This was a fun political wuxia esque romance that focuses on a young princess who ends up accidentally consuming a lotus meant for immortals, and the God of War who meets her at every turn. It's fun to get to see Tan actually be able to write out a sex scene and not just flirting and tension, and to actually sit with the political games that are played out here. Fun read, definitely worth your time come January.

I devoured this book - it was so good! Very well written, amazing world building and characters, fantastic depth. I realized after reading that Immortal is set in the same world as Daughter of the Moon Goddess, although I'm not sure where they fall in relation to each other. I've not yet read Daughter of the Moon Goddess (although it has just moved much higher on my TBR!) and did not feel as though it in any way diminished my reading experience to start with Immortal. This is a book and world which I can tell will still be on my brain for quite some time.

This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

Sue Lynn Tan writes extremely vibrant Asian Romantasy books. Paired with such stunning prose, I understand why SLT’s books are a hit for most people. I could honestly imagine this as a xianxia feature film, with the immortal heroes and action scenes.

However, I do think that the pacing was a real struggle for me and the main character and love interest were overly self-indulgent. Marketed as enemies to lovers, this book couldn’t have been further from the trope. They were only enemies to lovers in her own mind and once she got past her own made up aversion for what she perceived to be his character flaws (after like a week, mind you), the romance spiraled into a corny, cheezy, and very awkward haze of i-would-die-for-you-blah-blah, which happened 20% in, at which point I lost all interest in them as a couple. The MMC was basically ruled by his attraction to her, and his character arc based solely on her while she remained quite bratty, spineless, and disrespectful until all of the book’s plot points came together magically perfect at the end.

I hoped for more tension, more buildup, more mature well-developed characters and character arcs, and romantic dialogue that was written for more than to be quoted in merch.

I was given this as an ARC from Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. This book was a roller coaster of a ride. Mortals vs immortals. This book is a fantasy romance book. When Liyen's grandfathers dies, she is thrown into a cascade of hiding a lotus flower that only her grandfather was able to retract and its powers from the gods. Her grandfather gave her the flower because she was poisoned and he wanted to save her.
While his death suspicious Liyen delves into the underworld to dig deeper into the Gods. She wants to learn more information about her grandfather and the lotus flowers and what is the extent of The lotus flower and its powers. Along the way, she develops feelings for the God of War and he develops forbidden feelings as well.
When it is found out she has the lotus flower it is taken from her from a person she thought she could trust. How could they do this, will she get it back, will she trust The God of War, and more importantly what secrets does she find out.

Liyen is the lady of the land, and she will do anything to protect her people and release them from the service of the Queen of the Golden Desert.

Liyen forges her own path forward, one not even the Mirror of Destiny could forsee.

The writing and world build was so immersive. I'm not a huge fantasy/romantasy girlie but I really enjoyed this story so much.

Thank you to netgalley and Sue Lynn Tan for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for my honest opinion.

Immortal is a standalone read. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did! I really enjoyed the writing style. Sue Lynn Tan is a new author for me. I have her other books, but I haven’t gotten to them yet. I will now!

This book weaves the story of Liyen, the lady of Tainxia, and her story of trying to save her kingdom from the wrath of the immortals. In trying to save her kingdom after her grandfather’s sacrifice, she meets the God of War and becomes entwined in a complicated world of desire, magic, politics, and war.

There is more going on than meets the eye, and it’s through Liyen’s POV that we slowly uncover the mysteries around these characters and what’s really going on below the surface. The character building is fantastic, and I really annoyed the array of personalities with humans, immortals, and various other creatures in the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what else comes from Sue Lynn Tan! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC opportunity - I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“A great pity that it was easier to hate than it was to understand.”

Listen, if you can’t draw some parallels in this book to real life… I don’t know what to tell you.

The themes and messages in this book left me feeling hopeful? And I want to believe that was the intent, to show through Liyen that there are always opportunities to learn and improve on yourself.

