What do you think?
Never Ever After #2
For Ever More
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26The breathtaking sequel to the New York Times bestselling Never Ever After, this epic fantasy finds Yining on the run and fighting to save her family and her kingdom.
After the explosive events of Never Ever After, Yining flees the Iron Mountains with her unlikely allies, seeking the truth about her newfound powers amid the secrets surrounding her ancestral home. But with a traitorous queen ruling the Three Kingdoms from a stolen throne, nowhere is truly safe, and Yining must decide whom to trust to keep her family—and her heart—from harm.
After the explosive events of Never Ever After, Yining flees the Iron Mountains with her unlikely allies, seeking the truth about her newfound powers amid the secrets surrounding her ancestral home. But with a traitorous queen ruling the Three Kingdoms from a stolen throne, nowhere is truly safe, and Yining must decide whom to trust to keep her family—and her heart—from harm.
368 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 26, 2026
About the author
Sue Lynn Tan
13 books9,969 followersSue Lynn Tan is the NYT, USA Today, and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess and the Celestial Kingdom books, Immortal and Never Ever After. She writes stories of mythology, fantasy and romance, for adults and older teenagers. Her books are being translated into eighteen languages, have been nominated for multiple Goodreads Choice Awards, and won the American Library Association Alex Award.
Born in Malaysia, Sue Lynn studied in London and France, before moving to Hong Kong. Her love for stories began with a gift from her father, her first compilation of fairytales from around the world. and she spent much of her childhood lost in magical worlds.
Find her on Instagram @SuelynnTan, or on her website www.suelynntan.com.
Born in Malaysia, Sue Lynn studied in London and France, before moving to Hong Kong. Her love for stories began with a gift from her father, her first compilation of fairytales from around the world. and she spent much of her childhood lost in magical worlds.
Find her on Instagram @SuelynnTan, or on her website www.suelynntan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 23, 2026
SLT, I’m begging you, for my mental health, please keep writing books
There’s something so truly transportive about Tan’s books, and no matter how many I read, I’m always ready for more. I feel like I’m being immersed in a deeply magical world where anything is possible.
As always, this duology from Tan is incredibly skilled in its plotting: alliances shift, betrayals undermine our heroine, love interests show up and others are revealed to be troubling.
Yining is a uniquely conniving heroine for Tan, as she willingly jumps into court politics, schemes and lies, but while she certainly seeks to save herself, she’s still like other Tan heroines in looking out for the greater good.
One strength of this book is that even though on its face it’s a retelling, it truly transcends that label. The carp and its significance in that tale are important of course, but I find the story compelling in its own right and I’m not sure the added detail of it being a retelling is really even needed as a hook.
I finished this book with the biggest smile on my face. I hope to always have such incredible books about magical lands to look forward to.
There’s something so truly transportive about Tan’s books, and no matter how many I read, I’m always ready for more. I feel like I’m being immersed in a deeply magical world where anything is possible.
As always, this duology from Tan is incredibly skilled in its plotting: alliances shift, betrayals undermine our heroine, love interests show up and others are revealed to be troubling.
Yining is a uniquely conniving heroine for Tan, as she willingly jumps into court politics, schemes and lies, but while she certainly seeks to save herself, she’s still like other Tan heroines in looking out for the greater good.
One strength of this book is that even though on its face it’s a retelling, it truly transcends that label. The carp and its significance in that tale are important of course, but I find the story compelling in its own right and I’m not sure the added detail of it being a retelling is really even needed as a hook.
I finished this book with the biggest smile on my face. I hope to always have such incredible books about magical lands to look forward to.
Want to Read
March 20, 2026They changed the cover design again? Now my editions won't match 😭😭😭
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
★★★.25
Thank you so much to NetGalley and
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
for the e-ARC of For Ever More.
I’ve been waiting for this book since last year, when I finished The Arc of Never Ever After, so I was really curious to see where Sue Lynn Tan would take the story next. This is the second and final book in the duology, and I have to say, Sue Lynn Tan really is one of those writers who can take you somewhere you never expected to end up. You can start the book thinking you have an idea of where everything is going, and somehow, by the end, you’re somewhere completely different.
I do think the plot twist in this book was weaker than the one in the first. The first book’s twist had such a strong impact, while this one felt more predictable. The love triangle also did not surprise me much because I think it was fairly obvious who the main love interest would be by the end.
However, the writing is absolutely beautiful. Sue Lynn Tan’s prose is so luscious, and the world-building continues to be one of my favourite aspects of this series. I loved the magic system, the political intrigue, and getting to meet some of the new characters introduced in this book. There was so much to explore within this world, and I definitely wanted to know more about some of these characters and their stories.
My biggest issue was the pacing. This book felt very slow for a large portion of the story. I felt like things only really started picking up around the 36% mark, and even then, it took some time for the story to fully find its pace. There were also moments where I felt disconnected from the characters and their emotions, and some sections felt like they were dragging.
That being said, the last 20 to 30% really did it for me. Everything finally started coming together, and the conclusion was genuinely beautiful. By the end, I was glad to have experienced this story, even though I think certain aspects could have been stronger.
Overall, I really enjoyed For Ever More and loved this duology. It wasn’t a perfect conclusion for me, especially because of the pacing and the occasional disconnect from the characters, but Sue Lynn Tan’s writing, the world-building, magic, political intrigue, and the beautiful ending made this a satisfying conclusion to the duology.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
for the e-ARC of For Ever More.
I’ve been waiting for this book since last year, when I finished The Arc of Never Ever After, so I was really curious to see where Sue Lynn Tan would take the story next. This is the second and final book in the duology, and I have to say, Sue Lynn Tan really is one of those writers who can take you somewhere you never expected to end up. You can start the book thinking you have an idea of where everything is going, and somehow, by the end, you’re somewhere completely different.
