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Celestial Cataclysms #1
Immortal Connections
A new Immortal has risen... and with him, the fate of all the realms hangs in the balance.
Long Wu Ying has ascended to the Heavens, fulfilling the ultimate dream of all cultivators. However, the heavens are not all that it seems, and his vow to raise his lover to the realms of immortality conflicts with the Jade Palace’s rules.
In the Middle Kingdom, the fracturing of an empire echoes across the kingdoms. As states rush to fill the power vacuum, war-weary armies march with little food, weakened by years of drought. Wu Ying’s mortal friends are caught in the middle of the conflict. As leaders among cultivators and within their sect, they must do what they can to hold the world together and carry on without their closest ally.
When chaos consumes the realms above and below, even the greatest cultivators must surrender to the winds of fate.
Immortal Connections is the first book in Celestial Cataclysms, the new epic xianxia fantasy series by Tao Wong. Taking place in the same world as A Thousand Li, it delves into realms old and new, making it perfect for longtime fans and first-time readers alike.
Long Wu Ying has ascended to the Heavens, fulfilling the ultimate dream of all cultivators. However, the heavens are not all that it seems, and his vow to raise his lover to the realms of immortality conflicts with the Jade Palace’s rules.
In the Middle Kingdom, the fracturing of an empire echoes across the kingdoms. As states rush to fill the power vacuum, war-weary armies march with little food, weakened by years of drought. Wu Ying’s mortal friends are caught in the middle of the conflict. As leaders among cultivators and within their sect, they must do what they can to hold the world together and carry on without their closest ally.
When chaos consumes the realms above and below, even the greatest cultivators must surrender to the winds of fate.
Immortal Connections is the first book in Celestial Cataclysms, the new epic xianxia fantasy series by Tao Wong. Taking place in the same world as A Thousand Li, it delves into realms old and new, making it perfect for longtime fans and first-time readers alike.
1137 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2026
About the author
Tao Wong
150 books1,022 followersTao Wong is the author of the A Thousand Li progression fantasy series and the System Apocalypse LitRPG series, among others. His work has been released in audio, paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats, and translated into German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and several other languages. He was shortlisted for the UK Kindle Storyteller Award in 2021 for A Thousand Li: The Second Sect. In 2026, the first three books in the A Thousand Li series will be republished in hardcover by Ace Books.
When he’s not writing or working, he enjoys practicing martial arts, reading, and dreaming up new worlds. He lives in Toronto, Canada.
When he’s not writing or working, he enjoys practicing martial arts, reading, and dreaming up new worlds. He lives in Toronto, Canada.
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April 29, 2026Welcome to the Celestial Cataclysms universe, which really is just an extension of my A Thousand Li series. Those of you coming from A Thousand Li might realize there's less discussion about power progression, even if there is some aspects of it. Part of that is because this is really an epic fantasy, told over nine books and what looks like a few million words.
I've never written an epic fantasy before, so I had a lot of help from editors to get it right. There's a lot of POVs to keep track of, but they're all going to be rather important as things go along.
I'm also going to try to be more intentional about who shows up, their place in the story and try not to leave as many characters behind. I'll still do that, to some extent, as characters introduced in one section might not follow; but I'll do my best to draw many back.
For those who know me, I'm writing this in a series of trilogy arc, with a massive storyline arc over it all. I'm hoping, for those new to the world, you'll be just as invested as my older fans. There's a giant story to be told, and a lot of words to write; but I'm committed to finishing it - no matter what.
Thank you all for joining me on this journey and I look forward to seeing you in the next book.
Want to read a bonus epilogue and see art for the series? Find them all here: https://www.mylifemytao.com/ccbonus/
I've never written an epic fantasy before, so I had a lot of help from editors to get it right. There's a lot of POVs to keep track of, but they're all going to be rather important as things go along.
I'm also going to try to be more intentional about who shows up, their place in the story and try not to leave as many characters behind. I'll still do that, to some extent, as characters introduced in one section might not follow; but I'll do my best to draw many back.
For those who know me, I'm writing this in a series of trilogy arc, with a massive storyline arc over it all. I'm hoping, for those new to the world, you'll be just as invested as my older fans. There's a giant story to be told, and a lot of words to write; but I'm committed to finishing it - no matter what.
Thank you all for joining me on this journey and I look forward to seeing you in the next book.
Want to read a bonus epilogue and see art for the series? Find them all here: https://www.mylifemytao.com/ccbonus/
May 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC/ARC.
DNF at 34% (which, don't be fooled, I listened to more than 10 hours - not sure how much that is in pages as the NetGalley reader doesn't have page numbers - of this. This book is just endlessly long.)
"But why does this get 3 stars if you DNF'ed it?" Because it didn't, like, suck. It was just marketed badly as the first part of a series when it is very clearly the first part of a SPINOFF of ANOTHER series. There's context, worldbuilding, character introductions etc. that you can tell the reader is supposed to already be familiar with but they really aren't unless they've read the previous series, which has TWELVE MAIN BOOKS plus a bunch of sub-books?? Idk what to call them, but the ones that get numbered 0.1, 0.4, 2.5 etc on Goodreads, each of which is also like. long. 500+ pages from what I've gathered. There is NO summary, introduction or anything of the sort in this book. You are just thrown into a world that the author has fleshed out, again, in TWELVE PREVIOUS MASSIVE FANTASY TOMES, and you aren't given any pointer. There's concepts discussed that are familiar to people familiar with Chinese philosophy, such as the Dao, but still, you can't really tell how the author uses them in this specific novel.
There's also a bunch of different characters and POVs and again, you have no idea who any of these people are, but they know who they are. There's dynamics happening that leave you bamboozled. There's also rules to the world that leave you bamboozled. A lot of stuff that leaves you bamboozled. And I think this missing context is why it felt like nothing important happened in the first TEN!!!!!!!! hours of this book - there are some tests and stuff, but you don't really understand their significance because you don't know how this world works!
Specific to the audio, the fact that this book had so many perspectives but only one narrator made it even more difficult to follow. There's only so many girl voices a male narrator can do before the characters start all sounding the same, and while the number of possible boy voices is slightly higher, there is also a finite number of boy voices a narrator can do. This narrator ran out of distinct voices pretty quickly, because there's just so. many. characters. However, the same issue persists in writing, because while you do see the characters' names, you kind of lose track of who's who as the author doesn't go and introduce the characters anew, as the assumption is that we, the readers, already know them.
This still gets 3 stars because it has potential and I can imagine that reading it is a lot more enjoyable if you've read the previous series. Usually, when I request a book and notice it's part of a series, I then go and try to also read the rest of the series first to be fair in my review, but that simply wasn't happening this time. I have a life, too, and no time for 10000 pages of epic fantasy just to read another 900 pages of epic fantasy. I am begging the publisher to please not market this as a new, separate series. Please. The reader will be so confused about everything.
DNF at 34% (which, don't be fooled, I listened to more than 10 hours - not sure how much that is in pages as the NetGalley reader doesn't have page numbers - of this. This book is just endlessly long.)
