Review: Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan

*I received an advance reading copy of this book from Frenzy Books in exchange for an honest review.

Immortal

by Sue Lynn Tan

January 7, 2025

Goodreads Summary:

A stunning, standalone romantic fantasy filled with dangerous secrets, forbidden magic, and passion, of a young ruler who fights to protect her kingdom, from bestselling author Sue Lynn Tan and set in the breathtaking world of Daughter of the Moon Goddess.

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

As the heir to Tianxia, Liyen knows she must ascend the throne and renew her kingdom’s pledge to serve the immortals who once protected them from a vicious enemy. But when she is poisoned, Liyen’s grandfather steals an enchanted lotus to save her life. Enraged at his betrayal, the immortal queen commands the powerful God of War to attack Tianxia.

Upon her grandfather’s death, Liyen ascends a precarious throne, vowing to end her kingdom’s obligation to the immortals. When she is summoned to the Immortal Realm, she seizes the opportunity to learn their secrets and to form a tenuous alliance to safeguard her people, all with the one she should fear and mistrust the most: the ruthless God of War. As they are drawn together, a treacherous attraction ignites between them—one she has to resist, to not endanger all she is fighting for.

But with darker forces closing in around them, and her kingdom plunged into peril, Liyen must risk everything to save her people from an unspeakable fate, even if it means forging a dangerous bond with the immortal… even if it means losing her heart.

Review

Immortal is such a romantic and moving love story! It's a tale that spans much more than the naked eye can see. I'm not kidding when I say Immortal was full of momentous events that either made me swoon or shocked me.

In a dreamlike world filled with immense power, Immortal is an emotional story about survival. “Alliance change, priorities shift, intentions are thwarted with ease.” (arc, p. 56). I fell hard for Ms. Sue Lynn Tan's beautiful writing. The worlds sounded incredible and the characters radiated feelings. "Anger and vengeance struck outward, while the wounds of grief remained within.” (arc p. 396). Every moment felt so visceral.

Liyen, our headstrong and courageous heroine met her match in Zhangwei, the almighty God of War. At the beginning of Immortal they were definitely not allies but also not quite enemies either. “Without trust, promises were just words strung together- easily broken.” (arc, p. 194). It was so satisfying watching Liyen go toe to toe with Zhangwei. I cheered for both of them especially when discoveries were made ;) Their meeting left many lives forever changed.

With wise and relatable words, Liyen and Zhangwei's story is one that'll stay with me for a long long time. I want to finish sharing my thoughts on Immortal with some (more) positively illuminating quotes:

“Maybe we were all monsters inside, waiting to be unleashed once pushed too far.” (arc, p. 126)

“Heroes are not born but made through their choices.” (arc, p. 207)

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the copy I received.