I do think the plot twist in this book was weaker than the one in the first. The first book’s twist had such a strong impact, while this one felt more predictable. The love triangle also did not surprise me much because I think it was fairly obvious who the main love interest would be by the end.
However, the writing is absolutely beautiful. Sue Lynn Tan’s prose is so luscious, and the world-building continues to be one of my favourite aspects of this series. I loved the magic system, the political intrigue, and getting to meet some of the new characters introduced in this book. There was so much to explore within this world, and I definitely wanted to know more about some of these characters and their stories.
My biggest issue was the pacing. This book felt very slow for a large portion of the story. I felt like things only really started picking up around the 36% mark, and even then, it took some time for the story to fully find its pace. There were also moments where I felt disconnected from the characters and their emotions, and some sections felt like they were dragging.
That being said, the last 20 to 30% really did it for me. Everything finally started coming together, and the conclusion was genuinely beautiful. By the end, I was glad to have experienced this story, even though I think certain aspects could have been stronger.
Overall, I really enjoyed For Ever More and loved this duology. It wasn’t a perfect conclusion for me, especially because of the pacing and the occasional disconnect from the characters, but Sue Lynn Tan’s writing, the world-building, magic, political intrigue, and the beautiful ending made this a satisfying conclusion to the duology.
July 14, 2026
3.75 stars⭐️
For Ever More is the second book in a duology, following Never Ever After. This book picks up right where the first one ended, Yining fleeing to her true home with her sister, finally getting to return after being captured as a young girl. And since Princess Chunlei took the throne of the Iron Mountains, the stakes are higher, war looming.
This was a solid follow up to the first book, for me the star of the book and my favorite character was Jin. Absolutely adored him, he had me kicking my feet a little and he’s definitely one of my favorite MMCs I’ve read in YA fantasy in awhileeee. I highlighted a lot of things he said and his actions towards Yining were sooo cute.
Yining, the main character, albeit understandable with her wants to fit into her new home and its ways, absolutely drove me crazy as the story went on. At times it felt she regressed, I remember feeling in the first book she hadn’t differentiated herself as a character until the end. So I felt frustrated with her in this book/with the writing as she acted like an impulsive brat half the time, honestly didn’t even want her to end up with Jin after how she treated him for half the book until suddenly doing a 180💀 And I remember liking her a lot by the end of book 1, the plot having taken more sinister, this sequel just felt a little odd.
This book is essentially your— magic kingdoms refusing to help others who are suffering and sticking to their old ways, and acting holier than thou about it. It also felt strange how Yining let complete strangers dictate her actions and manipulate her thoughts all because they’re “family”, she’s immediately undyingly loyal which I found too easy (but maybe it was as such since it’s YA). I was very annoyed with how desperate she was to please these people and was suuuper cruel to Jin at times. Granted, I’m sure that was done purposefully so she could have more of a growth arc, but for me it felt rather flat after how she set herself apart at the end of the first book.
The final 35% ish was faster paced, though the final parts of this story just reminded me a lot of the plot/locations that Daughter of the Moon Goddess series went as well. While I enjoyed the first book more, this wasn’t a bad ending to the story at all, the side characters absolutely shine and Jin totally made it worth it.
I do adore Sue Lynn Tan’s writing style, loved her Daughter of the Moon Goddess duology and liked Immortal, however it’s starting to feel repetitive. Same cadences and descriptions. While this was a solid YA fantasy with romance, fairy tale retellings (primarily in the first book though)… I think the stories and the characters have blended together in a sense. There’s nothing truly differentiating the overarching plots and their conflicts, or the characters from all of Tan’s books (primarily the three FMC’s across Tan’s books are the same but in slightly different fonts, whereas the MMC’s feel so different). I would love to see Tan broaden her writing/plots outside this realm of the fantasy she has stuck to, to see what she can do.
*ARC courtesy of netgalley*
US publishing date: October 27th 2026
(ps. go check out the artist @rosiethorns88 on Sue Lynn Tan’s instagram for her artwork of Yining and Jin, they’re adorableeee)
For Ever More is the second book in a duology, following Never Ever After. This book picks up right where the first one ended, Yining fleeing to her true home with her sister, finally getting to return after being captured as a young girl. And since Princess Chunlei took the throne of the Iron Mountains, the stakes are higher, war looming.
This was a solid follow up to the first book, for me the star of the book and my favorite character was Jin. Absolutely adored him, he had me kicking my feet a little and he’s definitely one of my favorite MMCs I’ve read in YA fantasy in awhileeee. I highlighted a lot of things he said and his actions towards Yining were sooo cute.
Yining, the main character, albeit understandable with her wants to fit into her new home and its ways, absolutely drove me crazy as the story went on. At times it felt she regressed, I remember feeling in the first book she hadn’t differentiated herself as a character until the end. So I felt frustrated with her in this book/with the writing as she acted like an impulsive brat half the time, honestly didn’t even want her to end up with Jin after how she treated him for half the book until suddenly doing a 180💀 And I remember liking her a lot by the end of book 1, the plot having taken more sinister, this sequel just felt a little odd.
This book is essentially your— magic kingdoms refusing to help others who are suffering and sticking to their old ways, and acting holier than thou about it. It also felt strange how Yining let complete strangers dictate her actions and manipulate her thoughts all because they’re “family”, she’s immediately undyingly loyal which I found too easy (but maybe it was as such since it’s YA). I was very annoyed with how desperate she was to please these people and was suuuper cruel to Jin at times. Granted, I’m sure that was done purposefully so she could have more of a growth arc, but for me it felt rather flat after how she set herself apart at the end of the first book.