"But why does this get 3 stars if you DNF'ed it?" Because it didn't, like, suck. It was just marketed badly as the first part of a series when it is very clearly the first part of a SPINOFF of ANOTHER series. There's context, worldbuilding, character introductions etc. that you can tell the reader is supposed to already be familiar with but they really aren't unless they've read the previous series, which has TWELVE MAIN BOOKS plus a bunch of sub-books?? Idk what to call them, but the ones that get numbered 0.1, 0.4, 2.5 etc on Goodreads, each of which is also like. long. 500+ pages from what I've gathered. There is NO summary, introduction or anything of the sort in this book. You are just thrown into a world that the author has fleshed out, again, in TWELVE PREVIOUS MASSIVE FANTASY TOMES, and you aren't given any pointer. There's concepts discussed that are familiar to people familiar with Chinese philosophy, such as the Dao, but still, you can't really tell how the author uses them in this specific novel.
There's also a bunch of different characters and POVs and again, you have no idea who any of these people are, but they know who they are. There's dynamics happening that leave you bamboozled. There's also rules to the world that leave you bamboozled. A lot of stuff that leaves you bamboozled. And I think this missing context is why it felt like nothing important happened in the first TEN!!!!!!!! hours of this book - there are some tests and stuff, but you don't really understand their significance because you don't know how this world works!
Specific to the audio, the fact that this book had so many perspectives but only one narrator made it even more difficult to follow. There's only so many girl voices a male narrator can do before the characters start all sounding the same, and while the number of possible boy voices is slightly higher, there is also a finite number of boy voices a narrator can do. This narrator ran out of distinct voices pretty quickly, because there's just so. many. characters. However, the same issue persists in writing, because while you do see the characters' names, you kind of lose track of who's who as the author doesn't go and introduce the characters anew, as the assumption is that we, the readers, already know them.
This still gets 3 stars because it has potential and I can imagine that reading it is a lot more enjoyable if you've read the previous series. Usually, when I request a book and notice it's part of a series, I then go and try to also read the rest of the series first to be fair in my review, but that simply wasn't happening this time. I have a life, too, and no time for 10000 pages of epic fantasy just to read another 900 pages of epic fantasy. I am begging the publisher to please not market this as a new, separate series. Please. The reader will be so confused about everything.
May 2, 2026
Immortal Connections by Tao Wong is a compelling and richly layered entry in the xianxia fantasy genre, particularly rewarding for someone like me who enjoys the tone and themes of wuxia dramas.
The novel follows Wu Ying after his ascension to immortality, where he quickly discovers that the Heavens are governed by rigid laws and complex politics rather than freedom. As the mortal world descends into conflict in his absence, he is forced to confront a central tension: uphold celestial law or protect those he left behind.
Wong effectively balances expansive worldbuilding of spanning celestial hierarchies, cultivation systems, and political structures with a grounded emotional core. The contrast between immortal duty and personal loyalty adds depth and resonance throughout.
While the pacing can be dense at times (expected for the first novel of a story of this scope), attentive readers are reward with a thoughtful, immersive experience. Overall, Immortal Connections is an excellent start to a larger saga, well suited to fans of introspective, character-driven epic fantasy and wuxia-inspired storytelling.
Thank you Tao Wong, Starlit Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
The novel follows Wu Ying after his ascension to immortality, where he quickly discovers that the Heavens are governed by rigid laws and complex politics rather than freedom. As the mortal world descends into conflict in his absence, he is forced to confront a central tension: uphold celestial law or protect those he left behind.
Wong effectively balances expansive worldbuilding of spanning celestial hierarchies, cultivation systems, and political structures with a grounded emotional core. The contrast between immortal duty and personal loyalty adds depth and resonance throughout.
While the pacing can be dense at times (expected for the first novel of a story of this scope), attentive readers are reward with a thoughtful, immersive experience. Overall, Immortal Connections is an excellent start to a larger saga, well suited to fans of introspective, character-driven epic fantasy and wuxia-inspired storytelling.
Thank you Tao Wong, Starlit Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
May 10, 2026
Honestly, this should have been the style from the start. A bit slow, still kinda lacking a real villain, but it does have a clear goal. Story was strong, characters better developed, action was great. It actually made me excited for the series again.
May 26, 2026
2026
Fantasy
Review: Weird writing style. The explanations of the surrounding realities are vague and expressed in terms that only an "Immortal" can understand. Nice cover art.
Weak Chi'ed Wu, is a soy boy that loves jellied tofu. He is oh so put upon as an immortal by the Jade Emporer, the sole power in the heavenly realm. Wu Ying Yang is gayer than a three dollar bill, as he likes putting on makeup and swinging his hips when he walks. The author bends Wu often enough that you question his love for a woman when his inclinations go the other way.
Although the story line is way different than the one I outlined, this had an expansive feel attributed to the descriptives set upon the heavenly realms. Where this lacked, and perhaps it was lost in translation, were the depths of characterization. The focus is bound within esoteric ideas with derived outcomes (ascending) without process. When most have these awesome abilities that vary in terms of cultivation / Dao / following Dao / manipulating and gathering Chi, they just become words that lack a substantive base. Most fantasy novels have their own version of magic that is either believable or not, based on how fantastical (no limits) and grounded the focus.
I set this booky down as a DNF, then picked it back up. This novel grows on you so much that you look forward to the various perspective shifts and story lines. Yang Mu's chapters are boring as fuk. Skimming these until you get back to Tao He and Wu are recommended.
4.2//5
I received this ARC because I started rating all my Netgalley (liars) reviews, 5 stars.
Fantasy
Review: Weird writing style. The explanations of the surrounding realities are vague and expressed in terms that only an "Immortal" can understand. Nice cover art.
Weak Chi'ed Wu, is a soy boy that loves jellied tofu. He is oh so put upon as an immortal by the Jade Emporer, the sole power in the heavenly realm. Wu Ying Yang is gayer than a three dollar bill, as he likes putting on makeup and swinging his hips when he walks. The author bends Wu often enough that you question his love for a woman when his inclinations go the other way.
Although the story line is way different than the one I outlined, this had an expansive feel attributed to the descriptives set upon the heavenly realms. Where this lacked, and perhaps it was lost in translation, were the depths of characterization. The focus is bound within esoteric ideas with derived outcomes (ascending) without process. When most have these awesome abilities that vary in terms of cultivation / Dao / following Dao / manipulating and gathering Chi, they just become words that lack a substantive base. Most fantasy novels have their own version of magic that is either believable or not, based on how fantastical (no limits) and grounded the focus.
I set this booky down as a DNF, then picked it back up. This novel grows on you so much that you look forward to the various perspective shifts and story lines. Yang Mu's chapters are boring as fuk. Skimming these until you get back to Tao He and Wu are recommended.
4.2//5
I received this ARC because I started rating all my Netgalley (liars) reviews, 5 stars.
May 10, 2026
Wow. This is a major epic fantasy in every single sense. Multiple character POVs, different realms, celestial politics, and a scope that just keeps expanding the further you get into it. The world-building is incredible and the ambition behind this first book is genuinely impressive.
