Thank you to the author, narrator, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-audio version of this title.

I wanted to love this book, but just - didn't. This is the story of a love story between a mortal heir and the immortal God of War, a delicious forbidden romance, right? It was kind of - blah. The setting was vibrant, but lacking. The romance development was rushed, and - blah. The swoon-worthy romance scenes were missing - something. Dialogues were boring, and I was left wanting the rest of the story.

2 stars for - it was ok

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I was pretty iffy in the first part as I found the whole plan to hide what her grandfather did to be a little too direct of a setup moment for her needing to converse with the immortals. However, I think with the reveals I really came around to enjoying the premise and whole storyline with the lotus! Honestly the storyline and reveals were really well done. I think the political setup both in the 3 kingdoms and between the kingdoms was very well described and something quite interesting that I personally haven’t seen a ton. I loved the plot point of helping one kingdom would always hurt another kingdom. I also loved the discussion on how hard it was for our main character to “choose a side” especially as her main goal was to protect mortals in a world that doesn’t care for keeping morals safe. I was honestly so shocked about quite a few of them and they jumpstarted my interest in this book a lot even try time I reached a very cool/unexpected twist (which was pretty often!).

However, the love story in this book was not my favorite… which is really tough because most of the storyline really revolves around believing those two characters belong together (and I just did not really understand/enjoy the insta-love/fated mates trope). They loved each other long before I comprehended why they would even tolerate each other and that made it difficult for me. BUT… I thought the ending with them was quite cute. It may have taken me a VERY long time for me to warm up to the relationship, but in the end all the amazing plot reveals kept me going and I ended up appreciating both the plot and relationship by the climax.

First of all, the cover is incredible and gorgeous! I think that Sue Lynn Tan does such a good job of worldbuilding and combining folklore to create her stories.

Honestly, phenomenal!

First of all I LOVE that this is a standalone romantic fantasy novel because I'm not waiting on a cliffhanger for the next year. The worldbuilding is so well done and descriptive, I never found myself confused or lacking for detail and the politics are complex but explained fully and easy to follow. I was fully immersed in this story from start to finish and really struggled to put it down.

I loved the God of War, Zhangwei, even when I didn't like him thanks to a couple questionable actions when they're enemies. He's strong, protective, and even when he's surly he gave very steady, genuinely GOOD vibes. Plus we love a man who will burn the world for his love. Liyen is such a strong, bad*ass FMC which perfectly balances her MMC and I love that they're both so dedicated to protecting their people. She's smart, witty, used to being underestimated, and very strong of character even before she's physically strong thanks to the Divine Pearl Lotus. I loved seeing her growth, and the tension from her struggling with her growing feelings for the God of War had me reading as fast as possible to get to the point where she would give in to her love for him! Both MCs are also super sassy and entertaining, so the banter is superb. Honestly, there's banter all around from basically everyone so if that's a key factor you look for, get ready.

The story starts off a bit slow but that's to be expected as the background/history needs to be built up, especially since it's a standalone, so I really didn't mind. And while it felt a bit slow, there was still a lot going on to keep you interested. I loved the development of the romance between Liyen and Zhangwei and the secrets we learn along the way. All I'll say on that is that situations can look very different depending on the perspective and to expect many twists.

The side characters are also super developed and interesting, I liked seeing how each of them grew as well while still focusing mainly on Liyen's development and Zhangwei. I think what really made this book so good to me was how on Liyen's journey, she is so focused on what's right but begins to learn that things don't look the same to each person and how every story has many sides. She goes from seeing only black and white to understanding there are many grays and that the heroes and villains are different depending on who's telling/hearing the story. It also emphasizes how important history is to the present and learning to not judge too harshly. The are so many morals to the story but even if you don't want to read too deeply into it, it's still a beautifully written romantic fantasy that will keep you engaged until the very end.

One of the biggest benefits of reading this one is everything will make sense at the end since it is a standalone. Some books I read and do truly enjoy but they don't stay with me or pull me in too deeply, but this book really etched itself onto my brain and heart and I'm so happy I read it!

I also had the audio for this one, which I honestly love to listen to as I'm reading so I can accurately read/pronounce the names of people and places created by the author. The audio definitely adds a little something extra to the experience especially for fantasy books and I highly recommend listening either while also reading the physical book or alone if you prefer audiobooks. The narrator, Natalie Naudus, does a fantastic job with this story, truly bringing the world of Immortal to life. Her voice is clear and engaging, the pacing is perfect, and I typically listen at 2x speed, so she's still super easy to listen to at that pace.

If you're a fantasy, romance, or romantasy reader, with a fondness for enemies to lovers and magic, you'll definitely want to check this one out!

