I loved this story! Sue Lynn Tan has cemented her position as an auto-buy author in my book. While Immortal is set in the same world as Daughter of the Moon Goddess it is in a different kingdom, with a whole new cast of characters and an entirely different vibe. I found Immortal to have a more serious tone than Tan’s previous work with a great amount of depth. There were so many wonderful nuggets of wisdom and plenty of great quotes to highlight for later. I loved the twists and turns and the beautifully layered slow burn enemies to lovers romance between Liyen and the God of War. I loved Immortal and look forward to the next adventure Tan brings us!

Full Review of Immortal is available on SFFInsiders.com

Set in the beautiful Immortal world of the author's previous books, we are introduced to a new tale with new characters . An earthly kingdom in servitude to an Immortal Queen where the grandfather defies the Immortal Queen and give the give of the immortal lotus plant to cure his cursed and dying granddaughter to cure and save her instead of delivering it to the Queen as ordered. This sets in motion a young girl who must take over the earthly kingdom when her grandfather dies and do her best to protect and save her kingdom. There are dazzling fights with magical creatures and tensions building between Immortals and mortals, with kidnappings, seeming betrayals and magical occurrences. It is a fabulous labyrinth of twist and turns that will leave the reader enchanted and perplexed. This is a wonderful and magical read and will be enjoyed by any who enjoy oriental folklore and fantasy.
I reviewed the-book so was unable to comment on the Deluxe Limited Edition Hardcover. I look forward to seeing it and reading more from this author.

Immortal is such a good book! I loved every second of it!! I had a day off so luckily I could sit and finish it off! The twists and turns were fun, and they made a lot of sense. Everyone's pain was believeable!! I enjoyed the culture and the different worlds that are featured here.

As much as I try not to, there are some books I can’t help but enter with expectations set absurdly high. The higher set, the more eager my anticipation. I just can’t help it! And yes, sometimes those expectations may come crushing down upon the turn of the first page— but sometimes, sometimes they stay epically in flight. Soaring the heights desired. And this one's absolutely the latter.

I had the best time reading Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan. It's whimsical, dreamy, swoony; as well as emotional, angsty, and skin-prickling. I didn’t see some of those twists coming! I gasped, and screamed, and cried, and cheered. This book is one of those rollercoaster of emotions-- and you never want it to end.

Sue Lynn Tan’s prose continues to read like poetry. But it’s more than just pretty words— it’s beautiful sentiment. Oh my goodness, the amount of lines I highlighted! The poetry of her narration and dialogue is truly top notch in this book. It allows easy immersion into the intricate world, it’s like Dorothy entering Oz for the first time: technicolor everywhere! This book came alive.

The world-building is so beautifully constructed and vivid in the mind’s imagination.
The plot is very well paced, and throws in plot twists that will have you gripping the edge of your seat! Some threw me for a loop, and some I foresaw correctly to my endlessly excitement. It’s truly a thrilling read, but also a nerve-wracking one! The stakes are high and they feel it too— with every turn of the page I worried more and more of the fates of all my favorite characters. I held my breath at times reading through the story. All of this allowed me to genuinely engage in this story and continue to feel that full immersion. I cared deeply for these characters.

Liyen is a refreshing protagonist, she is a fallible character, but readily learns. She is soft yet sharp, brash yet resolved, she is a character with evolution. I admired her, I was inspired by her, and I felt proud of her.
She’s prone to mistakes and to stubbornness. In Part I of the book, I wanted her to become more trusting and less judgmental at a faster rate, yet she’s resistant for so long. It admittedly frustrated me, but the narration does something I thought was quite clever in which we’d see Liyen herself regret certain words and actions she’d dealt. And question her own resistance. The reasoning why she ultimately settled to keep her heart close and her mind on guard is absolutely understanding, and that grounded me back to her, rather than rushing to get ahead. Any frustration became fleeting because, yes I’d want her to do this or not say that, but I absolutely understood the why. She is a very vulnerable character, which is always my favorite type. A heroine not made of steel but made of feelings, of softness and of sharpness, of mistakes and of rightness. She is ever flowing and ever growing.