The final 35% ish was faster paced, though the final parts of this story just reminded me a lot of the plot/locations that Daughter of the Moon Goddess series went as well. While I enjoyed the first book more, this wasn’t a bad ending to the story at all, the side characters absolutely shine and Jin totally made it worth it.
I do adore Sue Lynn Tan’s writing style, loved her Daughter of the Moon Goddess duology and liked Immortal, however it’s starting to feel repetitive. Same cadences and descriptions. While this was a solid YA fantasy with romance, fairy tale retellings (primarily in the first book though)… I think the stories and the characters have blended together in a sense. There’s nothing truly differentiating the overarching plots and their conflicts, or the characters from all of Tan’s books (primarily the three FMC’s across Tan’s books are the same but in slightly different fonts, whereas the MMC’s feel so different). I would love to see Tan broaden her writing/plots outside this realm of the fantasy she has stuck to, to see what she can do.
*ARC courtesy of netgalley*
US publishing date: October 27th 2026
(ps. go check out the artist @rosiethorns88 on Sue Lynn Tan’s instagram for her artwork of Yining and Jin, they’re adorableeee)
August 28, 2026
I will read anything this author writes. End of story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
~
𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔
~
For Ever More is a satisfying conclusion to the Never Ever After duology, it builds upon the foundation laid in the first book with lush imagery and a world steeped in magical whimsy. There are some pacing issues at the start with the story slowly building up the stakes but it wasn’t too overly draggy and that is in part thanks to the book not being overly long. The highlight was the character arcs, I just loved seeing how Yining starts to really come into its own within this one.
Overall, while it doesn't out shine Never Ever After, For Ever More still is a solid followup. I can't wait to see what Sue Lynn Tan has in store for her next novel.
~ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 ~
Much like Never Ever After, the way in which Sue Lynn Tan wove in little touches of the classic Cinderella tale added for an nontraditional take and took it beyond just a simple retelling.
While this isn’t the most twisty of plots especially in comparison to the first installment, I was still engaged in seeing how the story unfolded.
The weakest point has to be that the story never truly ever feels like it started until around the third part. Since the story picks up right where the first one ended, it sent the overall plot into a bit of a lull as it has Yining being reintroduced to her ancestral home and thrown into political animosity between her kingdom, Mist Island and Jin’s kingdom, Thorn Valley.
The story also could have benefited more from spending more time with Chunlei, the new Queen of the Iron Mountains. With how Never Ever After ended, I expected Chunlei to be a bigger player and while as a reader we know what she’s doing behind the scenes it felt like she was more of a barely there. Just a mere shadow within the overarching story. While she is forcing other kingdoms to bend, it still felt like she lacked the gravitas of an evil queen and the villain of the story. It was too focused on telling rather than showing, while this is slightly remedied by the final part, it could have still used more Chunlei to tie the overall plot properly.
~ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 ~
The romance does feel slightly reminiscent of The Celestial Kingdom with Xingyin and Wenzhi in that trust and feeling used becomes a conflict at the center of their romantic tension. However, unlike that series, I appreciated that the love triangle also doesn’t get dragged out. It is quite obvious who Yining is falling for and in a way it does work as a twist on how traditionally the tale of Cinderella plays out.
There’s even more push and pull in this one with Jin challenging Yining and helping her to see outside the prejudices that she was introduced to when she returned home to Mist Island. Yining does try to fight against her feelings and maybe that might land as being frustratingly stubborn, but it does work for me in further developing the overall thematic point of the novel which is to look beyond what you hear and to develop your own thoughts outside of what is expected. It also helped make the devotions hit a lot stronger and the sweet moments oh so more sweet.
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝐿𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒, 𝐵𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝐵𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑐 ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
For Ever More is a satisfying conclusion to the Never Ever After duology, it builds upon the foundation laid in the first book with lush imagery and a world steeped in magical whimsy. There are some pacing issues at the start with the story slowly building up the stakes but it wasn’t too overly draggy and that is in part thanks to the book not being overly long. The highlight was the character arcs, I just loved seeing how Yining starts to really come into its own within this one.
Overall, while it doesn't out shine Never Ever After, For Ever More still is a solid followup. I can't wait to see what Sue Lynn Tan has in store for her next novel.
~ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 ~
Much like Never Ever After, the way in which Sue Lynn Tan wove in little touches of the classic Cinderella tale added for an nontraditional take and took it beyond just a simple retelling.
While this isn’t the most twisty of plots especially in comparison to the first installment, I was still engaged in seeing how the story unfolded.
The weakest point has to be that the story never truly ever feels like it started until around the third part. Since the story picks up right where the first one ended, it sent the overall plot into a bit of a lull as it has Yining being reintroduced to her ancestral home and thrown into political animosity between her kingdom, Mist Island and Jin’s kingdom, Thorn Valley.
The story also could have benefited more from spending more time with Chunlei, the new Queen of the Iron Mountains. With how Never Ever After ended, I expected Chunlei to be a bigger player and while as a reader we know what she’s doing behind the scenes it felt like she was more of a barely there. Just a mere shadow within the overarching story. While she is forcing other kingdoms to bend, it still felt like she lacked the gravitas of an evil queen and the villain of the story. It was too focused on telling rather than showing, while this is slightly remedied by the final part, it could have still used more Chunlei to tie the overall plot properly.
~ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 ~
The romance does feel slightly reminiscent of The Celestial Kingdom with Xingyin and Wenzhi in that trust and feeling used becomes a conflict at the center of their romantic tension. However, unlike that series, I appreciated that the love triangle also doesn’t get dragged out. It is quite obvious who Yining is falling for and in a way it does work as a twist on how traditionally the tale of Cinderella plays out.