Thank you Harper Voyager and HarperAudio for the eARC and eALC respectively, which I have voluntarily read/listened to in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperAudio, and Sue Lynn Tan for the advanced listening copy of Immortal in exchange for an honest review.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess and Heart of the Sun Warrior are two of my favorite mythological fantasies and I was beyond excited to return to their world in this new standalone novel by Sue Lynn Tan. I was not disappointed at all. This book was full of the same magic that made me fall in love with her other novels. There was just the right amount of tension between the FMC and the MMC, and even though it felt like there was a little bit of insta-love on the part of Zhangwei (the MMC), I loved reading their story.

I really enjoyed the narration of the audiobook. Natalie Naudus is one of my favorite narrators and she did an amazing job portraying all the characters and conveying such a wide range of emotions.

There were unpredictable twists and enough banter to keep me engaged, even through some of the slower plot moments. I definitely recommend this book and I cannot wait to see what Sue Lynn Tan puts out next.

Unfortunately, Sue Lynn Tan’s Immortal is a read that will not stick out for me. There were definitely high points in this fantasy, but at times the book came to a lull. I found it difficult to become engaged with the book at multiple moments throughout. There wasn’t really anything in that book that hooked me.

There were parts that I did enjoy! I think this book will work for other people, but it just didn’t work for me. I did not DNF, and I do willingly DNF, so there were redeeming qualities. I enjoyed the universe a lot, and reading this book has convinced me that I should give Daughter of the Moon Goddess a try!

I listened to this book as an audiobook, and I did enjoy the narration.

Thank you HarperAudio Adult and Netgalley for the ARC!

4.5⭐️ Adventure, plotting, immortals, people struggling to survive, a love story, lost family, subterfuge, all this and more is in this book. This kept me connected all the way through and I can’t wait to read her duology set in this world. You definitely do not need to read that first to feel fully immersed in this story.
Thank you indigo for the physical arc and NetGalley for the audio arc. The audio was very good.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio for the eAudiobook ARC! Immortal is another sweeping, romantic fantasy from Sue Lynn Tan (Daughter of the Moon Goddess). Liyen is made to ascend the throne when her grandfather sacrifies his life for hers. Liyen finds herself travelling to the immortal realm to uncover hidden truths and free humankind from their oppresive rule. But once there, Liyen finds herself drawn to the God of War. Though she feels she should hate him most of all, he is not like the stories say. A fabulous adventure with a deep love story at its core. Fans of Tan's Daugther of the Moon Goddess should love Immortal. The audiobook only adds to the story as Natalie Naudus's narration pulls the listener in and breathes life into each character.

4.25 stars

Ok I really enjoyed this one! The narrator was incredible! I loved following along with my eyes as well though connecting how to say names and with the spelling! I’m such a fan of mythology and Sue just writes it all so well!

I loved returning to the Celestial Kingdom world. This one is a complete seperate standalone though! There were so many twists and turns that blew my mind, and gah! I loved Zhangwei so much! I loved him and Liyen together. They had wonderful chemistry and banter!

I loved how everything connected and the stuff that kind of didn’t make sense in the beginning all came together. It was such a great fantasy romance!

3.5⭐ rounded up to 4.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record: I have mixed feelings about this one as well! I thought about DNF’ing about 30% in, because it felt like a total rehashing of tired popular tropes, and I couldn’t stand the FMC (she reminded me of Diem Bellator, which is NOT a good thing). Some unexpected plot twists and reveals piqued my interest halfway through the book, and I enjoyed the second half. I’m giving this book 4 stars mostly for the writing, the unexpected plot twists, and the fast-paced second half. However, I really feel like the twists and reveals should have happened sooner---my mind was already made up about the book once I got to it. I loved the political intrigue and meddling gods, the strong influence of mythology, the high stakes, and the frequent pearls of wisdom, but I just couldn’t stand the FMC or root for her and the MMC. Also, character development that comes from regained memories is *not* true character development. Liyen sucked until the end, there I said it.

The audio version was great, but the voice actor mixed up character voices more than once, and that made some dialogues confusing.

❤️ The second half
❤️ Flowy, poetic, and evocative writing style
❤️ Pearls of wisdom
❤️ Unexpected plot twists
❤️ Stunning cover
❌ The first half
❌ Confrontational and rude FMC
❌ FMC/MMC relationship dynamic
❌ Rehashed popular tropes
❌ Lack of character development
❌ Info dumps

Tropes to expect: enemies to lovers, stuck in another world, amnesia, the chosen one, burn the world for her, betrayals and heartache, big reveals.

Trigger warnings: violence, death and grief, amnesia, war, kidnapping and confinement, torture, injury and injury detail, blood and gore, war, misogyny, toxic relationship, gaslighting.

Natalie Naudus is one of my favorite narrrators, and it's an easy borrow/add whenever I see her narrating a book. And the fact that she narrated one of my fave duologies of all time (DOTM/HOTSW) is a huge plus. This was one of my most anticipated reads and it did not disappoint. While I didn't love it as much as I did The Celestial Kingdom duology, I did love this all on its own. Sue always writes such good banter between the leads, and the tension in this one!!! The world-building was exquisite and magical. The romance superb. <3

🐉 "Immortal" by Sue Lynn Tan: 🐉

This audiobook is a thrilling blend of action, adventure, and romance, all steeped in the rich tapestry of Chinese mythology. Prepare to be swept away by a fast-paced plot, unexpected twists, and a captivating love story.

