building to reel me in. That said, I did enjoy the overall story and will certainly try out whatever her next book is. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free ARC.

My Thoughts
This was a fantastical story full to the brim with interesting characters, creatures, and lands. Overall I enjoyed it, including the magic, the relationship built between Liyen and the God of War, and the mystery behind Liyen.

Minor spoilers:

The “amnesia” hidden identity piece didn’t quite hit for me. The interactions between Liyen and those that knew her before, prior to the reveal of her hidden identity just feel wrong, knowing who she is to them.

Thank you to the publisher and @netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

this was my first sue lynn tan novel and i was obsessed with the world building, characters, and character development. stunning.

linyen had such an amazing character arc as a someone who is both headstrong and willing to sacrifice herself for her loved ones. i loved following her grow, she just felt so relatable especially in those moments of self-doubt and such. zhangwei is just a misunderstood god of war, like he’s just a guy. there were so many moments between zhangwei and linyen that had me kicking my feet, their love story was beautiful. the banter between all of the characters was such a fun time.

the balance between the smaller moments felt off in comparison to the pacing of the rest of the book, other than the slower start.

this is a standalone in the same universe of the celestial kingdom series (*adding to the tbr*).

✶⋆.˚ thank you netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review ˚.⋆✶

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins publishers for the eARC copy of this book!

This book was so unexpected yet one of the best stories I've read. The main characters are so well written and their connection to each other makes the story a lot more interesting and concise.

My favorite aspect of this book is the way the storytelling is coherent and the plot twists seem natural. It really had me reading until my eyes couldn't stay open.

It has romance in a way that does not exaggerate so it doesn't seem too much or purely a romance book (I say this because I usually don't read romance books because I find them cringey or overwhelming.) But I liked the amount of romance this book has and the dynamics between characters.

As for the main plot, I loved how many questions were answered the more I read. It seemed like it could be part of a series at times but by the end it became more concise and tied up any plot holes.
The ending was nice too, it left me smiling and convinced of what I read.

Overall, this book was an amazing adventure. The writing was beautiful, the characters were well written, and the plot was interesting enough to keep me reading past my bedtime. The descriptions were also an important aspect that helped me enjoy the story as much as I did.

We neeeeever get standalone fantasy books so I was so excited to see this one come up in my Approved list on Netgalley! Liyen, a mortal who suddenly comes into her crown, ends up with something the Immortals want, and along the way crosses the God of War's path. This book had good characters, interesting mortal/immortal dynamics, and the growing relationship between Liyen and the God of War was done well. The pacing lagged a bit in the middle but became action-packed in the last 20% of the book. I haven't read DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS yet, and while this wasn't a standout read for me, I'm interested in picking up more by this author.

I will be the first to say that my recent fantasy reads have been hit or miss, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Immortal is a standalone romantasy book, and that description alone made me nervous as I typically enjoy the intricate plotlines and character development that can be explored when books are part of a fantasy series. While I was still longing for more exploration of the nuances of certain relationships (there is one in particular but this is spoiler-free since I'm writing this review before the publishing date) and felt some chapters stalled a bit in terms of pacing, I was very impressed by how each line of the plot wove into one another.

ZHANGWEI, the man (or immortal if we're being contextually accurate) that you are!! I loved the banter between the FMC and MMC in the beginning of the book - I was literally turning page after page to see what would happen next. I love that Sue Lynn Tan concealed some major plot twists but revealed enough to keep you on your toes and able to guess some of the reveals that would happen in future chapters. Liyen as the FMC was someone I grew to love despite initially being hesitant about her. I felt like she stepped into her own identity (and destiny, you could argue) and solidified my fondness for her character in the second half.

Sue Lynn Tan is such a master of creating beautiful world building inspired by Asian legends, and while we didn't get to explore it as much as in the Celestial Kingdom duology (to be fair, this is a standalone book) I really enjoyed navigating the realms of immortals and mortals. I would say this for me definitely falls into the romantasy category, as the plot is heavily driven by the romance but also dives into the story of Liyen seeking to do what's best for Tianxia. I also appreciated learning about the other characters that were part of this story and how even the smallest of decisions or details could impact the direction of the narrative.

Overall, this was a solid 4.75-5 for me, and I fear anything from Sue Lynn Tan will be an auto buy! I loved this book enough to read it again (and appreciate the details that allow you to appreciate a shift in perspective in the middle of the book). What a great start to 2025!