That said, I have to be honest, it is very slow and very long and it asked a lot of me as a reader. Incredibly rich, insanely layered, and I couldn't always keep my attention anchored to it. This is the kind of book that rewards patience but also requires a pretty significant investment upfront, and not every reader is going to have that in them.
If you enjoy introspective cultivation fantasy and slow burning character arcs, this is absolutely for you. It's fascinating and nuanced and the audiobook narrator is a perfect match for the material. Seriously, he elevated the whole experience.
Just go in knowing what you're signing up for.
Thanks so much to the author and R&R Booktours for the complimentary ALC. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
That said, I have to be honest, it is very slow and very long and it asked a lot of me as a reader. Incredibly rich, insanely layered, and I couldn't always keep my attention anchored to it. This is the kind of book that rewards patience but also requires a pretty significant investment upfront, and not every reader is going to have that in them.
If you enjoy introspective cultivation fantasy and slow burning character arcs, this is absolutely for you. It's fascinating and nuanced and the audiobook narrator is a perfect match for the material. Seriously, he elevated the whole experience.
Just go in knowing what you're signing up for.
Thanks so much to the author and R&R Booktours for the complimentary ALC. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
May 3, 2026
I had a really good time with Immortal Connections. This is one of those epic fantasy reads that pulls you in fast and makes it very clear the story is about to get BIG.
The worldbuilding is honestly the standout here. You’ve got celestial hierarchies, multiple dimensions, cultivation systems, and a growing conflict across realms and it all feels expansive without being overwhelming. I especially loved how the story balances what’s happening in the heavens with everything falling apart in the mortal world. It makes every choice feel like it actually matters.
Wu Ying is such a solid main character. He’s caught between duty and the people he loves, and that tension really drives the story. The reunited lovers element adds another layer to that, especially with the rules of the heavens working against him.
The multiple POVs worked really well for me too. They give you a wider view of the chaos and make the multi-realm war feel much bigger than just one storyline.
There are moments where the pacing feels a little dense with lore, but it also makes sense for a story of this scale. You can tell this is setting up something much larger.
Overall, this is a really strong start to the series. If you like xianxia fantasy with layered worldbuilding, high stakes, and multiple perspectives, this is definitely worth picking up.
The worldbuilding is honestly the standout here. You’ve got celestial hierarchies, multiple dimensions, cultivation systems, and a growing conflict across realms and it all feels expansive without being overwhelming. I especially loved how the story balances what’s happening in the heavens with everything falling apart in the mortal world. It makes every choice feel like it actually matters.
Wu Ying is such a solid main character. He’s caught between duty and the people he loves, and that tension really drives the story. The reunited lovers element adds another layer to that, especially with the rules of the heavens working against him.
The multiple POVs worked really well for me too. They give you a wider view of the chaos and make the multi-realm war feel much bigger than just one storyline.
There are moments where the pacing feels a little dense with lore, but it also makes sense for a story of this scale. You can tell this is setting up something much larger.
Overall, this is a really strong start to the series. If you like xianxia fantasy with layered worldbuilding, high stakes, and multiple perspectives, this is definitely worth picking up.
August 12, 2026
it’s a total vibe for anyone obsessed with xianxia and progression fantasy. the plot follows long wu ying who finally levels up enough to ascend to the heavens, which should be a major flex, right? but instead, he’s immediately stressing over strict jade palace rules because he promised to make his lover immortal too, and the divine bureaucracy is absolutely not having it. meanwhile, the middle kingdom back home is completely falling apart with droughts and wars, leaving his mortal squad to defend the empire without their literal MVP..
honestly, the book is such a binge-worthy ride. the world-building is incredibly deep and watching wu ying navigate high-stakes heavenly politics while his friends fight for survival on the ground keeps you completely hooked. it’s the perfect mix of high-tier cultivation drama and emotional stakes that will leave you lowkey obsessed and screaming for book two.
honestly, the book is such a binge-worthy ride. the world-building is incredibly deep and watching wu ying navigate high-stakes heavenly politics while his friends fight for survival on the ground keeps you completely hooked. it’s the perfect mix of high-tier cultivation drama and emotional stakes that will leave you lowkey obsessed and screaming for book two.
Did Not Finish
May 18, 2026Thank you NetGalley and Starlit Publishing for the ARC of this book.
I wanted to like this book so much, but it wasn't for me. I felt like I was dropped into a world that already had the world building done and I was just going to try and put together the pieces. That, combined with the 30 hours that this audiobook was, made it a daunting task.
I can't say I retained a single thing, but also found the writing to be done well?
I'll definitely try another book by this author in the future
I wanted to like this book so much, but it wasn't for me. I felt like I was dropped into a world that already had the world building done and I was just going to try and put together the pieces. That, combined with the 30 hours that this audiobook was, made it a daunting task.
I can't say I retained a single thing, but also found the writing to be done well?
I'll definitely try another book by this author in the future
June 6, 2026
Much to Long...
I have liked the series up until this one. This book could have been broken up into at least three novels with each character as a main focus; in that you could ignore or read the individual novels. Could have made more money that way. I did a lot of page skipping since my interests was with the original MC and eventually just skipped to the end.
I have liked the series up until this one. This book could have been broken up into at least three novels with each character as a main focus; in that you could ignore or read the individual novels. Could have made more money that way. I did a lot of page skipping since my interests was with the original MC and eventually just skipped to the end.
June 9, 2026
Immortal Connections is a promising, albeit flawed, start to what looks to be an excellent follow-up to A Thousand Li.
Off the bat, as the author has himself stated, this book is not nearly as focused on 'progression' as the previous series was - at least when it comes to the cultivation/magic system aspect. Fortunately, the philosophical and moral progression which made A Thousand Li stand out among its peers is not only present in Immortal Connections but seems to be one of the main focuses. The nuggets of introspection, Chinese philosophy, and reflection littered throughout were, in my opinion, the highlights of the book. However, the change in approach between this new series and the old one does come with some drawbacks - namely, the balance of all the different POV characters. I don't think that the transitions and pacing regarding the various points of view were handled with the grace required to make something like this work at the level it needs to for a book this size. Perspectives are handled very unevenly throughout and often changed at climactic spots in an attempt to heighten suspense that only ends up jarring the reader out of the moment. Characters that get maybe one or two chapters per every hundred pages suddenly become the main focus of the book for long stretches of time - there's about a few hundred page stretch near the climax where arguably the main lead is almost completely absent, which feels like a very easy pacing fix. I agree with the necessity of expanding the POV but the execution left a bit to be desired.
Speaking of pacing, this book is...interesting, structurally. One of the issues with the POV swapping is due to how little any of them intersect; combined with how unevenly they are distributed, this book feels more like several different novels/vignettes stitched together into a final product that, while (somewhat) united thematically in the climax, would probably be better off had there been one less side-plot crammed in. However, I don't really mind this approach that much. My favorite book in the previous series, The Third Realm, was essentially a bunch of short stories strung together by thematic links. Tao Wong is at his best when he meanders - while this book didn't quite hit the mark for me as much as The Third Realm did, due I think to sluggish pacing at the start and again that awkward distribution of POV chapters, I still quite enjoyed the reading process as a whole.