While the names might take a moment to grasp (a common challenge with audiobooks, especially those with unfamiliar terms!), the story itself is easy to follow and utterly captivating. The steamy, closed-door scenes are reminiscent of old Chinese movies, adding a touch of classic romance to the adventure.

Narrator Natalie Naudus delivers a stellar performance! Her inflection is perfect, she distinguishes voices with ease, and her pacing keeps you hooked. The audio quality is top-notch, making this a truly immersive listening experience.

✨ Perfect for: ✨

Fans of Chinese mythology and historical fantasy 🐉
Those who enjoy action-packed adventures with a touch of romance ❤️
Listeners who appreciate strong female characters 💪
Anyone who loves a good dose of mystery and intrigue 🤫

#Immortal #SueLynnTan #NatalieNaudus #Audiobook #ChineseMythology #HistoricalFantasy #Romance #Adventure #StrongFemaleLead #Bookstagram #BookReview #MustListen

Sue Lynn Tan’s enchanting romantic fantasy, Immortal, transports you to a magical world akin to The Daughter of the Moon Goddess. It combines political intrigue, intricate magic, and a spellbinding love story. Natalie Naudus narrates this audiobook expertly, making it a must-listen.

I loved the narrator of this audiobook because the narration really brought the Sue Lynn Tan's fictional world to life.

First and foremost, I was absolutely drawn to this book because of the gorgeous cover art. The colors and flow of design are incredibly aesthetically pleasing to me. Once I really got into the story, I was pretty hooked. It is a bit slower in the beginning but I found it picks up pretty quickly once establishing most of the groundwork we, the reader, needs.

Liyen must become the heir to the throne after his grandfather's death. However, before he passed, he saved her life by sharing a sacred flower with her which was intended for the Gods of their land. She is determined to severe her kingdom's ties with the immortals and their selfish ways. And she works to try and learn all the secrets she can to use as weapons against the gods. However, there is significant attraction between Liyen and the God of War, who Liyen blames for her grandfather's passing.

Liyen is a fierce, determined leader for her people as well as in her own right. She is strong and stubborn, and sassy but she also has a bit of a habit of brow-beating The God of War, Zhangwei.

I enjoyed this romantasy, and found the world rich and engaging. I think I need to read Daughter of the Moon Goddess next since it seems this one fits into the same world but is a stand alone.

Thanks to HarperAudio for the gifted audiobook!

IMMORTAL by Sue Lynn Tan is a riveting standalone(!!!) romantasy. Sue does an amazing job with worldbuilding that includes gods, kingdoms, political intrigue, battles, and a forbidden romance. This book really has it all! I loved the MMC - the God of War, Zhangwei - as soon as he entered the book. He and Liyen had instant sparks, and I love how their relationship developed over the course of the book. If you loved her Celestial Kingdoms series and are looking for more celestial romance, this book is for you.

I have been wanting to experience Sue Lynn Tan’s writing and was so excited to see this new book of hers pop up on NetGalley. I was immediately gripped by the plight of the main character Liyen, and the story was full of twists and turns while it explored family relationships and politics. While at times the pacing felt awkward and I almost wished it was longer to fully flesh out some of the character relationships, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it! Natalie Nardaus does a WONDERFUL narration as well.

Thank you HarperAudio Adult for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Audio for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 rounded up. Immortal tells not only a sweeping love story full of longing, but also an epic battle between mortals and gods rife with political intrigue, battles, fantastical creatures and beings, all set in a lovely chinese mythological setting. It does have a bit of a slow start, but the payoff is worth it! It is a beautifully written and well-balanced romantasy, and the narration was fantastic! This is my first book by Sue Lynn Tan, and I immediately put her other books on my priority TBR.

If you love romantasy, you will not want to miss this book!

This is not my usual genre, and it started very traditional romantasy. However, the further into the story you dive, the more expansive the world, the plot, and the main character get. I thought I knew where the story was going, but I was very wrong.

Some of the writing felt simplistic, but I found that to be part of the charm of this book. If you are a fan of "True love conquers all" and strong female characters, then this book is for you.

The narrator of the audiobook was very good, but I didn't connect with her voice.

Overall, this was an intriguing romantasy with a lot of unexpected twists and turns.

This book was really good and thought provoking. It held the appeal and gravitas of a mythical story but still felt applicable to modern issues of grief, family, and the struggles of figuring out who you are. All themes that transcend time but are highlighted beautifully in this story.

Immortal reminded me of The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh but with characters who are slightly older, and the whole book was set in a world of a myth making it more immersive.