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sabrinz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The story and the mystery and lore of this neon-drenched world is more than fascinating, this book lost me a bit with how jumpy some of the story seemed to be. The tournamet Calla and Anton participate in is the main device to get them both closer to their respective goals and each other, but it seemed more like a story device to move things along rather than something that was really intigrated into the world.
Nevertheless, I was hooked by the world-building and glimpes of the characters we got along the way as well as some sneak peeks at things that may be relevant later on.
I am still not quite certain if I'm on board with how unhinged all the characters seem to be, but it was enjoyable to read and shake my head at them.
I will definitely read book 2 to see where this is going, esp. with that ending :)
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Trafficking and Death of parent
trips's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
1) world building was alright but its pushed so often into the middle of scenes it gets really awkward and its easy to forget about what is even going on (this even happens in spicier scenes, it is very weird).
2) The body hopping/magic system of this world did not get enough explanation. The explanations about body invading was overall just quite strange, they seemed like Gong forgot to expand on how it works and was like "oh yeah I forgot to explain that, I'll do it here," in the weirdest spots throughout the book. I couldn't get behind it.
I do think its important coming into this book that it is inspired by Antony and Cleopatra, but it is certainly not a retelling. Anton and Calla are obsessive about each other and their relationship is pretty messy. That is about it in terms of similarities though.
Regardless of the above critiques, it is a pretty fun, easy read with some exciting twists. The last line of the book may leave you like :O! too hahaha
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Child death and Sexual content
Minor: Trafficking
renewed_reader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content and Police brutality
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and War
soryualan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I loved the writing and loved how immersive it is. The story has some plot holes, I was so engaged with it that I didn't mind. The whole book feels like a dystopian Korean/Japanese/Movie. I loved it. I can't wait for the sequel.
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Trafficking
abby_can_read's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was quite the book. I don't really know how to explain my feelings. I think it was interesting. I liked the magic system. The worldbuilding and the lore were interest. I struggled to like the main characters -- Calla, Anton, and August -- and I'm wasn't the best fan of the romance between Calla and Anton.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, and Injury/Injury detail
memreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Trafficking
axel_p's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Trafficking, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
_andviolet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Immortal Longings reminded me why I loved Chloe Gong's writing. Her descriptive world building is perfect for those that like to really dig into the pseudohistorical/background information of the plot elements, and for those like that me that imagine what it would look like as a show or movie. It's an omnipresent POV, following the important characters like we're watching a play unravel, just as it's inspired source does.
Quite obsessed with the love between the leads Calla and Anton- they're a perfectly dangerous and hot pair that actually are on an even playing field, which only makes me more devastated that I'll have to wait an entire year for the sequel. Calling all serious angst lovers, the ending truly destroyed me.
Anyways, if you like badass couples that are at each others throats, but would also kill for each other, then you'll love this book!
Be warned, there's tons of injury detail/body horror/almost gory descriptions, so read with caution!
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Trafficking
kdailyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Terminal illness, Trafficking, and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
aileron's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, and Classism