Sue Lynn Tan’s Immortal is an epic Chinese romantasy novel about the dueling interests between the mortal kingdom of Tianxia and the Celestial Kingdom of the Immortals. The story begins with the heir to the mortal throne, Liyen being poisoned. Her grandfather secretly gives her an antidote, the magical Divine Pearl Lotus, a flower he had been instructed by the immortal Queen of the Golden Desert, Caihong, to harvest for her. Her grandfather then has an encounter with the Immortals and then dies of a pre-existing heart condition, leaving Liyen as the heir to the mortal throne, but that doesn’t stop Liyen from blaming the intimidating God of War for his death. It’s not until the God of War saves her and her companions that her opinion starts to shift and the romance starts brewing.

This is my first ever read from Sue Lynn Tan, and I’m thoroughly impressed and understand the hype! The world-building descriptions of the Celestial Kingdom world of the Immortals versus the mortal kingdom was simply masterful. It’s action-packed, adventurous, epic, and smart. Such a captivating book and reminds me of why I like reading fantasy. Liyen’s defiance and determination to protect herself, rule her kingdom and gain independence from the Immortals, without relenting to the pressure of getting married to hold the throne makes this a great feminist read.

Thank you to Harper Voyage and NetGalley for providing an eARC for review.

2 stars
——————

Despite my best efforts, this was a DNF @ 21%.

I loved Daughter of the Moon Goddess and its sequel, so I was excited to read this one. I could not get myself invested in the story at all. The plot was dragging, the characters are insufferable. In 90 pages, nothing of substance seemed to happen. The entire beginning was rushed. I wanted more backstory to start off the book so I knew where I was going. Instead, it felt like being thrown into a story halfway through with no context. I’m sure it would have made sense later on (I hope), but nothing could get me to care enough to continue. Liyen was selfish and annoying and the God of War was a textbook romantasy MMC.

I’m really disappointed.

Sue Lynn Tan once again enchants readers with Immortal, a breathtaking journey into the Celestial Kingdom universe. From the very first page, I was captivated by the seamless fusion of Chinese mythology and fantasy, creating a vibrant and magical world I wish I could call home.

While fans of Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Heart of the Sun Warrior will find familiar threads, this standalone story welcomes new readers without missing a beat. You don’t need prior knowledge of the series to fall in love with the intricately woven tale of Liyen and the God of War.

Their story is a masterful dance of fate, determination, and love—a testament to the resilience of the heart and the power to shape one’s destiny. Sue Lynn Tan’s lyrical prose brings every emotion to life, and the poignant line, “Welcome back, my beloved,” will linger in my heart long after the final page.

Immortal is everything I hoped for and more—a beautifully crafted tale that reminds us love and courage can overcome even the strongest chains of destiny.

Thank you to Avon/Harper Voyager and Sue Lynn Tann for the eARC! I will be purchasing a physical copy for my collection. 🥰

My first read of 2025 was the stunning upcoming release “Immortal” by Sue Lynn Tan. The first 35% of the book served as a slow build-up, introducing the world and characters. However, after this the twists and relationships began to develop quickly. I loved the romantic writing and the playful banter between the main characters, who oscillated between being hot and cold with each other. I was disappointed that I didn’t have a highlighter, as there were so many quotes I wanted to mark.✨

Sue Lynn Tan is a master in her craft and constantly changing my life with her books. Immortal is beautiful. After reading The Celestial Kingdom books, I was sure that she was going to be an author I loved forever and Immortal made me love her writing even more! I love a good slow burn- Sue Lynn Tan excels at slow burns, especially in Immortal. Her descriptions really make you feel so immersed in the world and like you're standing next to the characters living in the story with them. I'll always recommend Sue Lynn Tan and Immortal.

Thank you harper voyager abd sue lynn tan for an advanced copy of this book.

SUE LYNN TAN DOES IT AGAIN.

Bringing us to the magical world of immortals, building an immersing world, creating in depth characters that capture your heart. Her love stories are epic and poetic and this book is no exception. Showing love that spans across life times, memories, and worlds, Sue Lynn Tan gives us a story that breaks your heart and heals it all in one beautiful journey of self discovery.

Do not skip this one.

First 5 star read of 2025!!!
Wowow Sue Lynn Tan has absolutely outdone herself with Immortal. I knew in my heart by the 60% mark this was going to be 5 stars for me. This was a breathtaking adventure and incredible love story. The beginning and middle of the book had me smiling and kicking my feet with the banter between Liyen and Zhangwei. I am a big fan of Liyen's determination and character development throughout this book. She definitely is someone I would want to rule the country/kingdom.
And boy, once the plot twists started, it just kept coming!! As someone who is usually a passenger princess to those type of things in books, my jaw was on the ground and my mind was absolutely floored. It was all just so well done and well written!