In terms of story structure, this book feels like 3 separate stories all following Liyen and Zhangwei and the journey they go on. I actually don’t hate it although it definitely felt weird while reading.

I will say, the one star I docked was because this book really didn’t grab me until the 30% mark when we finished up part 1 and started part 2. I do think part 1 was to set up a lot of story lines and plot points, but I was really struggling to understand the characters and their motivations for the first third of the book.

Parts 2 and 3? Gripping, amazing, pieces were clicking together in my brain. I really enjoyed reading the last 2/3 of this book.

I would recommend this one, just push through the beginning is the advice I would give.

WORKED FOR ME.

Fantasy standalones and I don’t always see eye to eye. I did go with the audiobook route and that was the click for me. I loved the audiobook and keeping it at the pace that I do helped me move through the story.

Yes, there’s a few plot quirks and I would have loved more of the relationship background BUT for a standalone this delivered. I love love love wild twists and plot moments I didn’t see coming. This had good reveals and I thought the unveiling of the story was executed well.

The romance was heated and swoony. I loved the connection between Liyen and the God of War. Perfectly timed tension and the build had my full attention. The lore was beautiful and I just can’t get enough of SLT’s writing style. It’s magnetic and the audiobook narrator brought everything to life.

Another gorgeous story that I loved reading.

Overall audience notes:

Fantasy Romance
Language: low
Romance: fade to black
Violence: moderate

3.5 rounded up.

It was good, but nowhere near as great as DOTMG for me. There were things I enjoyed, but honestly a lot of it confused me. I never fully understood the different groups of people and their lore. I never felt a big connection to the MC or her perspectives. It was fun to read another book by her, but this one might have been too hyped in my head or my expectations too high.

It is pretty slow and the big twist was fun, but I think it should have been 150 pages shorter. I wanted to skim a lot of it.

Wonderful storytelling and narration. I fell in love with the characters immediately. Tan writes with a style that carries you along adventures and action while still keeping a tender sensation. In the midst of war and trickery, you begin to care for characters you thought you wouldn't. I loved the underlying message of justification and revenge, I'll recommend it to many!

Omg where to start, I went into this book thinking that it was going to be a duology but instead is a stand alone. But it no matter the book was so good the story flow perfectly as it is.

The world was so beautiful and with very vivid descriptions. The first half of the book concentrates more in the romance between Liyen and Zhangwei and the second half concentrates more in the politics of this book the romance is there but not a heavy as first half.

Zhangwei The God of War was just so perfect 😍 he is the very definition of the Trope “he fell first” no matter what happened he was always right behind Leyin though at the beginning there was this scene about something that he did that made me mad but later it was explained the why. I didn’t see coming the plot twist and I loved it. I enjoy so much when a book surprises me!!

Liyen had an amazing growth as a character and she is the perfect heroine. She started as a really weak character but as time when she became stronger. Her choices always were the right ones and I’’m glad for that.

The writing style of this story is beautiful I highlighted so many good quotes. Sue Lynn Tan has become one of my favorite authors.

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for review. My opinions are my own.

5/5 stars

I looooove all of Sue Lynn Tan’s books and this did not disappoint. If I had the time, I would have finished this in a day, but work got in the way.

I was first introduced to Sue Lynn Tan because my mom bought me “Daughter of the Moon Goddess” for Christmas. “Immortal” is set in the same world. The characters are not the same but there are some things you will pick up on if you are a fan of the duology…

At any rate… this is an epic love story (and I do not use the word “epic” lightly because it is a vastly overused word). You will be sucked in and won’t be able to put it down.

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc! 🫶🏻

Sue Lynn Tan’s world building and character development is unparalleled. I have yet to come across an author that literally makes me feel like I’m watching a movie in my mind while balancing the amount of details so it doesn’t feel like a drag.

This standalone book, set in the same universe as “Daughter of the Moon Goddess,” is just as beautiful, heart-wrenching, and packed with stunning cultural references.