There’s even more push and pull in this one with Jin challenging Yining and helping her to see outside the prejudices that she was introduced to when she returned home to Mist Island. Yining does try to fight against her feelings and maybe that might land as being frustratingly stubborn, but it does work for me in further developing the overall thematic point of the novel which is to look beyond what you hear and to develop your own thoughts outside of what is expected. It also helped make the devotions hit a lot stronger and the sweet moments oh so more sweet.
˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝐿𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒, 𝐵𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝐵𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑐 ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a ride! This was a highly anticipated sequel for me and I'm so glad I got to read it. The story picks up immediately from the first book and the pace ramps up as the book goes on. I read 200 pages at a breakneck speed because I was anxious for the characters. The plot is intriguing, the characters are lovable, the setting is lush and well described. I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience.
This book also broke a pattern I have noticed recently. I love a duology, but lately the second book has been missing the magic of the first for me. For Ever More, however, was even better than the first book, in my opinion. The magic of the world, the relationships and the tension between characters were all as wonderful as in the first book. I was locked in while reading and I love that feeling. Sue Lynn Tan writes in a way that the reader can picture everything, which creates an immersive reading experience.
I highly recommend this duology, especially for lovers of The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea and Elizabeth Lim.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
This book also broke a pattern I have noticed recently. I love a duology, but lately the second book has been missing the magic of the first for me. For Ever More, however, was even better than the first book, in my opinion. The magic of the world, the relationships and the tension between characters were all as wonderful as in the first book. I was locked in while reading and I love that feeling. Sue Lynn Tan writes in a way that the reader can picture everything, which creates an immersive reading experience.
I highly recommend this duology, especially for lovers of The Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea and Elizabeth Lim.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For Ever More by Sue Lynn Tan is an absolute masterpiece. Picking up right after the explosive ending of Never Ever After, it dives straight into the highs takes atmosphere of this dark, Cinderella inspired fantasy. With a realm on the brink of
all out war, betrayal, and destruction, our FMC Yining finds herself caught between painful turmoil and the new beginning she has always dreamed of.
Yining finds herself between chaos and the comfort of home she’s forever craved. Reunited with her family, she must find her place while honoring dangerous debts to enemies and reluctant allies, all while striving to save the Sun Dragon that she finds herself bound to. She has to find out what family means and who the new people around her really are. Yining is our reluctant hero. She was born into a cruel world where she was forced to learn how to save herself. Can she rise to the challenge and save the people she’s learning the love, the world?
Tan is an absolute artist, she paints a detailed, delicate picture through her words. This book is rich in culture and you can feel the passion of it. She doesn’t just write about food, she makes it fragrant. You don’t just picture the scenery, you feel it. Her work is steeped in vivid imagery and compelling world building that makes her stories feel tangible and alive.
One of my favorite parts of this duology is the theme of love. Tan layers and weaves all the forms of love throughout these books, the destruction it causes when it’s not given, the ache of yearning when it is taken away, and how it can be wielded, warped, or poisoned. We also see how love heals and how it inspires people to be more than they imagined they would be. Never Ever After showed us that love is looking at both the dark and light, grabbing it in its entirety, and embracing all of it.
And of course we can’t forget the complex love triangle from book one. Where does it stand now when no one knows who to trust? What happens when another is thrown into the ring? The romantic tension that builds is unreal. The push and pull, the yearning, the slow burn, and the fierce devotions and declarations are *chefs kiss*.
The character growth in this duology is inspiring. Flawed, fierce, and incredibly brave, these characters seize their circumstances and fight to make the best of themselves and their world. They weave their way right into your heart and stay there.
(So many things about this ending made me happy, but plssssss I want more give us at least a novella about their happiness thank you)
all out war, betrayal, and destruction, our FMC Yining finds herself caught between painful turmoil and the new beginning she has always dreamed of.
Yining finds herself between chaos and the comfort of home she’s forever craved. Reunited with her family, she must find her place while honoring dangerous debts to enemies and reluctant allies, all while striving to save the Sun Dragon that she finds herself bound to. She has to find out what family means and who the new people around her really are. Yining is our reluctant hero. She was born into a cruel world where she was forced to learn how to save herself. Can she rise to the challenge and save the people she’s learning the love, the world?
Tan is an absolute artist, she paints a detailed, delicate picture through her words. This book is rich in culture and you can feel the passion of it. She doesn’t just write about food, she makes it fragrant. You don’t just picture the scenery, you feel it. Her work is steeped in vivid imagery and compelling world building that makes her stories feel tangible and alive.
One of my favorite parts of this duology is the theme of love. Tan layers and weaves all the forms of love throughout these books, the destruction it causes when it’s not given, the ache of yearning when it is taken away, and how it can be wielded, warped, or poisoned. We also see how love heals and how it inspires people to be more than they imagined they would be. Never Ever After showed us that love is looking at both the dark and light, grabbing it in its entirety, and embracing all of it.
And of course we can’t forget the complex love triangle from book one. Where does it stand now when no one knows who to trust? What happens when another is thrown into the ring? The romantic tension that builds is unreal. The push and pull, the yearning, the slow burn, and the fierce devotions and declarations are *chefs kiss*.
The character growth in this duology is inspiring. Flawed, fierce, and incredibly brave, these characters seize their circumstances and fight to make the best of themselves and their world. They weave their way right into your heart and stay there.
(So many things about this ending made me happy, but plssssss I want more give us at least a novella about their happiness thank you)
Read
September 5, 2026For Ever More is the follow-up to Sue Lynn Tan's first YA book, Never Ever After.
In the aftermath of Queen Chunlei’s violent usurpation of the throne of the Iron Mountains, Yining flees to her homeland, Mist Island. Neighboring Mist Island is Thorn Valley, the home of the man who helped free her of imprisonment, Jin. A terrible decay has taken over Thorn Valley, the dragons residing in Mist Island are dying, and Queen Chunlei is gathering power to invade them both. Yining must untangle the mysteries that connect these events before it is too late, while also untangling the mess her heart is in after the lies from both Jin and former Prince Zixin have left her confused, wounded, and guarded.
