Immortal Longings

By: Chloe Gong

Narrated by: Jeena Yi

A NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER

Chloe Gong’s adult epic fantasy debut, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, is a “smart, imaginative, and brutal” (Wesley Chu, New York Times bestselling author of The War Arts Saga) collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.

Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches.

Princess Calla Tuoleimi lurks in hiding. Five years ago, a massacre killed her parents and left the palace of Er empty…and she was the one who did it. Before King Kasa’s forces in San can catch her, she plans to finish the job and bring down the monarchy. Her reclusive uncle always greets the victor of the games, so if she wins, she finally gets her opportunity to kill him.

Enter Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat. His childhood love has lain in a coma since they were both ousted from the palace, and he’s deep in debt trying to keep her alive. Thankfully, he’s one of the best jumpers in the kingdom, flitting from body to body at will. His last chance at saving her is entering the games and winning.

Calla finds both an unexpected alliance with Anton and help from King Kasa’s adopted son, August, who wants to mend Talin’s ills. But the three of them have very different goals, even as Calla and Anton’s partnership spirals into something all-consuming. Before the games close, Calla must decide what she’s playing for—her lover or her kingdom.

©2022 Chloe Gong (P)2022 Simon & Schuster Audio

It's not terrible, but not good

it was kind of disappointing. I struggled to finished this book honestly, the only reason I did is because my girlfriend was reading with me. There were many potholes. the city is poorly described just a dump filled with a dump to summarize. The ending felt lazy and disappointing as well.

Well crafted story and Ended exceptionally well

This had a very slow start and it was hard to get into but somewhere in the middle it p;icked up and it just got very very good! Chloe Gong is a master at taking you to the place where it is happening and you feel the battles and the loving that the characters are going through. The narration is a bit one-noted but it was fine.

Hunger Games in a City

This fell flat for me. Too many POV in a short book. Maybe if it was a bit longer with more back story on the characters that flipped back and forth to it would have helped to connect with them. At one point one side character had something happen that would have been more tragic (which I believe was the goal to adding) but they seemed to just appear to be taken out. The ending had a bit more punch to it but considering it was the cliffhanger to lead you to the sequel it needed something a bit surprising, but I’m not sure I will follow it to find out the ending.

It got better towards the end

It was slow to start but picked up at the end. I was left wanting more. The narration was just okay.

The premise of the book is good

I found it confusing and hard to follow I’m still not sure I understand the book

Wow! I loved this!

I thought this book was really well written. It could have gone one way but really had me surprised at the end. I’d recommend to anyone who likes sci-fi with a romance sub plot.

Not great, but not bad

The performance of this story was great, and I enjoyed the pace.

I liked the story okay. It took me awhile to get into it at first. If The Hunger Games and the Netflix show Altered Carbon had a love child, this would be it.

The big fight-to-the-death game is interesting, and there were plenty of moments where I was listening intently to figure out what happened. There were also times when I felt like the inconsistent narrators made the plot confusing to follow and took me out of the mindset of the “game”.

While I’m on the narrators…maybe it’s just because it’s being performed and not physically read, I felt so confused by the many POV’s throughout the story. Some carry through and some don’t. It really made me disconnect with the two (three?) main characters. Maybe there’s more separation in the actual book.

I think Anton was my favorite character, but I wish we got more insight into him. I wanted to see more of his earlier relationships to connect with him more. I have the same issue with the other two main characters, I feel like I hardly know them after the end of the story.

The enemies-to-lovers relationship I feel happened abruptly, but we were rewarded with a spicy scene because of it, so I’m not complaining!

There were two big plot twists that were interesting, and one of those is right at the end. So beware that this story ends on a major cliffhanger.

I’ll be reading book 2 to figure out what happens after that illegal cliff!

Overall, it’s a solid 3⭐️ for me.
One very well done spicy scene so it earns 2🌶️ from me for that.

slow start but picked up for the end

i had a hard time differentiating who the voice actor was portraying in povs until i could piece together the names but otherwise they did a good job. the story was a slow start but i got into it and ended up really enjoying it!! very excited for the next one.

An Unexpected Great Story

It took me awhile to really get a taste for Calla and Anton. And as I read on I was glad that Chloe Gong wrote such a heroine and cast of characters that really makes you root for and sometimes against. I rarely read books with leads like that. I also really liked and started to depend on the secondary and other character POV’s. They were really nice touches and helped me to better understand the world and what motivates the characters. The world of Talin is quick, dangerous and full of wrong turns. The characters only add to that danger, no matter which side they’re on. This was such an unexpected 5 stars for me. The morals and ethics of the characters decisions had me not wanting to continue on. But once I got settled into the world I realized there was more to find out, more depths to these characters. The world itself is heartbreaking, nothing and no one is safe, even the Antony and Cleopatra inspired relationship. This is my first book by Chloe Gong and I am a fan!!

Great Anthony & Cleopatra Retelling!

🌆 𝙄𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙇𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 🌃
𝖢𝗁𝗅𝗈𝖾 𝖦𝗈𝗇𝗀

This book gave me Hunger Games vibes, but a grown up version with more blood and a bit more romance. This is a dystopian romance that is an Anthony & Cleopatra retelling as well. This had a lot of action, angst, mystery and swords. This also the first book in what will be the Flesh and False Gods series. The narration was great and I was definitely drawn in!

Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will flock to its capital twin cities, San-Er, where the palace hosts a set of games. For those confident enough in their ability to jump between bodies, competitors across San-Er fight to the death to win unimaginable riches. Princess Calla Tuoleimi lurks in hiding. Five years ago, a massacre killed her parents and left the palace of Er empty…and she was the one who did it. Before King Kasa’s forces in San can catch her, she plans to finish the job and bring down the monarchy. Enter Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat. His childhood love has lain in a coma since they were both ousted from the palace, and he’s deep in debt trying to keep her alive. Calla finds an unexpected alliance with Anton and help from King Kasa’s adopted son, August, who wants more for the Kingdom. Before the games close, Calla must decide what she’s playing for—her lover or her kingdom.

This was a great read, definitely action packed and an interesting world has been created in this first installment. I will anxiously be awaiting the second book….this was definitely left us with a bit of a cliff hanger!