Speaking of which…

At a certain point in her arc, Liyen comes face to face with a pivotal decision, with a need to make a choice, that is a familiar device used in narratives that feature a specific trope too spoilery to mention. This decision is one I initially feared. I don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll leave it as vague as possible. But in these types of scenarios, I feel a character’s essence, as we come to know it, drastically changes. I was so concerned on how it would turn out— I expected what I’m used to seeing in these kinds of scenarios. Instead, Sue Lynn Tan said not so fast. Liyen’s heart, as we know it, remains steadfast, from beginning to ending. I can’t express how much that means to me. That when faced a forked path, she stays true to herself. I can’t elaborate more without delving into spoilers, so instead let me celebrate Liyen for who she is. For growing over the course of her journey, for learning from her mistakes, for becoming more open-minded— and for never compromising who she is to achieve that evolution.

Then there’s the romance…

Zhangwei is 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. I wanted to get to know him and slowly but surely did. Every reveal of his character only increased his magnetism. Without a POV, he is still very much a well developed co-lead. Every page he’s not featured, he’s missed, and that speaks volume for just how appealing his character is.

All of this is the makings of a very competent, well-balanced, and sizzling partner in chemistry to Liyen. He’s her equal even when the balance should be offset: they always seem so perfectly match regardless of perceived differences. Whether it’s an exchange of biting words or charged looks or heart to hearts. They fit in a way they may not want (or do they?) but so undeniably do. Their relationship is not one made without strife, in fact angst features regularly. Their relationship has beautiful chemistry, and plenty of hurdles. Hurdles they will need to face together, hurdles set on an entirely uphill battle. But every step forward is a step earned, a step well fought for, and a step that builds towards a gorgeously worthwhile romance. This is a romance that builds not just on physical attraction, but soul attraction, on emotional, intelligence attraction. It's layered stupendously throughout its development.

I can’t express the number of times I was itching to sneak a peek at the ending, I needed a happily ever after so badly and was scared at the what if there’s not?. I can’t tell you if there is one, but I can say I am so glad I didn’t spoil the ending and that I allowed myself to feel every single emotion that rushed at me as I took this journey truthfully. As I discovered every plot twist, every character evolution, every step in romance taken forward. It made for an incredibly memorable experience.

I do wish there had been an epilogue, I am now desperate for bonus content that gives us an epilogue. I am the type of reader that loves to know know what the future will hold for the characters. Nevertheless, the ending leaves me satisfied (but I will always welcome any additional content, haha!).

I consider this book a masterpiece. I have been so very eagerly anticipating its release and reading this has only increased that anticipation. I now know the wonders within the book and I am so excited to have the physical copy in my hands to feel it in a whole new way. Until then, I carry this one in my heart.

If you love fantastical settings that are intricate yet easily accessible, if you love romances that bring both the angst and triumphs, and if you love protagonists that stay true to themselves to the very end, be sure to check out Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for this complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

I wish there was more foundation to the plot. We're given very little to work with once we've found out the truth. And then in the end it also feels like we're not given enough, especially in terms of character relationships. I also wish for a more convincing romance between her and the god of war... idk, this lowkey reads like it should be a Chinese webnovel...

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the eArc!

🌸✨ Why You NEED to Read Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan ✨🌸

Looking for your next unforgettable read? 📖✨ Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan is an absolute must for fans of mythological fantasy, rich storytelling, and deeply emotional journeys. 💫

This book immerses you in a breathtaking world 🌌 where gods and mortals collide, filled with lush imagery and stunning detail that will sweep you away from the very first page. ✒️📜 Tan’s writing feels like poetry in motion, bringing her intricate world to life and making every moment feel vivid and alive. 🌟

But what truly sets Immortal apart are the characters. 💔 Each one is crafted with incredible depth, facing struggles and choices that will stay with you long after you’ve finished. 🌠 Themes of love, sacrifice, and destiny are woven into the story, creating a tale that’s as thought-provoking as it is heart-wrenching. 💕