The first book in this duology, Never Ever After, is my favorite work yet from Sue Lynn Tan. For Ever More is a good follow up to that story. Tan’s epic storytelling in the Chinese folklore setting is as present as ever. Her prose is lush with transportive descriptions of sweeping mountains, glittering seas, and fearsome forests where the creatures of Chinese folklore roam.
The book has a slow start, which is my biggest critique. It didn't pull me in until chapter 21 (out of 53). For the second book in a duology, I was surprised by this because there was so much left unknown in the first book. I was expecting the plot to just take off right away. But I blame this on the conveyor belt of publishing companies. I will continue to read ANYTHING Sue Lynn Tan writes because she is an amazing author.
Her writing of court politics and intrigue is nerve-wracking in the best way. The tension built through the yearning of two men loving the same woman had me kicking and screaming, literally. If you like books set in a world of historical Chinese folklore and fantasy, or if you're a fan of love triangles and yearning, this is definitely a duology you will love! If you read the first book and are thinking of reading the second, I definitely recommend it as a satisfying end to the story.
In the aftermath of Queen Chunlei’s violent usurpation of the throne of the Iron Mountains, Yining flees to her homeland, Mist Island. Neighboring Mist Island is Thorn Valley, the home of the man who helped free her of imprisonment, Jin. A terrible decay has taken over Thorn Valley, the dragons residing in Mist Island are dying, and Queen Chunlei is gathering power to invade them both. Yining must untangle the mysteries that connect these events before it is too late, while also untangling the mess her heart is in after the lies from both Jin and former Prince Zixin have left her confused, wounded, and guarded.
The first book in this duology, Never Ever After, is my favorite work yet from Sue Lynn Tan. For Ever More is a good follow up to that story. Tan’s epic storytelling in the Chinese folklore setting is as present as ever. Her prose is lush with transportive descriptions of sweeping mountains, glittering seas, and fearsome forests where the creatures of Chinese folklore roam.
The book has a slow start, which is my biggest critique. It didn't pull me in until chapter 21 (out of 53). For the second book in a duology, I was surprised by this because there was so much left unknown in the first book. I was expecting the plot to just take off right away. But I blame this on the conveyor belt of publishing companies. I will continue to read ANYTHING Sue Lynn Tan writes because she is an amazing author.
Her writing of court politics and intrigue is nerve-wracking in the best way. The tension built through the yearning of two men loving the same woman had me kicking and screaming, literally. If you like books set in a world of historical Chinese folklore and fantasy, or if you're a fan of love triangles and yearning, this is definitely a duology you will love! If you read the first book and are thinking of reading the second, I definitely recommend it as a satisfying end to the story.
August 11, 2026
The sequel to Never Ever After finds Yining and her friends fleeing to Mist Island with the Sun Dragon in the hopes that she can restore his magic before he perishes. Along the way she finds herself torn between her loyalty to her family and her growing feelings for Jin, the Lord of Thorn Valley.
I was really hoping to like this book better than the first one. Unfortunately I found it to be rather predictable. Having read several of the author’s other books I found the plots to be quite similar, which make for a boring read. Just the same, all of the protagonists havr become similar in my mind as well—a young girl who is headstrong and “different from all the other girls” who is lifted above her station by magic or a prince/lord who is obsessed with her because she “isn’t like other girls.” The love interests have begun to blend together as well. I am tired of the love triangles and the inevitable betrayal/death of one of them to make her choose the other.
Yining, as the protagonist, I found to be particularly hard to connect to. She is immature and spoiled, angry at the men for not doing what she wants and then turning around to run off to do whatever she pleased despite the warnings or danger. I didn’t find her to be believable as a character at all. She may have faced hardships but there was always someone there to bail her out, and I felt the mmcs let her get away with things that she normally wouldn’t have been able to accomplish on her own (blackmailing a prince, sneaking around palaces when everyone and their brother were expecting her, magically having the bones of the last dragon that she supposedly already buried, etc).
I still think SLT’s writing is a good entry point into those looking to start Asian inspired fiction, particularly with the popularity of Chinese and Korean dramas in the West right now.
I was really hoping to like this book better than the first one. Unfortunately I found it to be rather predictable. Having read several of the author’s other books I found the plots to be quite similar, which make for a boring read. Just the same, all of the protagonists havr become similar in my mind as well—a young girl who is headstrong and “different from all the other girls” who is lifted above her station by magic or a prince/lord who is obsessed with her because she “isn’t like other girls.” The love interests have begun to blend together as well. I am tired of the love triangles and the inevitable betrayal/death of one of them to make her choose the other.
Yining, as the protagonist, I found to be particularly hard to connect to. She is immature and spoiled, angry at the men for not doing what she wants and then turning around to run off to do whatever she pleased despite the warnings or danger. I didn’t find her to be believable as a character at all. She may have faced hardships but there was always someone there to bail her out, and I felt the mmcs let her get away with things that she normally wouldn’t have been able to accomplish on her own (blackmailing a prince, sneaking around palaces when everyone and their brother were expecting her, magically having the bones of the last dragon that she supposedly already buried, etc).
I still think SLT’s writing is a good entry point into those looking to start Asian inspired fiction, particularly with the popularity of Chinese and Korean dramas in the West right now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Sue Lynn Tan, and Little, Brown Books For Reading for providing me with an advanced reader copy of For Ever More in exchange for an honest review.
Sue Lynn Tan has become one of those authors whose books I will pick up without hesitation. I absolutely loved her previous works, and once again she delivers a story that is beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and filled with the lyrical prose that has become her signature.
