lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I received this as part of my FairyLoot subscription.
"Immortal Longings" is the first book in a new fantasy series from Chloe Gong. Princess Calla Tuoleimi has been hiding in plain sight for five years. Her entire family was murdered, and she was the one to do it. Now she has one last family member to bring down, and she has one shot to be able to do so. Every year, the kingdom of Talin hosts a competition in which people who can jump bodies are invited to come and compete to the death to win unimaginable riches. The winner also gets to meet the elusive king, Calla's uncle. Through unexpected alliances, Calla finds herself fighting to win this game, but she learns quickly that everyone has their own motivations, and they all might not align.
I had heard about this book, and was interested because it was another Shakespeare retelling, but I honestly was not going to pick it up because I did not enjoy Chloe Gong's previous duet, "These Violent Delights". However, since I did receive a copy of it, I figured I would give it a shot. Overall, I did enjoy this book more than "These Violent Delights", but I am still not a huge fan of Chloe Gong's writing style.
This novel felt very futuristic with its technologies and characters fighting in this game, which is typically not a setting I really enjoy; however, I think it was executed well. The characters seemed fleshed out, but I just did not connect with them. There is something about them that feels standoffish, and it makes it difficult for me to read and become invested in their story. I think it might be because of the jumping bodies plot point. Since characters can jump, their physical descriptions are always changing, and it felt kind of messy to me. I really had to pay attention to whose perspective I was reading from.
I likely will not continue with this series, but I will happily recommend this to people who ae interested in this type of fantasy.
"Immortal Longings" is the first book in a new fantasy series from Chloe Gong. Princess Calla Tuoleimi has been hiding in plain sight for five years. Her entire family was murdered, and she was the one to do it. Now she has one last family member to bring down, and she has one shot to be able to do so. Every year, the kingdom of Talin hosts a competition in which people who can jump bodies are invited to come and compete to the death to win unimaginable riches. The winner also gets to meet the elusive king, Calla's uncle. Through unexpected alliances, Calla finds herself fighting to win this game, but she learns quickly that everyone has their own motivations, and they all might not align.
I had heard about this book, and was interested because it was another Shakespeare retelling, but I honestly was not going to pick it up because I did not enjoy Chloe Gong's previous duet, "These Violent Delights". However, since I did receive a copy of it, I figured I would give it a shot. Overall, I did enjoy this book more than "These Violent Delights", but I am still not a huge fan of Chloe Gong's writing style.
This novel felt very futuristic with its technologies and characters fighting in this game, which is typically not a setting I really enjoy; however, I think it was executed well. The characters seemed fleshed out, but I just did not connect with them. There is something about them that feels standoffish, and it makes it difficult for me to read and become invested in their story. I think it might be because of the jumping bodies plot point. Since characters can jump, their physical descriptions are always changing, and it felt kind of messy to me. I really had to pay attention to whose perspective I was reading from.
I likely will not continue with this series, but I will happily recommend this to people who ae interested in this type of fantasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Violence, Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, and Death
Moderate: Child death
_andviolet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
If Squid Games was televised like the Hunger Games, set in a somewhat Neo-HongKong/ Ba Sing Se-esque city state with it's citizens having a special Sci-fi power thrown in; this was a wild story start to finish.
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Body horror, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, and Trafficking
More...