If you loved Sue Lynn Tan’s previous works or simply enjoy a beautifully written fantasy steeped in mythology, Immortal is calling your name. 🔮✨ Don’t miss this mesmerizing journey—it’s the kind of book that will leave you breathless and yearning for more. 🌸📚

📖 Preorder now or add it to your TBR—you won’t regret it! 🛒📚

@HarperVoyagerUS @SueLynnTan

Thank you NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

If you love Sue Lynn Tan's Daughter of the Moon Goddess, Immortal is very likely right up your alley. The vibes, writing style, and level of depth of romantic development are similar that fans will find themselves right at home in her latest novel.

This however didn't quite hit for me. The overall plot did not grip me at the very least the way DOTMG did. Given how this is a romantic fantasy, if the romance doesn't work for you, you won't be having an enjoyable time. Despite my boredom at times, it's an easy book to breeze through.

Love and fate intertwine in a romantic return to the world of the Celestial Kingdom. The author’s style works well for the introspective, character-focused narrative, which gives lots of space for Liyen’s thoughts and dilemmas and avoids the quest-forward nature of her last novels. There’s bad first impressions, intimidating auras, meddling monsters, he protec-he attac-he a snac, magical artifacts and places - all in all a successful romance. Sometimes, the pacing or a detail took me out of the story, but in the end I read it all in two days straight and I think that says something.

Look forward to:
- An assertive heroine
- Twisty plot twists
- “You can go anywhere, except the one forbidden room”
- Flowery language

But don’t expect:
- Spice
- Enemies to lovers, in the traditional sense
- 100% intelligent decisions (I seriously question Liyen’s sense of self-preservation)

This book is entirely standalone from the CK duology. I don’t think I would’ve even remembered they were in the same world, if not for mention of the Cloud Wall and the nifty transportation clouds.

Note: I read this as an Arc of unedited files, so some of this feedback may be resolved by the time it is fully published :)

Honestly, I had a hard time getting into this book. I felt like the author was attempting to “throw us into the action” but kept inserting background info in asides that really broke up the action of it all. I think if we had just gotten thrown into the action, then when the characters had more of a space to breathe and reflect, that may have worked better for me. But overall I felt like the timeline and progression of the story was kind of clunky and left me confused more often than not.

I think that this story has a lot of promise and was interesting, but the world building and timeline left some to be desired. I really respect what the author was trying to do. I think a lot of people will love this, but the first few chapters were hard for me to get through/remain interested in. I also had a bit of a hard time feeling connected or emotionally invested the characters, I think that I would have preferred some more character development.

Overall, I think that these changes could (relatively) easily be made to really strengthen this book. With some rework of the first few chapters so it is flowing better, a bit more world building earlier on, and some earlier character development, I would definitely recommend. Without that, I’d say I’m pretty neutral on it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In this romantic fantasy book, Sue Lynn Tan crafts a beautiful story between Liyen, the mortal heir of Tianxia, and the powerful God of War, Lord Zhangwei. After ascending the throne, Liyen vows to free her kingdom from the immortal realm's reign. As she strikes a deal and forms an alliance with the ruthless God of War, she finds herself drawn to him, an attraction she fights hard to resist.

I love the development of the romance between Liyen and Zhangwei-from wariness and hatred to that of love and affection. Their chemistry and banter were so good and had me kicking my feet!

Reading this book felt so much like watching a Chinese drama. I love how much the story explores the complicated relationship between the mortal and immortal realm as well as the "evil" realm of Wuxin, which turned out to be not what it seems.

After I finished reading, I found myself wanting for more, maybe even a bonus chapter of their life together after marriage. I hope to see something like that in the future!

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan is a first person-POV romantic fantasy inspired by Imperial China. Liyen is the granddaughter of the ruler of a mortal kingdom serving directly under the Immortal Realm. When her grandfather defies the Immortal Queen and gives Liyen a magical lotus to heal her, the God of War, Zhangwei, kills her grandfather and sets in motion a chain of events drawing him and Liyen closer together.