For Ever More is a tale of love, sacrifice, destiny, and the enduring hope that some bonds can withstand even the greatest trials. Tan effortlessly blends mythology and fantasy into a world that feels both enchanting and deeply human. Every page is rich with vivid imagery, making it easy to become completely immersed in the story.
What I admire most about Sue Lynn Tan's writing is her ability to balance breathtaking world-building with intimate character moments. The relationships feel authentic, the emotional stakes are high, and every triumph and heartbreak carries real weight. Her prose has a poetic quality that elevates every scene without ever feeling overwhelming.
The themes of devotion, loss, forgiveness, and choosing love despite impossible circumstances lingered with me long after I finished reading. It is a story that reminds us that forever is not simply measured by time, but by the choices we make and the people we refuse to let go.
If you've loved Sue Lynn Tan's previous novels, you'll find so much to appreciate here. For Ever More is another beautifully crafted fantasy filled with heart, wonder, and unforgettable emotion. I can't wait to see what she writes next.
Sue Lynn Tan has become one of those authors whose books I will pick up without hesitation. I absolutely loved her previous works, and once again she delivers a story that is beautifully written, emotionally resonant, and filled with the lyrical prose that has become her signature.
For Ever More is a tale of love, sacrifice, destiny, and the enduring hope that some bonds can withstand even the greatest trials. Tan effortlessly blends mythology and fantasy into a world that feels both enchanting and deeply human. Every page is rich with vivid imagery, making it easy to become completely immersed in the story.
What I admire most about Sue Lynn Tan's writing is her ability to balance breathtaking world-building with intimate character moments. The relationships feel authentic, the emotional stakes are high, and every triumph and heartbreak carries real weight. Her prose has a poetic quality that elevates every scene without ever feeling overwhelming.
The themes of devotion, loss, forgiveness, and choosing love despite impossible circumstances lingered with me long after I finished reading. It is a story that reminds us that forever is not simply measured by time, but by the choices we make and the people we refuse to let go.
If you've loved Sue Lynn Tan's previous novels, you'll find so much to appreciate here. For Ever More is another beautifully crafted fantasy filled with heart, wonder, and unforgettable emotion. I can't wait to see what she writes next.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4⭐️
"Forever?" My chest aches with emotion. The type I want to hold on to, to never let go.
He leans closer to whisper into my ear, 'Forever, and more."
...
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
For Ever More begins right where we left off in the first installment of the Never Ever After duology. We follow Yining as she flees the Iron Mountains with her unlikely allies, seeking the truth about her newfound powers amid the secrets surrounding her ancestral home. All while fighting the ultimate and final battle of ousting Queen Chunlei, who has stolen the throne through nefarious means and purposefully forgotten magic. We are taken to new shores and further explore the complicated relationship between Yining and Jin.
I will start by saying that I am a huge fan of Sue Lynn Tan's writing style. It is florid, captivating, and has an incredible flow. Her stories are simply so readable. I have read all of her books, and I love them so much that I have read them all twice! And while I genuinely enjoyed the love triangle in The Celestial Kingdom duology, it did not seem necessary in this series. It made sense to the plot in the former, but this felt a little underdeveloped to the point it was simply not needed in the story.
However, beyond this minor issue, I did have a very enjoyable time with this duology. It was so adventurous and did not shy away from having characters that are sharper or rough around the edges. Its story is sweeping and captivating, and it had a very satisfying conclusion!
I look forward to seeing what Sue writes next!
"Forever?" My chest aches with emotion. The type I want to hold on to, to never let go.
He leans closer to whisper into my ear, 'Forever, and more."
...
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
For Ever More begins right where we left off in the first installment of the Never Ever After duology. We follow Yining as she flees the Iron Mountains with her unlikely allies, seeking the truth about her newfound powers amid the secrets surrounding her ancestral home. All while fighting the ultimate and final battle of ousting Queen Chunlei, who has stolen the throne through nefarious means and purposefully forgotten magic. We are taken to new shores and further explore the complicated relationship between Yining and Jin.
I will start by saying that I am a huge fan of Sue Lynn Tan's writing style. It is florid, captivating, and has an incredible flow. Her stories are simply so readable. I have read all of her books, and I love them so much that I have read them all twice! And while I genuinely enjoyed the love triangle in The Celestial Kingdom duology, it did not seem necessary in this series. It made sense to the plot in the former, but this felt a little underdeveloped to the point it was simply not needed in the story.
However, beyond this minor issue, I did have a very enjoyable time with this duology. It was so adventurous and did not shy away from having characters that are sharper or rough around the edges. Its story is sweeping and captivating, and it had a very satisfying conclusion!
I look forward to seeing what Sue writes next!
Want to Read
September 1, 2026Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The standout element of this book is undoubtedly Yining. She is a fiercely strong female protagonist who relies entirely on her own internal power rather than waiting to be saved.
The character development for much of the supporting cast is handled incredibly well, and Sue Lynn Tan's prose remains as lush and evocative as ever.
The Critiques - However, the pacing and certain character arcs felt slightly uneven
The Pacing: The slow-life aspect on the island dragged the momentum, making Yining feel isolated and disconnected from those around her.
Underutilized Characters: Shenming felt largely wasted as a character, and I wanted much more emotional angst explored regarding Yining’s sister, Dian.
Frustrating Tropes: While Jin is a comforting presence, he reads like a patient saint support. The plot repeatedly rehashes the same argument about whether or not to trust male characters (Jin, Shenming, Zixin), which felt like a repetitive, unnecessary plot point to retread.
The Verdict
While some of the romantic dynamics and pacing choices missed the mark for me, Yining's fierce independence and the rich world-building make it a worthwhile read for fans of the first book.
The standout element of this book is undoubtedly Yining. She is a fiercely strong female protagonist who relies entirely on her own internal power rather than waiting to be saved.