Overall, Immortal Connections is better than I thought it would be going in. While there are certainly some growing pains here, on the whole Tao Wong manages to successfully open the door to what has a very good chance to be a series that matches or even exceeds A Thousand Li, while still keeping the core of what made that series so good. It's not my favorite book of the year, but it has, at least for now, successfully gotten me onboard.
3.5/5.
Off the bat, as the author has himself stated, this book is not nearly as focused on 'progression' as the previous series was - at least when it comes to the cultivation/magic system aspect. Fortunately, the philosophical and moral progression which made A Thousand Li stand out among its peers is not only present in Immortal Connections but seems to be one of the main focuses. The nuggets of introspection, Chinese philosophy, and reflection littered throughout were, in my opinion, the highlights of the book. However, the change in approach between this new series and the old one does come with some drawbacks - namely, the balance of all the different POV characters. I don't think that the transitions and pacing regarding the various points of view were handled with the grace required to make something like this work at the level it needs to for a book this size. Perspectives are handled very unevenly throughout and often changed at climactic spots in an attempt to heighten suspense that only ends up jarring the reader out of the moment. Characters that get maybe one or two chapters per every hundred pages suddenly become the main focus of the book for long stretches of time - there's about a few hundred page stretch near the climax where arguably the main lead is almost completely absent, which feels like a very easy pacing fix. I agree with the necessity of expanding the POV but the execution left a bit to be desired.
Speaking of pacing, this book is...interesting, structurally. One of the issues with the POV swapping is due to how little any of them intersect; combined with how unevenly they are distributed, this book feels more like several different novels/vignettes stitched together into a final product that, while (somewhat) united thematically in the climax, would probably be better off had there been one less side-plot crammed in. However, I don't really mind this approach that much. My favorite book in the previous series, The Third Realm, was essentially a bunch of short stories strung together by thematic links. Tao Wong is at his best when he meanders - while this book didn't quite hit the mark for me as much as The Third Realm did, due I think to sluggish pacing at the start and again that awkward distribution of POV chapters, I still quite enjoyed the reading process as a whole.
Overall, Immortal Connections is better than I thought it would be going in. While there are certainly some growing pains here, on the whole Tao Wong manages to successfully open the door to what has a very good chance to be a series that matches or even exceeds A Thousand Li, while still keeping the core of what made that series so good. It's not my favorite book of the year, but it has, at least for now, successfully gotten me onboard.
3.5/5.
June 14, 2026
This is my first xianxia book. It's very different to a western book, in style, pacing and characters.
I enjoyed it, but I not sure I could have manged this as a physical book over the audiobook I listened to. It let me keep with the flow, even in chapters that felt almost filler. There were chapters where mere 'in book' seconds passed, when the chapter was all about the internal thoughts and a couple of fighting moves. It felt, at times, like a tv show, some large episode count and sometimes there were just filler, character moments that didn't actually progress the main story.
There was a lot here that felt like it could have been cut, but I'm very aware I'm coming at this from a Western viewpoint. I also struggled to connect with any of the characters emotionally, because this was a book about spirituality, about ascending. The mortals in this book are trying to become immortal, aloof, 'other' and the immortals... well. They have to be alien, to show how different they are. It meant while I cared about the world moving around them, I couldn't really feel too strongly about any of the people within it - aside from the Buddhist Monk who was my favourite, his whole plot was great. (apologises, as I listened to it, I have no idea how to spell any of the names outside of Wu Ying's.)
There were multiple main plots running throughout it, the newly immortal looking for find aid for his still mortal lover, she trying to protect her family and the middle kingdom, and the monk who ended up fighting for demons. There were also plenty of minor plots, and outside of the monk, the characters I found most interesting were the ones who were left behind after a while, such as Long Wu Ying's 'mentor' in the palace, or the boy bandit he rescued. I hope we see them in book two, as their journeys do not seem over.
The narrator did the best he could, but a solo narrator for a book as epic and wide spanning as this, just doesn't feel like the best choice. There are simply too many characters for one person, and the voices started to blend together until I completely lost track of who was who. Which isn't solely his fault, again, this is an epic book (30 odd hours as an audio, no idea how many pages that is.) It felt too big by the end of it, and I don't know how common that is in a xianxia.
When it comes to Book Two, I really, really hope that it starts with a recap, because far too much happened in this sweeping book to be able to remember it all clearly by then. I don't think this is a genre that I would enjoy long term, but I feel invested enough in the plot of this world, if not the characters, to want to know what happens next.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
I enjoyed it, but I not sure I could have manged this as a physical book over the audiobook I listened to. It let me keep with the flow, even in chapters that felt almost filler. There were chapters where mere 'in book' seconds passed, when the chapter was all about the internal thoughts and a couple of fighting moves. It felt, at times, like a tv show, some large episode count and sometimes there were just filler, character moments that didn't actually progress the main story.
There was a lot here that felt like it could have been cut, but I'm very aware I'm coming at this from a Western viewpoint. I also struggled to connect with any of the characters emotionally, because this was a book about spirituality, about ascending. The mortals in this book are trying to become immortal, aloof, 'other' and the immortals... well. They have to be alien, to show how different they are. It meant while I cared about the world moving around them, I couldn't really feel too strongly about any of the people within it - aside from the Buddhist Monk who was my favourite, his whole plot was great. (apologises, as I listened to it, I have no idea how to spell any of the names outside of Wu Ying's.)
There were multiple main plots running throughout it, the newly immortal looking for find aid for his still mortal lover, she trying to protect her family and the middle kingdom, and the monk who ended up fighting for demons. There were also plenty of minor plots, and outside of the monk, the characters I found most interesting were the ones who were left behind after a while, such as Long Wu Ying's 'mentor' in the palace, or the boy bandit he rescued. I hope we see them in book two, as their journeys do not seem over.
The narrator did the best he could, but a solo narrator for a book as epic and wide spanning as this, just doesn't feel like the best choice. There are simply too many characters for one person, and the voices started to blend together until I completely lost track of who was who. Which isn't solely his fault, again, this is an epic book (30 odd hours as an audio, no idea how many pages that is.) It felt too big by the end of it, and I don't know how common that is in a xianxia.
When it comes to Book Two, I really, really hope that it starts with a recap, because far too much happened in this sweeping book to be able to remember it all clearly by then. I don't think this is a genre that I would enjoy long term, but I feel invested enough in the plot of this world, if not the characters, to want to know what happens next.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ambitious, thoughtful, and quietly compelling
Imagine achieving immortality at last, only to realize the Heavens are no freer than the mortal world you left behind, just more structured, more political, and even more bound by rigid laws. Meanwhile, the mortal realm begins to fracture in your absence, slipping into war and chaos. You are forced to act quickly to save the people you love, yet face a devastating restriction: it is forbidden to interfere with someone’s ascension to immortality. This sets the stage for constant conflict between celestial law and personal loyalty, where every decision comes at a cost. Do you obey Heaven’s rules, or risk everything to protect those who matter most?