There is a kind of Beauty and the Beast vibe going on in the first part between Liyen and Zhangwei. It helps continue to set up the fairy tale/mythology aspects that Sue Lynn Tan is so well-known for, presenting something that Western audiences unfamiliar with Chinese legends could pick up on while also being filled with different creatures and beings that those who grew up with Chinese legends would be familiar with. It is a very fine balancing act and Tan handles it very well.

I loved Liyen and Zhangwei. I’m a big fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope but I’m also so picky. Rivals-to-lovers and annoyed-to-lovers very rarely hit on this trope for me because, when I pick up an enemies-to-lovers, I want to believe that the two could either kill or kiss each other at any given point in time and nobody, including them, knows exactly which one it’s gonna be. Liyen and Zhangwei certainly hit that at different points. I believed that they were enemies as far as Liyen was concerned and was here for her every time she got mad at herself for being attracted to Zhangwei.

I rarely comment on covers, but I have to comment on this one. It does everything I think a cover is supposed to do: tell the reader a story, introduce a character, or, in the case of a romance, the couple, and immediately make the reader go ‘What’s going on here?’ The colors are stunning and the imagery fits other books like it and yet stands out because it’s hitting on more of a hyper-stylization that has a lot of angles and bold lines.

I would recommend this to fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope, readers who love fairy tales looking for a book inspired by Chinese legend, and those looking for a standalone romantic fantasy with strong female characterization

Thank you NetGalley for this arc. I love a good romantasy. And I believe this falls into the category of a great romantasy. It is filled with unexpected twists, enemies to lovers, a fascinating heroine, wonderfully rich world building, and such an epic plot. I loved everything about this story.

Thank you, Harper Voyager and Sue Lynn Tan, for gifting me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

THIS BOOK. I knew going into it that I was excited for more from the world of the Celestial Kingdom. What I didn’t know, was how much I would want to absorb everything and tuck it into my soul. After the ending of The Heart of the Sun Warrior, I feel like this book is exactly what I needed. And the way that it was executed was *flawless*.

Sue Lynn Tan weaves themes of prejudice and division with various archetypes of leaders, to show how the heart of a leader can determine the prosperity of their people. I found the passion and determination of Liyen, as a leader and an individual, to be inspiring. Though her prejudice of the immortals often leads her to make impulsive choices in the moment, she always puts her people first.

The romance between the God of War and Liyen is so painstakingly and beautifully written, that I just kept wanting more of it. The banter and forced proximity perfectly set the stage for their “I’m supposed to hate you, but fell in love with you along the way” journey.

Another plot line that I immensely enjoyed was the existential question of: Who are the true villains? As each side in this eternal battle does not understand the true cause of the other, and as a result views each other as the enemy in their pain.

Of course, all of this would not be nearly as fantastic without Sue Lynn Tan’s talent with imagery. The way she describes the buildings, landscape, and clothing is so vivid that I can clearly envision each part of the scene. It’s such a joy to read a story that is as beautiful as it is full of life. This is definitely a book that I will have on my shelf as a favorite!

I've read and enjoyed three books by Sue Lynn Tan, so I was very excited about Immortal - and it was everything I wanted, and more.
Liyen is the heir to Tianxia, and when she is poisoned, her grandfather decides to use the magical lotus flower he's supposed to give to the Immortal Queen, to save Liyen's life instead. The Immortal Queen and other gods helped Tianxia once, but have now become their rulers and Liyen ascends the throne wanting to free her people from the gods' tyranny.
Of course, this is not easy, especially when some within her court are plotting against her, but then the God of War, Zhangwei, appears, and his connection with Liyen is immediate. They must work together and somehow make sense of the attraction between them, and honestly, you just need to read this.
Sue Lynn Tan's gorgeous prose and brilliant plotting make this another must-have for my library. While Immortal is set in the same Celestial Kingdoms world of her previous books, it can be read on its own. I absolutely loved it.