The character development for much of the supporting cast is handled incredibly well, and Sue Lynn Tan's prose remains as lush and evocative as ever.
The Critiques - However, the pacing and certain character arcs felt slightly uneven
The Pacing: The slow-life aspect on the island dragged the momentum, making Yining feel isolated and disconnected from those around her.
Underutilized Characters: Shenming felt largely wasted as a character, and I wanted much more emotional angst explored regarding Yining’s sister, Dian.
Frustrating Tropes: While Jin is a comforting presence, he reads like a patient saint support. The plot repeatedly rehashes the same argument about whether or not to trust male characters (Jin, Shenming, Zixin), which felt like a repetitive, unnecessary plot point to retread.
The Verdict
While some of the romantic dynamics and pacing choices missed the mark for me, Yining's fierce independence and the rich world-building make it a worthwhile read for fans of the first book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this one more than the first book! I think the characters are better fleshed out here and the plot moves along very well. I don't really know the actual plot of the Three Kingdoms, so whether this is very loosely based on it or follows it pretty close in terms of the plot is lost on me, but I think Tan did a wonderful job wrapping up Yining's story.
Having read Tan's other duology, I was really hesitant about the love triangle, but Tan has redeemed themselves. I don't like when there's ambiguity and then back-and-forth between love interests. I think having Zixin be more firmly not the one she chooses made for a better reading experience for me. I didn't hate the guy though - I'm glad he got his character arc and he isn't a total pos at the end.
Yining as a character also surprised me. I was expecting to be more annoyed with her, but she really gave main character that cares more for the kingdom than the romance, so thanks Tan for focusing on the plot than the romance and for not making Yining useless.
I did go into this expecting to not really enjoy it, especially with how I was kinda meh after rereading the first book. I think this is a more acceptable sequel than her last duology's.
thank you to little brown books for young readers and netgalley for the eARC!
I enjoyed this one more than the first book! I think the characters are better fleshed out here and the plot moves along very well. I don't really know the actual plot of the Three Kingdoms, so whether this is very loosely based on it or follows it pretty close in terms of the plot is lost on me, but I think Tan did a wonderful job wrapping up Yining's story.
Having read Tan's other duology, I was really hesitant about the love triangle, but Tan has redeemed themselves. I don't like when there's ambiguity and then back-and-forth between love interests. I think having Zixin be more firmly not the one she chooses made for a better reading experience for me. I didn't hate the guy though - I'm glad he got his character arc and he isn't a total pos at the end.
Yining as a character also surprised me. I was expecting to be more annoyed with her, but she really gave main character that cares more for the kingdom than the romance, so thanks Tan for focusing on the plot than the romance and for not making Yining useless.
I did go into this expecting to not really enjoy it, especially with how I was kinda meh after rereading the first book. I think this is a more acceptable sequel than her last duology's.
thank you to little brown books for young readers and netgalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a great conclusion to Never Ever After. Yining is back home. She is settling in with her family and her people. She is learning the customs and traditions of her people. It is a world that is so unlike the Iron Mountains that she grew up in. While she is settling in, she juggles her feelings and her vow to Jin to help him save his people and his land. And then there's Prince Zixin. Both these male characters are complex. Jin is noble in his quest to save his land; no one can fault him for that. Yining still struggles with trusting him after he made her make the vow to help him. The Prince is ready to fight his sister back for the Kingdom that is rightfully his. Could his story be a redemption arc? After all he did? Has he learned from the past? Can a person really change?
Is this a fantasy with romance? Or a romantasy? I can't really say. I do know that I loved the story. I loved the setting. I loved this conclusion.
I received this egalley from NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers., and Hatchette book group. I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own.
Is this a fantasy with romance? Or a romantasy? I can't really say. I do know that I loved the story. I loved the setting. I loved this conclusion.
I received this egalley from NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers., and Hatchette book group. I was under no obligation to give a review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I came to Never Ever After knowing that I enjoyed the author's Celestial Kingdom series and the first book in this duology caught my interest, now this second book lives up to the start of the tale. For Ever More gives Yining, her family, the young men vying for her romantically, and even her kingdom a forever more. The story starts with her return to her homeland, but with so much still unresolved, she is pulled to adventure across the lands. Magic, dragons, and more peril make this YA fantasy an entertaining read. Anyone caught up in the characters and fairytale exploits after the first book will surely find that things are wrapped up quite nicely in the sequel and those holding off until they can binge the entire tale now have the chance to enjoy Yining's story start to finish.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Happiness is a new book from Sue Lynn Tan.
There’s something so truly transportive about Sue’s books, and no matter how many I read, I’m always ready for more. I feel like I’m being immersed in a deeply magical world where anything is possible.
As always, this duology from Ta is incredibly skilled in its plotting: alliances shift, betrayals undermine our heroine, love interests show up and others are revealed to be troubling.
Yining is a uniquely conniving heroine for Tan, as she willingly jumps into court politics, schemes and lies, but while she certainly seeks to save herself, she’s still like other Tan heroines in looking out for the greater good.
I honestly don’t care much about the story’s connections to Cinderella. The carp and its significance in that tale are important of course, but I find the story compelling in its own right and I’m not sure the added detail of it being a retelling is really even needed as a hook.
I finished this book with the biggest smile on my face. I hope to always have such incredible books about magical lands to look forward to.
There’s something so truly transportive about Sue’s books, and no matter how many I read, I’m always ready for more. I feel like I’m being immersed in a deeply magical world where anything is possible.
As always, this duology from Ta is incredibly skilled in its plotting: alliances shift, betrayals undermine our heroine, love interests show up and others are revealed to be troubling.