While my usual fantasy preference has a bit more spice, I will never skip a Sue Lynn Tan novel ✨

Beautiful and atmospheric, by far my favorite read of the year. I would happily read 100 more books in this world. Sue Lynn Tan has a way of drawing in readers into this world and taking them on a wild ride. Will be buying multiple editions of this book.

ya'll... this one was a 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 one. immortal follows liyen as she ascends the throne of tianxia, vowing to end her kingdom’s obligation to the immortals, and finds herself forming a tenuous alliance with the god of war. and let me tell you... this 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 had me audibly screaming and giggling and blushing because 𝘰𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘥 do i adore them. the first quarter or so was slower for me, but i was 𝘴𝘰 invested once i got past that point. i'm so excited to claim a physical copy of this for my shelves because this gem deserves a spot on every bookshelf. love love 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 mr. god of war. oop. (4.5★)

“Without you, dawn would be dark”

LOVED this book (which isn’t surprising because I adored Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Heart of the Sun Warrior). The characters and the plot (and its twists) were amazing - truly everything I expected and loved. I cannot wait to get a physical copy of this book so that I can read it again on its publication date!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this incredible book!

This story had the potential to be a really great addition to Sue Lynn Tan's series. However, the magic she normally brings just didn't Ignite here. The book was simple in areas when her prose and detail should have been seen. In other areas, it was far too detailed when it needed simplicity. The two main characters felt like we had seen them many times before, creating a damper on a what could have been, great story line. The twists were seen before they arrived because we have read them before. They weren't written differently than any other trope. I had higher hopes for this book. It felt manufactured than written. I'm very surprised.

The first half of the book was drawn out and felt mismatched. The second had more purpose and tried to change the feelings of the first half but just couldn't carry the entirety on its back.

I rated it a 3 because it still had merits and was a decent fantasy book.

THE WORLD BUILDING!!!!

I really liked that this is a stand alone book, although set in the same world as her other. This book is a mix of romance, fantasy and some political intrigue. The writing was beautiful and made me want to keep reading.

I'm a sucker for a good enemies to lover + forbidden romance 😍

This book drew me all the way in. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher.

Sue Lynn Tan does it again. Her ability to paint the most beautifully worlds using nothing but words will always have me reaching for her next book. Taking place in the same world as Daughter of the Mood Goddess, it isn't surprising that Immortal offers the same vibes as her previous series. I was concerned at first that the story lines were a bit similar (love interest deceiving the main character), but Immortal took on a story of its own as Liyen's background was revealed. It was refreshing to read a stand alone fantasy, knowing that the entire story was sitting in my lap and I didn't have to worry about what kind of cliffhanger I would be left with. I thoroughly enjoyed the sparring between Liyen and Zhangwei. I also appreciated the way Tan went about showing different kinds of love and how endless a parent's love for their child can be, even when that child is evil.

A beautifully written, heavy on descriptions, tale of love and longing. I love xianxia style fantasy romance, so this was right up my ally.

That said, there's a couple of things. The FMC Liyen annoyed me fof a chunk of the book. I understood her in the beginning. But just when we are supposed to believe she is falling in love with Zhangwei and trusting him, she takes a dozen steps back. Of course, after several times of tricking him, she finally allows herself to be vulnerable. Zhangwei is obviously keeping secrets, but he's plead with her to trust him. To really trust him. And with how powerful he is as an immortal, Liyen should have. I really liked how he didn't give upon her.

I loved the twists and how Liyen ends up connected to it all. (And I won't spoil it.)

I said the prose was beautiful. The other problem is that it is soo heavy on the descriptions that it was almost to the point of distraction. Especially in a first person story.

This story also has some spicy scenes that fade to black.

That said, I did enjoy this story, so that's the bottom line. Sue Lynn Tan is one of my favorite authors,

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. I'm so happy I got to read this early.