dramnath's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
paytondewitt's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sarahweyand's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.25
Thanks to Gallery / Saga Press and NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
I was in the minority of people who didn't love These Violent Delights, so I'm happy to say I liked this book more than her debut! I will also say that this book ended on a pretty big cliffhanger that actually upped my rating by a quarter of a star, although I'm still undecided if I'll continue with the series.
I think this is a very standard fantasy novel. It is far less heavy on the romance than the synopsis and marketing would imply, though it's definitely there, but that was honestly fine for me. I really loved the concept of the magic system and using qi as the essence of the magic. There are so many chances for this series to be a hit as it progresses.
With that being said, I think the weakest part of Gong's books is the worldbuilding, consistently. I didn't feel drawn in or captivated by San-Er, despite the fact that it's a really cool setting. The book centers around politics, but we never get a good idea of what's actually going on; the main antagonist is never characterized as more than a generic Big Bad. I was hoping the games in the synopsis would have the same tension and atmosphere as The Hunger Games, but I never felt like there were any real stakes.
Overall a mixed bag, but the potential is really there on this one.
I was in the minority of people who didn't love These Violent Delights, so I'm happy to say I liked this book more than her debut! I will also say that this book ended on a pretty big cliffhanger that actually upped my rating by a quarter of a star, although I'm still undecided if I'll continue with the series.
I think this is a very standard fantasy novel. It is far less heavy on the romance than the synopsis and marketing would imply, though it's definitely there, but that was honestly fine for me. I really loved the concept of the magic system and using qi as the essence of the magic. There are so many chances for this series to be a hit as it progresses.
With that being said, I think the weakest part of Gong's books is the worldbuilding, consistently. I didn't feel drawn in or captivated by San-Er, despite the fact that it's a really cool setting. The book centers around politics, but we never get a good idea of what's actually going on; the main antagonist is never characterized as more than a generic Big Bad. I was hoping the games in the synopsis would have the same tension and atmosphere as The Hunger Games, but I never felt like there were any real stakes.
Overall a mixed bag, but the potential is really there on this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
hollysbookadventure's review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- 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? No
5.0
I picked up Immortal Longing as my BOTM for July! I really enjoyed These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong, and was excited to read an adult book by her.
I am unfamiliar with the details of Antony and Cleopatra, so I went into this fantasy book that was inspired by Antony and Cleopatra completly blind I had no expectations on what to expect regarding character behaviors or plot.
I thought body jumping such a cool thing. It's an interesting idea - are the body and mind separate, and if so, what is the self? In Immortal longings, the mind is the self and the body is just a tool or vessel. It is something that can be discarded, or changed at any moment
I would love to know what it's like to be a person who's body has been jumped. Is their consciousness still there, under the the jumpers oppressive qi? None of the characters we get POV's from are ever jumped into, so we don't get to see it.
I really liked this book. I thought the blood bath style competition had enough variety, that it didn't get tedious. This book was full of action and tenderness, Longing and desire.
There is such a good set up for the next few books. Although the competition is over, there's so much to continue to explore and for the political changes to come in. And I don't think San-Er will be seeing peace anytime soon
I am unfamiliar with the details of Antony and Cleopatra, so I went into this fantasy book that was inspired by Antony and Cleopatra completly blind I had no expectations on what to expect regarding character behaviors or plot.
I thought body jumping such a cool thing. It's an interesting idea - are the body and mind separate, and if so, what is the self? In Immortal longings, the mind is the self and the body is just a tool or vessel. It is something that can be discarded, or changed at any moment
I would love to know what it's like to be a person who's body has been jumped. Is their consciousness still there, under the the jumpers oppressive qi? None of the characters we get POV's from are ever jumped into, so we don't get to see it.
I really liked this book. I thought the blood bath style competition had enough variety, that it didn't get tedious. This book was full of action and tenderness, Longing and desire.
There is such a good set up for the next few books. Although the competition is over, there's so much to continue to explore and for the political changes to come in. And I don't think San-Er will be seeing peace anytime soon
whatsheread's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The first thing you should know about Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong is that it is not for those squeamish about blood and violence. There are enough gory fighting scenes to tempt the blood-thirstiest reader. Personally, I love a good, bloody scene. I like when authors are willing to put their characters through hell and are not afraid to capture the action in detail. To me, doing so adds depth to the characters because such scenes show the limits of a character's morality, that line in the sand that no one should cross without consequences. Ms. Gong does this with aplomb to Calla and Anton, and the novel is better as a result.
The second thing you should know about Immortal Longings is that when your main cast can jump into other bodies, you should not trust anything you read. Even Calla and Anton have an identifying phrase to indicate when Anton is in a new body. There is so much happening during the story that what you see on the surface is only a glimpse of the truth. Like any good author, Ms. Gong only shows you what she wants you to see. From the first page to the last, she is stingy with her reveals, making you and the characters work for each one. As each reveal peels back another layer of this intricate story, you are more than happy to do that work.
Any story inspired by Antony and Cleopatra is bound to be filled with political intrigues and plots within plots. Once again, Ms. Gong does not disappoint by staying true to her inspiration. Immortal Longings stays true to its inspiration. Calla has her plans. Anton has his, and August also has plans for the kingdom. That they decide to join forces is in no way a deterrence to their objectives. Half the fun of the novel is watching them trying to achieve their individual aims while maintaining their partnership. It is an understatement to say that it gets complicated, but that's what makes Immortal Longings so good.
The setting of Immortal Longings is a character in its own right. The entire novel occurs in and around twin cities that have somehow morphed into one ginormous city called San-Er. This city is a fantastic example of what life could be like should climate change adversely affect rural areas and force everyone to live in cities. What Ms. Gong describes is chilling in its clarity. The sheer volume of people stacked on top of people stacked on top of people renting rooms in buildings because of a lack of money. The filth and the cacophony are visceral. The conjoined cities make for some fantastic chase scenes, but Ms. Gong makes it very clear that no one should ever have to live that way.
I consider Ms. Gong's foray into adult fiction a major success. Immortal Longings has an abundance of great things with no downsides. With a mysterious and complex plot combined with pacing that is the perfect balance between action and development, the characters become the stars of the show with their thorough background stories and the insights we receive into their thoughts. The ending left me gasping and broken-hearted. With a publication date of 18 July 2023, make sure you get your hands on a copy of Immortal Longings because I guarantee you will be seeing it on year-end best lists in December!
aashi_'s review
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
lexireed's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shlbymr's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
The third person present tense style of writing took a minute to settle into, as did the story itself. But it really picked up about 2/3 of the way through and the ending was fabulous! Very excited for the next installment of this series.
wafflereads's review
3.0
This is my first book of Chloe Gong and before getting my copy I have read so many mixed reviews on Immortal Longings as well as on her other works so I went in on this with very low expectations. The first 8-9 chaptes were kind of dull for me as it was just information overload. She went through so much info dumping about the whole kingdom and city, that I kind of dozed off. But it did get better once the actual bloodbath of the games has occured. One thing I can say is Chloe Gong knows how to enthrall you with the whole action and plot once it actually gets to the actual plot of the story. I was enjoying it all and was rooting for Calla and Anton. August, as character, was giving me major red flags but oh boy do I love him. I just want to get more into his characterization and depth. And that ending! Ooooh I have so many questions. Hopefully the next novel doesn't take too long as I really want to know what happens next!