Yining is a uniquely conniving heroine for Tan, as she willingly jumps into court politics, schemes and lies, but while she certainly seeks to save herself, she’s still like other Tan heroines in looking out for the greater good.
I honestly don’t care much about the story’s connections to Cinderella. The carp and its significance in that tale are important of course, but I find the story compelling in its own right and I’m not sure the added detail of it being a retelling is really even needed as a hook.
I finished this book with the biggest smile on my face. I hope to always have such incredible books about magical lands to look forward to.
September 21, 2026
Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review!
I think I enjoyed this more than Never Ever After! There was just so much more to explore: Mist Island, Thorn Valley, etc. Yining finding her family was so touching, and I'm glad that it took time to develop the relationships instead of them being fully formed from the first meeting. It's incredible how far she's come since her days being a fraudulent fortune teller.
Jin was probably my favorite character, though! His resolve and support were so comforting. Zixin was a cheeky character and I never knew what would come next from him!
I was a little annoyed by Yining's back and forth in the beginning of the book, but it was understandable, even if I thought she was being a little . From the first book, I was a little confused about the rings. It's more clear now, but I still have some questions:
I also thought the pacing was a little uneven. The first third of the book was a little slow, and the last third of the book was extremely fast paced. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing more of the world, getting to know our characters better, meeting new faces, and joining Yining on her quest.
If you enjoyed Never Ever After, you won't want to miss the conclusion of Yining's story in For Ever More!
I think I enjoyed this more than Never Ever After! There was just so much more to explore: Mist Island, Thorn Valley, etc. Yining finding her family was so touching, and I'm glad that it took time to develop the relationships instead of them being fully formed from the first meeting. It's incredible how far she's come since her days being a fraudulent fortune teller.
Jin was probably my favorite character, though! His resolve and support were so comforting. Zixin was a cheeky character and I never knew what would come next from him!
I was a little annoyed by Yining's back and forth in the beginning of the book, but it was understandable, even if I thought she was being a little . From the first book, I was a little confused about the rings. It's more clear now, but I still have some questions:
I also thought the pacing was a little uneven. The first third of the book was a little slow, and the last third of the book was extremely fast paced. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing more of the world, getting to know our characters better, meeting new faces, and joining Yining on her quest.
If you enjoyed Never Ever After, you won't want to miss the conclusion of Yining's story in For Ever More!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This was a solid conclusion to the Never Ever After duology. I was a bit worried going into this because I felt like I forgot a lot of the plot in the first book, but once I started reading my memory was jogged about the characters and events. It was really nice to return to the worldbuilding. I enjoyed the fantasy aspects with the kingdoms, magic, and dragons. I do think the plot could've been paced better because it felt a little slow/uneven at times. The plot was also a bit predictable overall. A good duology as a whole, but the plot could've been stronger. I also would've liked to see a bit more character development/background about Jin. Perhaps not the most memorable YA fantasy read but it was enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
For Ever More was such a great sequel and a wonderful return to this world. I was so excited to be back with these characters, and the story completely pulled me in again.
I loved getting to see the story continue and watching the characters and relationships develop even further. The fantasy, mythology, romance, and emotion all came together so well, and Sue Lynn Tan’s writing was just as beautiful as I remembered.
This was everything I wanted from a sequel. I loved being back in this world, loved where the story took us, and honestly didn’t want it to end. An easy 5 stars and I can’t wait to pick up a physical copy!
I loved getting to see the story continue and watching the characters and relationships develop even further. The fantasy, mythology, romance, and emotion all came together so well, and Sue Lynn Tan’s writing was just as beautiful as I remembered.
This was everything I wanted from a sequel. I loved being back in this world, loved where the story took us, and honestly didn’t want it to end. An easy 5 stars and I can’t wait to pick up a physical copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers ARC via NetGalley
For Ever More by Sue Lynn Tan
🌟🌟🌟🌟.75
I must admit, I clearly didn't pay attention to the fact that this was not a standalone nor was it book 1. That being said, I didn't even feel a little bit lost when brought into this world.
The storyline itself felt similar to other books, but a girl knows what a girl wants to read! The pacing, to e, felt formulaic. Though slower in some parts, it felt intentional.
I am very satisfied with this book, just as it is.
For Ever More by Sue Lynn Tan
🌟🌟🌟🌟.75
I must admit, I clearly didn't pay attention to the fact that this was not a standalone nor was it book 1. That being said, I didn't even feel a little bit lost when brought into this world.
The storyline itself felt similar to other books, but a girl knows what a girl wants to read! The pacing, to e, felt formulaic. Though slower in some parts, it felt intentional.
I am very satisfied with this book, just as it is.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A perfect ending to a beautiful duology. As soon as I finished Never Ever After, I was itching to read the second book. Just like with the first book, once I started reading, the story and the characters completely captivated me. Yining is such a well-written character, with her own unique personality and motivations. While I enjoyed the romance aspect to it, I am thankful that it wasn’t the driving force behind her actions and story. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys magic and fantasy. The world building was rich and the characters were masterfully written.
September 22, 2026
Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for an Advanced Reader Copy.
The sequel to Never Ever After is an adventurous, fast-paced read that gives the series more meaning than just a Cinderella retelling. You can’t help but be drawn into Sue Lynn Tan’s signature lyrical prose, the magical world building, and that feeling of escaping into a book.
The sequel to Never Ever After is an adventurous, fast-paced read that gives the series more meaning than just a Cinderella retelling. You can’t help but be drawn into Sue Lynn Tan’s signature lyrical prose, the magical world building, and that feeling of escaping into a book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This title picks up right where Never Ever After left off! It was a wonderful sequel that brought both new elements and characters while neatly wrapping up the existing arcs. I loved following Yining and Jin to their happily ever after!
Want to Read
April 13, 2026I know is endgame—and yet...
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