This is not a love story in the traditional sense, though it is deeply emotional. Its core is more existential than romantic. Love is not spoken but revealed through choices, sacrifices, and the quiet understanding of what is lost when one becomes something beyond human.
The worldbuilding is exceptional. The mortal realm feels alive with tension, as kingdoms, sects, clans, and empires vie relentlessly for power. Bloodlines and inherited techniques shape destinies, while shifting alliances keep the political landscape unstable and unpredictable.
Above it all, the heavenly realm mirrors a vast bureaucratic empire, complete with ranks, titles, duties, and strict hierarchies. Immortality offers no true freedom but a different kind of obligation. Beyond both realms, something even more ancient and enigmatic stirs, hinting at cosmic imbalance and a looming catastrophe. It suggests that immortality is not the end, but only a threshold.
Immortal Connections is dense and richly layered, often diving into systems, philosophy, and long-form exposition. Wong asks for patience and attention, and readers looking for fast-paced, action-heavy fantasy may find the pacing challenging. Still, there is a quiet pull to it—an accumulating depth that lingers long after reading.
Overall, Immortal Connections is best suited for readers who enjoy introspective cultivation fantasy, intricate worldbuilding, and slow-burning character arcs. It serves as a strong opening to a larger saga, and one that stays with you after the final page.
Imagine achieving immortality at last, only to realize the Heavens are no freer than the mortal world you left behind, just more structured, more political, and even more bound by rigid laws. Meanwhile, the mortal realm begins to fracture in your absence, slipping into war and chaos. You are forced to act quickly to save the people you love, yet face a devastating restriction: it is forbidden to interfere with someone’s ascension to immortality. This sets the stage for constant conflict between celestial law and personal loyalty, where every decision comes at a cost. Do you obey Heaven’s rules, or risk everything to protect those who matter most?
This is not a love story in the traditional sense, though it is deeply emotional. Its core is more existential than romantic. Love is not spoken but revealed through choices, sacrifices, and the quiet understanding of what is lost when one becomes something beyond human.
The worldbuilding is exceptional. The mortal realm feels alive with tension, as kingdoms, sects, clans, and empires vie relentlessly for power. Bloodlines and inherited techniques shape destinies, while shifting alliances keep the political landscape unstable and unpredictable.
Above it all, the heavenly realm mirrors a vast bureaucratic empire, complete with ranks, titles, duties, and strict hierarchies. Immortality offers no true freedom but a different kind of obligation. Beyond both realms, something even more ancient and enigmatic stirs, hinting at cosmic imbalance and a looming catastrophe. It suggests that immortality is not the end, but only a threshold.
Immortal Connections is dense and richly layered, often diving into systems, philosophy, and long-form exposition. Wong asks for patience and attention, and readers looking for fast-paced, action-heavy fantasy may find the pacing challenging. Still, there is a quiet pull to it—an accumulating depth that lingers long after reading.
Overall, Immortal Connections is best suited for readers who enjoy introspective cultivation fantasy, intricate worldbuilding, and slow-burning character arcs. It serves as a strong opening to a larger saga, and one that stays with you after the final page.
Read
June 13, 2026Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I DNF'd Immortal Connections at around 20%, which is something I rarely do.
The biggest issue for me is that this book is marketed as a standalone/start of a new series, but it simply doesn't read like one. I spent roughly 200 pages waiting for the story to really begin, only to find the main character philosophising, training after ascending, and reflecting on ideas that never managed to hold my interest. Very little actually happens.
I also struggled with Tao Wong's writing style. It isn't bad writing, and I can see why existing fans of this world might enjoy it, but it just doesn't work for me. There are constant references to people, places, and past events that are never properly explained. The book often assumes a level of familiarity that I simply didn't have.
After becoming increasingly frustrated, I looked online and discovered that the author himself has described this as a continuation of the world established in his previous series—an extension of over twenty books' worth of story. That revelation made my experience make a lot more sense. The book feels as though you're expected to already know these characters and historical events because they inform the motivations and emotional weight of what's happening now. As a new reader, I felt like I had missed an enormous amount of context.
That's what ultimately drove me to put it down. This isn't a case of a poorly built world or incompetent writing. In fact, the setting seems interesting. But for a book presented as a standalone, I found it inaccessible, slow, and overly focused on philosophical musings and training sequences instead of giving new readers a compelling story to latch onto.
If you're already invested in Tao Wong's larger universe, you may have a very different experience. But if you're picking this up expecting a true standalone entry point, I'd recommend going in with caution.
I DNF'd Immortal Connections at around 20%, which is something I rarely do.
The biggest issue for me is that this book is marketed as a standalone/start of a new series, but it simply doesn't read like one. I spent roughly 200 pages waiting for the story to really begin, only to find the main character philosophising, training after ascending, and reflecting on ideas that never managed to hold my interest. Very little actually happens.
I also struggled with Tao Wong's writing style. It isn't bad writing, and I can see why existing fans of this world might enjoy it, but it just doesn't work for me. There are constant references to people, places, and past events that are never properly explained. The book often assumes a level of familiarity that I simply didn't have.
After becoming increasingly frustrated, I looked online and discovered that the author himself has described this as a continuation of the world established in his previous series—an extension of over twenty books' worth of story. That revelation made my experience make a lot more sense. The book feels as though you're expected to already know these characters and historical events because they inform the motivations and emotional weight of what's happening now. As a new reader, I felt like I had missed an enormous amount of context.
That's what ultimately drove me to put it down. This isn't a case of a poorly built world or incompetent writing. In fact, the setting seems interesting. But for a book presented as a standalone, I found it inaccessible, slow, and overly focused on philosophical musings and training sequences instead of giving new readers a compelling story to latch onto.
If you're already invested in Tao Wong's larger universe, you may have a very different experience. But if you're picking this up expecting a true standalone entry point, I'd recommend going in with caution.
May 4, 2026
This is a complex and sometimes dense (so much info) tale of a man, ascended to the Heavens after much tribulation and fighting in the Middle Kingdom, just to realize that the Heavens might be having its own issues, even among the immortals and lets not forget the demon realms! That would be quite a bummer and so it is quite understandable what Long Wu Ying does as he cannot stand by and follow the strict rules which keep everything the same.
This is a good start to what will be a complex Saga with all the realms in disarray and immortals and mortals battling. Not all of the fighting is for destruction, many group just want safety and peace. So you have lots of people fighting to protect, and help with their cultivations, even the demons which I thought was an interesting addition and got invested in that storyline. And though it took a bit to get into this, especially when the fighting pauses to discuss why someone's level is higher and so the attack is not effective, it was helpful to a point, though I still think a tiny bit of that could have been shortened to keep the story flowing smoother.
That being said, I did get invested in the characters (mostly the rebels, not the immortals tracking Wu Ying down because he is forging his own path, instead of following tradition) and I would definitely want to listen to the next book to see how Wu Ying, his companion, and others change all the realms.
This audiobook was well done, and I am impressed with Tim Lounibos, for all the different voices he used to bring this beast of a book to life. Many thanks to Starlit Publishing for giving me the chance to listen to this.