Thank you Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC.

Immortal is such a fun read! Sue Lynn Tan’s writing is so poetic that every time the love interest whispered sweet nothings, I melted. I turned into a puddle and then evaporated from the sheer heat radiating off me. He’s the literal embodiment of "touch her and you die.”

But he isn’t my favorite character. You mean to tell me there are others? YES. Sue Lynn Tan does an incredible job creating characters that feel real, shaped by their motives and upbringing - all of which come through beautifully in their interactions.

It’s no small feat to craft a fantasy world rooted in Chinese mythology with intricate yet accessible world-building, especially in a standalone, but Sue Lynn Tan nailed it. It helps that it’s set in the same universe as the Celestial Kingdom duology. Sure, there were a few plot holes, but the plot twists more than made up for them! The first one had me rattling like a snake - I’m not kidding, I flung myself across the room so dramatically I’m surprised I didn’t shed my skin.

Thank you NetGallery and HarperVoyager for the arc!

📚Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan
💙mf fantasy romance
💙enemies to lovers
💙forced proximity
💙touch her and die
💙slow burn
💙standalone

CWs for loss of a loved one, grief/loss

Story: 4/5
Audiobook: 5/5 (narrated by Natalie Naudus)
Length: 14h26min

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

A huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC in exchange for an honest review🧡

I read Daughter of the Moon Goddess back in September, at which point I immediately fell in love with Sue Lynn Tan’s atmospheric writing and storytelling. I was particularly excited to get my hands on a copy of this book, since I’m always itching to get my hands on a good standalone fantasy romance!

Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan is a standalone fantasy romance novel set in the same world as Daughter of the Moon Goddess, but you don’t need to read The Celestial Kingdom series before diving into this one. This story primarily follows Liyen, heir to Tianxia. Her kingdom is pledged to protect the infamous immortals. This obligation is the result of Tianxia having called upon the immortals for protection against a dangerous foe in the past. When Liyen is on the brink of death as a result of being poisoned, her beloved grandfather steals an enchanted lotus to save her life. This is very significant, as there is only one enchanted lotus in existence. Enraged by this act, the immortal queen commands the God of War to attack Tianxia which ultimately ends with her grandfather’s death. In the aftermath of his death, Liyen ascends the throne with bitterness in her heart and a desire to bring an end to her kingdom’s obligation to the ruthless immortals. When she gets summoned to the Immortal Realm, she does whatever it takes to learn their secrets and find ways to bring about their downfall. This includes forming a tenuous alliance with the God of War…aka the last person she should trust given the havoc he brought down upon her kingdom. What follows is a sweeping tale filled with dangerous secrets, forbidden magic, political intrigue, and love that defies all odds.

I really enjoyed this!! The setting and world building were lush and transportive, to the point I had a hard time putting it down. This book was inspired by Chinese mythology, but Sue Lynn Tan in turn crafted completely unique characters and plotlines. Liyen was such a refreshing and engaging heroine, especially compared to a lot of the more cliche fantasy romance out there right now. She was stubborn, passionate, brash, empathetic, intelligent, and strong. She loved with such abandon and was willing to do whatever it took to protect the people she cared about. She was also flawed in a way that felt so raw and human, which contrasted well with the mysterious immortals.

And can we talk about the romance?! Liyen and Zhangwei were absolutely everything, I loved them to pieces. They were both incredibly strong and grounded in their beliefs, which understandably resulted in them clashing at times, Zhangwei was so obsessed with Liyen, and he let it show in both obvious and subtle ways. I also loved how jealous he would get. He was much more open and vulnerable than what I would expect from a big bad immortal.

The plot itself was incredibly immersive and went in some very interesting directions. While certain plot twists felt a tad predictable, I wasn’t able to anticipate how things ultimately got resolved.

All in all, I really loved this and would highly recommend picking this up when it hits shelves on January 7th!

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager | Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

Did not finish for the following reasons:
- melodramatic writing style
- reading from the FMC's perspective was grating
-- she read like an arrogant, know-it-all, 12 year old
-- the thoughts of the main female character were incredibly black and white lacking all nuance
- there was no chemistry between the love interests from the moment they met

I had issues with the pacing and a confusing plot. It just didn’t flow and make much sense. I wanted to like it. I got SO bored at the end and ended up skimming the end to finish. The cover is stunning though.