ARC review: Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan

 

Title: Immortal

Author: Sue Lynn Tan

Number of Pages: 464

Publishing Date: 7 January 2025

Genre: Fantasy Romance, Mythology, Historical Fiction, Asian Literature, Re-telling, Young-Adult

Synopsis:

“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:

Sue Lynn Tan returns with Immortal, a lush sequel that draws us deeper into the world of Eastern mythology with storytelling as intricate and spellbinding as her debut, Daughter of the Moon Goddess. Immortal is a tale of love, resilience, and destiny, set against a breathtaking mythic landscape that will captivate fans of fantasy and folklore alike.
Immortal follows the journey of Liyen as she confronts trials that test not only her strength but the core of her very identity. While Liyen’s earlier journey was fraught with danger and discovery, Immortal explores the emotional complexity of power, love, and loss on a whole new level. As her ties to the celestial realm deepen, Liyen faces new challenges that blur the line between duty and desire, loyalty and freedom.

What I Loved:

Sue Lynn Tan’s world-building is once again exceptional. She crafts realms that feel both dreamlike and tangible, using rich descriptions that transport the reader into a vivid tapestry of gods, dragons, and magic. Linyen’s character continues to grow with depth and nuance, making her feel even more relatable as she grapples with both personal desires and obligations that could shape the future of her world. The tension and chemistry between Linyen and Zhangwei from the start to the end is plausible.
Tan’s prose in Immortal flows with an elegance and sophistication that match the mythic tone of her narrative, weaving together not just action and intrigue but tender moments of vulnerability that make the characters feel profoundly human. This story doesn’t just rely on its fantasy elements; at its heart, Immortal is about the courage it takes to choose your path in a world that often tries to define it for you.

Themes and Impact:

Immortal explores themes of fate, loyalty, and self-discovery, betrayal and undying love, giving readers much to ponder about the choices we make and the sacrifices we’re willing to endure for those we love. Tan has a way of exploring these themes subtly yet impactfully, drawing parallels between myth and our own human experience. It’s a tale that urges us to seek our own strength while respecting the forces that shape us.
Immortal is an enchanting follow-up that will satisfy fans of Daughter of the Moon Goddess while inviting new readers into its richly woven story. If you’re a fan of lyrical, myth-inspired fantasy or just looking for a story with a strong, resilient protagonist, Immortal is a must-read. Sue Lynn Tan continues to prove she’s a master of weaving mythology and emotion into a seamless narrative that’s both heartfelt and exhilarating.
Be prepared to be swept away into a world where myths come to life and choices shape destinies.