This is a good start to what will be a complex Saga with all the realms in disarray and immortals and mortals battling. Not all of the fighting is for destruction, many group just want safety and peace. So you have lots of people fighting to protect, and help with their cultivations, even the demons which I thought was an interesting addition and got invested in that storyline. And though it took a bit to get into this, especially when the fighting pauses to discuss why someone's level is higher and so the attack is not effective, it was helpful to a point, though I still think a tiny bit of that could have been shortened to keep the story flowing smoother.
That being said, I did get invested in the characters (mostly the rebels, not the immortals tracking Wu Ying down because he is forging his own path, instead of following tradition) and I would definitely want to listen to the next book to see how Wu Ying, his companion, and others change all the realms.
This audiobook was well done, and I am impressed with Tim Lounibos, for all the different voices he used to bring this beast of a book to life. Many thanks to Starlit Publishing for giving me the chance to listen to this.
August 14, 2026
A thousand Li is S-tier for me, so I am very excited about this series.
I'm going to leave it at four stars for now (which for my rankings is still for fantastic, re-readible books), but after learning that this is going to be an entire nine-book epic... I expect that that rating will probably increase to five once I get into the other books. While I was reading it, I thought it was going to be a two-book series (something like a victory lap for Wu Ying), and it felt a little slow and unfocused. At the end, when I learned it was going to be a true epic fantasy spanning nine huge books, suddenly the pacing and the details that went into seemingly relatively unimportant characters made a lot more sense. I wish I had known that going in because I think it was expecting the same pacing of A Thousand Li that made this feel slow and meandering.
And the more I think about it, the more I think that shift makes a lot of sense. So many good series in progression fantasy start to get boring after six or twelve books. It's just impossible to keep up a blistering, progression-fueled pace forever without eventually making everything feel meaningless. Wong's idea to shift things to flow more like an epic fantasy seems brilliant the more I think about it.
Keeping the same beloved characters, but letting the progression take a small step back in order to let character development and story drive things more... Yeah, I'm really excited to see where this goes.
I recommend reading A Thousand Li first because it will make this series more enjoyable, and A Thousand Li is incredible.
I'm going to leave it at four stars for now (which for my rankings is still for fantastic, re-readible books), but after learning that this is going to be an entire nine-book epic... I expect that that rating will probably increase to five once I get into the other books. While I was reading it, I thought it was going to be a two-book series (something like a victory lap for Wu Ying), and it felt a little slow and unfocused. At the end, when I learned it was going to be a true epic fantasy spanning nine huge books, suddenly the pacing and the details that went into seemingly relatively unimportant characters made a lot more sense. I wish I had known that going in because I think it was expecting the same pacing of A Thousand Li that made this feel slow and meandering.
And the more I think about it, the more I think that shift makes a lot of sense. So many good series in progression fantasy start to get boring after six or twelve books. It's just impossible to keep up a blistering, progression-fueled pace forever without eventually making everything feel meaningless. Wong's idea to shift things to flow more like an epic fantasy seems brilliant the more I think about it.
Keeping the same beloved characters, but letting the progression take a small step back in order to let character development and story drive things more... Yeah, I'm really excited to see where this goes.
I recommend reading A Thousand Li first because it will make this series more enjoyable, and A Thousand Li is incredible.
May 15, 2026
Thank you Starlit Publishing for this ARC book and audiobook!
This book gives a new look into immortality and ascending into the heavens. As Wu Ying realizes it is not so different from the mortal world.
For me this was such an amazing introduction to Tao Wongs works. This book has only made me want to read his other works which happen to also tie into this world. Wong has a real back for building such a beautiful world and bringing it to life.
With Inmortal Connections in particular we get to see this world from multiple POV each with their own ambitions and goals.
I also received the audiobook along with the book which was an absolute treat. Tim Lounibos really brought life into these characters. Sometimes I can find it difficult to keep track of certain characters but Tim gives each character their own voice and makes it easy to differentiate who is speaking. I find this important for audiobooks specifically because I myself like multitasking while listening and this makes it easier especially with so many characters to keep track.
I absolutely cannot wait to keep reading this series and also dive into Wongs other books and see what they have in store.
Immortal Connections is perfect for fans of high fantasy who want a book that takes it time and really rewards for patience. If you want to see a different view of the immortal realm then this book will fulfill that in every way!
This book gives a new look into immortality and ascending into the heavens. As Wu Ying realizes it is not so different from the mortal world.
For me this was such an amazing introduction to Tao Wongs works. This book has only made me want to read his other works which happen to also tie into this world. Wong has a real back for building such a beautiful world and bringing it to life.
With Inmortal Connections in particular we get to see this world from multiple POV each with their own ambitions and goals.
I also received the audiobook along with the book which was an absolute treat. Tim Lounibos really brought life into these characters. Sometimes I can find it difficult to keep track of certain characters but Tim gives each character their own voice and makes it easy to differentiate who is speaking. I find this important for audiobooks specifically because I myself like multitasking while listening and this makes it easier especially with so many characters to keep track.
I absolutely cannot wait to keep reading this series and also dive into Wongs other books and see what they have in store.
Immortal Connections is perfect for fans of high fantasy who want a book that takes it time and really rewards for patience. If you want to see a different view of the immortal realm then this book will fulfill that in every way!
June 10, 2026
This was a very long novel, packed with action and warfare and plots, but strangely limited political depth and confused world development. Cultivation novels like this can often expect a prior understanding of the systems, the hierarchies, the creatures and the religious and fantasy theory that underlies them. I lost track of who was who fairly quickly, the main two easier to identify especially as their narratives converge, their goals link, their past is shared, the others are introduced somewhat randomly and serve completely different narratives. Also the female characters were noticeably weaker, their internal narrative occasionally over-focused on appearances, on subservience, it's strange and unnecessary... The whole concept that the MFC worked entirely on helping her partner ascend first rather than there being an effort to ascend together is a strange basis.
There were enjoyable moments of intense action, of detailed one-to-one combat, moments of victory, of loss, of defeat, of success. The conflict was brilliantly described and the different characters had unique styles and engaged in battles with various opponents. I wish all the narratives had converged more neatly, two joined in a satisfying conclusion, while the other two didn't really go anywhere...
Action-packed but mildly confusing and an attempt to cover too many narratives without clear links and convergence.
There were enjoyable moments of intense action, of detailed one-to-one combat, moments of victory, of loss, of defeat, of success. The conflict was brilliantly described and the different characters had unique styles and engaged in battles with various opponents. I wish all the narratives had converged more neatly, two joined in a satisfying conclusion, while the other two didn't really go anywhere...
Action-packed but mildly confusing and an attempt to cover too many narratives without clear links and convergence.
May 19, 2026
Rating 4.0 stars
Not sure how to feel about this one. The initial series followed Wu Ying and his progress of ascending to immortality. There were other characters that I really liked but it was mainly his story. This one is different. While it does start off pretty much the same with Wu Ting as the new ascendant immortal and his difficulties maneuvering through the heavenly bureaucracy, it stops being his story about 1/3 through the book. At that point it mainly deals with the people left back in the middle kingdom. Mainly Yang Mu, Tou He, and Fa Yaun. Out of those Yang Mu is the only one I really cared about (in this story). I understood her motivations and what she was doing. For the other two characters, Tou He and Fa Yaun, I was really bored with their story arc. I didn't really agree with their motivations and what they were doing which made me not really care what happened.