✨ R E V I E W ✨

Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

PUT 👏🏼 THIS 👏🏼 BOOK 👏🏼 ON 👏🏼 YOUR 👏🏼 TBR 👏🏼 RIGHT 👏🏼 THIS 👏🏼 INSTANT 👏🏼

Holy cow. I just knew I would love Sue Lynn Tan’s Immortal because I love The Celestial Kingdom books so freaking much, but wow. Just wow. I am still thinking about it, more than a week later.

Tan is an absolute MASTER of the enemies to lovers trope and a sweet, sweet slow burn. 🔥 Her characters have so much depth and are downright INSPIRATIONAL. I can’t get over it.

Tan’s writing is absolutely beautiful and gives me chills. I can’t tell y’all how many times I had to just put my kindle down and smile the goofiest smiles. It’s that good. 👏🏼 I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy and pour over the pages once again.

Phenomenal.

Spectacular.

Give me 14 of them right now. 🤌🏼

Thank you so, so much to @harpervoyagerus for sending me an advance digital copy! Immortal is available January 7th!

Solid 4 star!!
Immortal is a standalone romantic fantasy set in the same world as Daughter of the Moon Goddess, but it introduces entirely new characters and can be enjoyed independently of the Celestial Kingdom series, without any spoilers.

At its heart, this story explores the theme of love, delving into the complex relationship between Liyen, a driven ruler, and the God of War, a fierce and relentless figure. Despite their stark differences, both are formidable in their own right—each bearing great burdens, unwavering in their determination, and confronting internal and external battles to bridge the gap between them.

Inspired by elements of Chinese mythology, Immortal follows original characters and weaves a tale of ambition, self-discovery, compassion, vengeance, and the deep ties of family and friendship. It is a journey of personal growth and overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, all set within a richly crafted world.

Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan immerses you in the lush world of Liyen, who has just taken the throne in a moral realm. Immortals are the true rulers who are pulling all the strings. She needs to break free of the immortals’ clutches and keep her kingdom safe. Liyen meets the God of War, Zhangwei, and feels drawn to him in ways she doesn’t understand.

I would recommend this book for romantasy readers who will be satisfied with the enemies to lovers theme and spice in this novel. Romantasy is not my preferred genre, though the romance does not overtake the main plot of the book. The author has a fantastic way of describing the worlds in this book that make you feel immersed in the story.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I adored Sue Lynn Tan's previous duology and was highly anticipating this one, but I'm afraid Immortal missed the mark for me. It's an enemies to lovers romance, but the enemies part feels forced--our main character hates the God of War (the love interest) and blames him for her grandfather's death despite knowing he is not actually responsible for it, a fact which is pointed out multiple times early on. This feels like a case of the trope taking precedence over story, both in the setup and in later plot points--I think this should appeal to lovers of C-dramas and K-dramas who don't mind if the tropes are forced. I hope to match better with future works from the author, as I really did love her first.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

Fantastic world and character building. I loved everything about this book. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

Reading Immortal by @suelynntan felt like being pulled into an epic journey. From the beginning, I was captivated by Liyen—a young woman thrust into leadership who must navigate her kingdom’s complicated ties with the immortals. Her tension-filled relationship with Zhangwei, the God of War, had me hooked. Their slow-burn romance, filled with trust issues and emotional depth, made every interaction feel electric.

I’ll admit, having read Celestial Kingdom Duology first, I knew what the big plot twist would be, but it didn’t lessen the thrill. In fact, watching it unfold and seeing how Liyen and Zhangwei’s relationship developed added even more layers of excitement. Sue Lynn Tan’s writing is absolutely stunning, with vivid world-building that brings this mythological world to life in the most immersive way.

While there were moments that felt a bit drawn out, the payoff was worth it. The ending left me with all sorts of emotions, and I can’t stop thinking about it. If you love fantasy, romance, and complex characters, Immortal is a must-read. This standalone novel will stick with you long after you finish.

What a journey this ARC has been! Thank you so much @avonbooks and @netgalley for letting me read it ahead of time.