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bookish_selkie 's review for:
Immortal Longings
by Chloe Gong
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Immortal Longings is the highly anticipated adult debut from Chloe Gong!! I love Chloe Gong’s YA books and her adult debut was equally as incredible. It is a Cleopatra and Anthony retelling, with a focus more on them as characters than the plot from Shakespeare. Calla is a princess whose main goal is to kill the secluded king. With the help of her cousin, she’ll have one shot at him at the winner’s ceremony of the annual games. First, she has to actually win the games. In the deadly competition she meets Anton, who she forms a reluctant partnership with. When the games conclude, who/what will Calla choose to protect?
I couldn’t put Immortal Longings down! The world-building was fascinating from the beginning, especially the close quarters and vertical mapping of the buildings. I appreciated how much research Gong did and that this was inspired from Hong Kong’s Kowloon Walled City in the 1990s. Although this is fantasy, real issues of poverty and inequality are highlighted and cause serious challenges, such as unfathomable medical debt. The magic system was very creative! It felt really well thought out and comprehensive. There are lots of clever details and consequences that befall users who use it incorrectly. I can’t wait to see how this is expanded upon in book two.
Immortal Longings had great pacing, with plenty of action scenes that flow together seamlessly. Calla and Anton have such good chemistry and banter. I couldn't look away as they went from enemies to reluctant allies to lovers back to enemies. It was angsty in the best way!! Anton and Calla are definitely both new favorite love interests. The scenes were so vivid, especially the confrontational scenes between Calla and Anton. The conclusion was excellent and theatrical- it'll leave readers on the edge of their seats! I’m really looking forward to seeing where Chloe Gong takes the story next, especially the magic system and world-building!
Thank you so much to Chloe Gong, Gallery/Saga Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn’t put Immortal Longings down! The world-building was fascinating from the beginning, especially the close quarters and vertical mapping of the buildings. I appreciated how much research Gong did and that this was inspired from Hong Kong’s Kowloon Walled City in the 1990s. Although this is fantasy, real issues of poverty and inequality are highlighted and cause serious challenges, such as unfathomable medical debt. The magic system was very creative! It felt really well thought out and comprehensive. There are lots of clever details and consequences that befall users who use it incorrectly. I can’t wait to see how this is expanded upon in book two.
Immortal Longings had great pacing, with plenty of action scenes that flow together seamlessly. Calla and Anton have such good chemistry and banter. I couldn't look away as they went from enemies to reluctant allies to lovers back to enemies. It was angsty in the best way!! Anton and Calla are definitely both new favorite love interests. The scenes were so vivid, especially the confrontational scenes between Calla and Anton. The conclusion was excellent and theatrical- it'll leave readers on the edge of their seats! I’m really looking forward to seeing where Chloe Gong takes the story next, especially the magic system and world-building!
Thank you so much to Chloe Gong, Gallery/Saga Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.