Overall, there were parts of the story I really liked (mainly Wu Ying, but also with Yang Mu), and other parts that I really didn't care about. Overall, I will continue with the series but will have to see how things progress. Next book doesn't come out for another year, so maybe I will change my mind by then.
Not sure how to feel about this one. The initial series followed Wu Ying and his progress of ascending to immortality. There were other characters that I really liked but it was mainly his story. This one is different. While it does start off pretty much the same with Wu Ting as the new ascendant immortal and his difficulties maneuvering through the heavenly bureaucracy, it stops being his story about 1/3 through the book. At that point it mainly deals with the people left back in the middle kingdom. Mainly Yang Mu, Tou He, and Fa Yaun. Out of those Yang Mu is the only one I really cared about (in this story). I understood her motivations and what she was doing. For the other two characters, Tou He and Fa Yaun, I was really bored with their story arc. I didn't really agree with their motivations and what they were doing which made me not really care what happened.
Overall, there were parts of the story I really liked (mainly Wu Ying, but also with Yang Mu), and other parts that I really didn't care about. Overall, I will continue with the series but will have to see how things progress. Next book doesn't come out for another year, so maybe I will change my mind by then.
June 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Starlit Publishing for the ALC.
Plot 3.5/5
Characters 3.5/5
Ending 3/5
Interest 2.5/5
Overall 3/5
-This is definitely a patience based book. I’m thankful to have the audio version because I don’t think I would’ve had the patience to read all these pages. The world is very interesting and there are so many beautiful elements, however, I can tell there is some lore I am missing because this is based off of a different series. But I did get bored at times because it was so slow and long.
-The narrator is definitely a good one. The time alone is phenomenal but I thought there were only so many voices one do but they were able to portray every character slightly differently. Now as for the characters themselves, I didn’t really connect with them, perhaps because I couldn’t relate to the previous series. But I was interested in the world and the plot but didn’t particularly care for the characters.
-Again, this is a book for patient readers. And I felt quite bored at times, things were too slow, the book was too long and I wouldn’t always keep up. It still held up very well but I think this is a very specific book designated for specific types of readers and unfortunately that wasn’t me.
Plot 3.5/5
Characters 3.5/5
Ending 3/5
Interest 2.5/5
Overall 3/5
-This is definitely a patience based book. I’m thankful to have the audio version because I don’t think I would’ve had the patience to read all these pages. The world is very interesting and there are so many beautiful elements, however, I can tell there is some lore I am missing because this is based off of a different series. But I did get bored at times because it was so slow and long.
-The narrator is definitely a good one. The time alone is phenomenal but I thought there were only so many voices one do but they were able to portray every character slightly differently. Now as for the characters themselves, I didn’t really connect with them, perhaps because I couldn’t relate to the previous series. But I was interested in the world and the plot but didn’t particularly care for the characters.
-Again, this is a book for patient readers. And I felt quite bored at times, things were too slow, the book was too long and I wouldn’t always keep up. It still held up very well but I think this is a very specific book designated for specific types of readers and unfortunately that wasn’t me.
May 1, 2026
This is an exciting and engaging epic fantasy that fully pulled me in. We follow Wu Ying after his ascension to the heavens, where his goal is to bring his partner to join him—but nothing comes easily. The story weaves through complex celestial politics while contrasting them with earthly ties, creating a compelling tension between duty, power, and personal connection. This contrast is one of the book's strongest elements. It adds emotional weight and depth, grounding the larger, high-stakes narrative in something personal and meaningful.
The audiobook is outstanding. The narrator adds real dimension to the story, giving each character a distinct and recognizable voice, no small feat given the large ensemble. The performance kept me fully engaged and significantly elevated the overall experience.
Overall, a dynamic and immersive fantasy with strong emotional stakes and exceptional narration. This book is for those who enjoy epic fantasy with detailed world-building and character arcs that are deep.
The audiobook is outstanding. The narrator adds real dimension to the story, giving each character a distinct and recognizable voice, no small feat given the large ensemble. The performance kept me fully engaged and significantly elevated the overall experience.
Overall, a dynamic and immersive fantasy with strong emotional stakes and exceptional narration. This book is for those who enjoy epic fantasy with detailed world-building and character arcs that are deep.
May 5, 2026
Awesome start to a new series
If this is your first Tao Wong book, STOP! You really must read the Thousand Li series before this one. Just trust me. You will get more enjoyment from the overall experience that way.
In this book, follow along with our intrepid hero as he causes all sorts of drama in the so-called Heavenly Realms. He meets new people, makes new friends (and possibly enemies), and learns about the new world he finds himself in. As usual, he treats others pretty much as they treat him. He has overcome most of his inborn prejudices long ago, and now sees how obnoxious they truly are when directed at him. :)
Nobody important dies (yet) although a couple are left in bad positions by the end of the book.
Highly recommend for all ages, male and female, to buy or borrow. One of my new favorites. Very few typos, unfamiliar terms are defined, characters advance and develop logically, world-building is most excellent!
9/10 dragons 🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉
Worth getting a hard copy.
If this is your first Tao Wong book, STOP! You really must read the Thousand Li series before this one. Just trust me. You will get more enjoyment from the overall experience that way.
In this book, follow along with our intrepid hero as he causes all sorts of drama in the so-called Heavenly Realms. He meets new people, makes new friends (and possibly enemies), and learns about the new world he finds himself in. As usual, he treats others pretty much as they treat him. He has overcome most of his inborn prejudices long ago, and now sees how obnoxious they truly are when directed at him. :)
Nobody important dies (yet) although a couple are left in bad positions by the end of the book.
Highly recommend for all ages, male and female, to buy or borrow. One of my new favorites. Very few typos, unfamiliar terms are defined, characters advance and develop logically, world-building is most excellent!
9/10 dragons 🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉
Worth getting a hard copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Immortal Connections delivers a strong start to an epic xianxia fantasy series, blending celestial politics, mortal struggles, and high-stakes destiny. The story follows Long Wu Ying after his ascension to immortality—but instead of peace, he’s pulled into conflict both in the heavens and the mortal world.
The dual perspective between immortal realms and the chaos below adds depth, especially as war, drought, and power struggles unfold without him. The world-building is rich, with layered cultivation systems, celestial hierarchies, and multiple realms that feel expansive and immersive.
At times, the pacing can feel a bit dense with lore, but the emotional core—Wu Ying’s ties to his past and his desire to protect those he left behind—keeps the story grounded.
Overall, it’s a compelling, ambitious opener that sets up a much larger conflict, perfect for fans of cultivation fantasy and epic, multi-realm storytelling.
The dual perspective between immortal realms and the chaos below adds depth, especially as war, drought, and power struggles unfold without him. The world-building is rich, with layered cultivation systems, celestial hierarchies, and multiple realms that feel expansive and immersive.
At times, the pacing can feel a bit dense with lore, but the emotional core—Wu Ying’s ties to his past and his desire to protect those he left behind—keeps the story grounded.
Overall, it’s a compelling, ambitious opener that sets up a much larger conflict, perfect for fans of cultivation fantasy and epic, multi-realm storytelling.
May 1, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for this advance copy!
Simply in terms of length (900+ pages) this is an epic fantasy novel. We follow Wu Ying who has recently ascended to heaven and whose mission it now is for his companion to join him. The writing, in particular the detailed world-building, was excellent and in terms of plot and pacing there was enough going on to keep me invested for the entirety of this book. That being said, this book would have benefited from being at least 200 pages shorter, as it did start to drag in the middle half. Additionally, there were multiple "action scenes" that were unnecessary for the story's development and the author could have focused more on the relationship between characters, especially Wu Ying and his companion.
Overall, a fun and engaging read, however a greater exploration of the characters themselves and a more edited plot would have been, in my opinion, required.
Simply in terms of length (900+ pages) this is an epic fantasy novel. We follow Wu Ying who has recently ascended to heaven and whose mission it now is for his companion to join him. The writing, in particular the detailed world-building, was excellent and in terms of plot and pacing there was enough going on to keep me invested for the entirety of this book. That being said, this book would have benefited from being at least 200 pages shorter, as it did start to drag in the middle half. Additionally, there were multiple "action scenes" that were unnecessary for the story's development and the author could have focused more on the relationship between characters, especially Wu Ying and his companion.
Overall, a fun and engaging read, however a greater exploration of the characters themselves and a more edited plot would have been, in my opinion, required.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had the wonderful opportunity to arc read this. The first chapter immediately drew me in and could not—would not—put this book down. Immortal Connections offers readers a thrilling journey through a world of cultivation, power struggles, loyalty, and growth within a fantasy-action and character-driven narrative. The plot is beautifully paced; there was never a time when I felt it dragged on or had chapters that went on for longer than needed (which is hard to do with a lengthy book), with information and twists that will keep readers engaged and on the edge of their seats. The story is a wonderful book for those diving into this genre for the first time. I was rooting for Wu Ying from the very first page. Immortal Connections is an exciting start to a promising series, and the cover is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!
August 30, 2026
An amazing start to a new series!
This book is long, and it definitely took me some time to get through it, but that isn’t a bad thing — it actually feels larger in scope than the other books in the series. Some parts move slowly, yet the entire second half is packed with action and major developments .
A huge portion of the story also follows Ji Ling’s friends, giving the book a broader, ensemble feel. Their arcs add depth to the world and help set up future conflicts and alliances.
Ji Ling’s own introduction to the immortal realm goes about as smoothly as you’d expect: not at all. He immediately pushes against the grain and manages to irritate all kinds of powerful people, which makes his journey chaotic and compelling .
Overall, this is a strong opening to the Celestial Cataclysms series and sets the stage for a lot more to come.
This book is long, and it definitely took me some time to get through it, but that isn’t a bad thing — it actually feels larger in scope than the other books in the series. Some parts move slowly, yet the entire second half is packed with action and major developments .
A huge portion of the story also follows Ji Ling’s friends, giving the book a broader, ensemble feel. Their arcs add depth to the world and help set up future conflicts and alliances.
Ji Ling’s own introduction to the immortal realm goes about as smoothly as you’d expect: not at all. He immediately pushes against the grain and manages to irritate all kinds of powerful people, which makes his journey chaotic and compelling .
Overall, this is a strong opening to the Celestial Cataclysms series and sets the stage for a lot more to come.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ No Spoilers
Immortal Connections was Uniquely Captivating.
Immortal Connections follows Long Wu Ying who has finally ascended to immortality and now wants to bring his lover as well. However, the wold below has different plans because war has ravished the lands and now Long's friends and family are in danger. He must learn quick to work with the immortals to fight battles on two fronts.
This story is so intricate that you don't want to miss a thing. I love the immense amount of detail in the beginning. Although it is long it all comes together in the end. This is just book 1 I cannot wait for the next book.
Overall, I gave this book 4 stars. I would recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy.
Immortal Connections was Uniquely Captivating.
Immortal Connections follows Long Wu Ying who has finally ascended to immortality and now wants to bring his lover as well. However, the wold below has different plans because war has ravished the lands and now Long's friends and family are in danger. He must learn quick to work with the immortals to fight battles on two fronts.
This story is so intricate that you don't want to miss a thing. I love the immense amount of detail in the beginning. Although it is long it all comes together in the end. This is just book 1 I cannot wait for the next book.
Overall, I gave this book 4 stars. I would recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy.
Did Not Finish
May 18, 2026Thank you the author for providing this ARC.
Found it to be a very heavy and slow read. There was a lot of information without any explanation, and I struggled to understand what was going on and by whom. It felt like there was an expectation to know about the background mythology. I have read other books of a similar genre, which were much easier to follow and/or gave better details to help understand the hierarchy/social structure/titles/names.
*EDIT* - having now read some other reviews, I have learnt that this book is a spin-off from another series by this author. Nowhere (to me) was this made clear, and it explains why there were few explanations, as these would have been provided in the main series.
Found it to be a very heavy and slow read. There was a lot of information without any explanation, and I struggled to understand what was going on and by whom. It felt like there was an expectation to know about the background mythology. I have read other books of a similar genre, which were much easier to follow and/or gave better details to help understand the hierarchy/social structure/titles/names.
*EDIT* - having now read some other reviews, I have learnt that this book is a spin-off from another series by this author. Nowhere (to me) was this made clear, and it explains why there were few explanations, as these would have been provided in the main series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**Review of ARC copy recieved from Netgalley - thank you!! Opinions are my own**
An epic tale that spans across immortal and human realms that marries great characters with an excellent story.
The book is quite lengthy and a challenge to get into at the start but I appreciate that the author took a lot of time to establish aspects of the immortal realm that makes the book more accessible for readers less familiar with that world.
A high fantasy tale inspired by the same Chinese Cultivation sects that got me back into reading years ago (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation) - an easy recommended reads for fans of the series.
An epic tale that spans across immortal and human realms that marries great characters with an excellent story.
The book is quite lengthy and a challenge to get into at the start but I appreciate that the author took a lot of time to establish aspects of the immortal realm that makes the book more accessible for readers less familiar with that world.
A high fantasy tale inspired by the same Chinese Cultivation sects that got me back into reading years ago (Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation) - an easy recommended reads for fans of the series.
May 2, 2026
Tao Wong writes so well. Some may find his attention to detail, politics, and academia a hurdle to understanding the story, but I find they are important and necessary part of the world-building. I deeply connected with the main character and his feelings while maneuvering the bureaucracy of government and his struggles with his new world. The ending is very intense. I look forward to the second book.
Tim Lounibos did an excellent job of reading is epically long story with consistency and added intrigue and emotion to the story.
#ImmortalConnections #NetGalley #StarlitPublishing
Thank you to Starlit Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tim Lounibos did an excellent job of reading is epically long story with consistency and added intrigue and emotion to the story.
#ImmortalConnections #NetGalley #StarlitPublishing
Thank you to Starlit Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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