This is like a mashup of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra's story with some resemblance to The Hunger Games. It's got power plays, deadly games, and some romance thrown in! The story follows Princess Calla, who's out for revenge after her parent's massacre. She's determined to bring down the monarchy and gets tangled up with Anton, an exiled aristocrat. Then there's August, the adoptive son of the king, who's a bit of a mystery. Calla and Anton's relationship is quite a ride from rivals to lovers. Chloe Gong's writing is fantastic, with an incredible world and twisty plot. However, some parts could use some editing to tighten things up. Overall, it's an exciting read! I can't wait for the next one!

My rating: 4.5/5

Chloe Gong does it again. Is anyone surprised? I have been Chloe’s number one fan since I read an ARC of These Violent Delights way back when (review for that here). I was so extremely lucky to snag an eARC of this one (thank you thank you thank you Simon & Schuster). And here it comes. The most important sentence in this entire review. Prepare yourself. Those of you who follow me on other platforms know how much this means. Here it is: This is my favorite Chloe Gong book since These Violent Delights. If you are not a Chloe fan, for context she has two other full length novels and one novella collection excluding the two previously mentioned.

This one is definitely an adult book. It is spicyyyy. I loved it but if that is not your thing (or if you are a youngling) maybe skip this one.

Speaking of spicy, the romance! The tension! The banter! The forced proximity! The passion! I could go on forever. Chloe has described this one as being enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers… And it is already living up to that in the first installment. Is it the healthiest relationship? No, probably not. Is is extremely hot and compelling to read? Yes, yes it is.

Chloe yet again slays with her cast of characters. Calla Tuoleimi joins my list of Chloe Gong characters I want to marry (along with Juliette and Celia, if you are wondering). She is single-mindedly set on her revenge and I, as a supporter of women’s wrongs, was so here for it. She is the actual definition of a warrior and that makes her and Anton a battle couple!! Fave trope, and I feel like it’s rare (??) Just me? I feel like it’s always one character who knows how to fight (and why is it always the guy?), but Calla and Anton are both incredible fighters.

I was neutral on Anton at first but he really grew on me. This is definitely an example of this one fell first but this one fell harder and I will leave it to you to read and find out who is who. Anton does not have access to his birth body, so he spends all of his time in other people’s bodies. Calla, on the other hand, avoids jumping. The contrast just adds yet another layer to their relationship.

Our final pov character is August. I liked him for most of the book and then I very quickly did not and now I love to hate him. All of these characters are beautifully complicated, but, while he is my least favorite, I do think August is the most compelling to me. I can’t say why without too many spoilers, unfortunately. (but dm me if you’ve read it and want to talk (about anything but especially August)).

Speaking of, definitely stay away from this if you are squeamish with blood. This one does involve a game where 88 people kill each other until there is only one standing so… yeah, there’s a lot of murder.

Let’s talk about the magic system. Personally, I have never read anything like it. The basic idea is that people can ‘jump’ into another body. As in their consciousness or soul, referred to as qi, can invade someone else’s body. Certain people have stronger jumping abilities than others. And some very rare people cannot be invaded but are able to invade others. The only indication of who is in a body is the color of their eyes. It was so interesting to think about a world where you might not recognize the faces of your friends or family on a certain day. How much of your identity is attached to your body and how would that be different in a world like this? What if your body was the one invaded? What would happen if someone else decided to permanently live in your body and there was nothing you can do? (New irrational fear unlocked). It is endlessly fascinating to me and there are so many possibilities for where Chloe could take this for the rest of the series, I can’t wait to see how it evolves and what it will mean for our characters.

Now, why the half star deduction you ask? The singular complaint I have about Immortal Longings is that the first 60%-70% of it is a bit slow. At first, it needs to be slow to allow you to get a firmer grasp on the world before being thrown into the plot, but there’s a bit of a gap where I felt that I knew the world enough but there was a bit of a lag before the plot really picked up. There was still plenty of action (and as I’ve previously said, I would pay to read Chloe’s grocery lists) so I wasn’t bored per se, but it was a tad slow.

I think this is the longest review I have ever written. I want to give you a trophy for reading to the end. Unless you just skipped down here (don’t blame you I do that all the time). Anyway, I loved Immortal Longings. I laughed, I screamed, I teared up. The only thing I want to read now is the sequel. Alas it does not exist.

3.5 stars

If it weren't for the fact that I absolutely adored These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends, I might have rated this book higher. But maybe not?

There was a lot I liked about this from a descriptive standpoint. I loved the idea of a retelling of Antony and Cleopatra as it is one of the more unusual choices, but it turned out to be more of a story inspired by the characters of Antony and Cleopatra, rather than a story inspired by their world and their story. I also thought the body-jumping idea was very unique, although that opens a can of worms when it comes to consent. But if it is the normal culture of a nation--well, maybe? For something that was illegal, there really weren't many consequences from doing it, unless you count getting killed because someone else did it to you. But the biggest consequences of doing it during the games seemed to be that the affected victims (or their families) were supposedly compensated by the crown. I did like that the author did address this through some conversations, but it wasn't very clear. It was interesting that Calla never jumped, and although her reasons eventually make sense, it still makes you wonder if a person's birth body truly belongs to them in a world like this. From the author's note at the end (which I found very interesting and helpful), the body jumping will be further addressed in books 2 and 3, so I'm looking forward to that.

The plot of the games reminded me a lot of The Hunger Games, which I both enjoyed and hated. Enjoyed because it was intense and I HAD to find out what would happen but hated it because it was so badly edited. This wasn't as bad from an editing standpoint, but I think it could still have used another pass from a good editor. The pacing was uneven, with slow moments of info dumping mixed in with breakneck action. What THG had going for it was that I almost immediately connected with Catniss and I wanted her to survive and succeed. I had a hard time connecting with Anton and Calla, and I think I was meant to not connect with August. But with the ending (which I was both expecting and not expecting) I'm still left wondering. But I would say it took a good 60% before I started caring about Anton and Calla. Anton's past with Otta and August was never compelling enough for me to say, "Okay, I get it." However, once I started understanding Calla's reasons, I started caring about her success. But I was often left with the question, "Okay, so if you can kill the king, then what?" Honestly, the one who thought it through most was someone who seemed like a minor character; whether that will change in the second book is something I will have to wait and see.

Books like this normally take me a day or two to finish, but I ended up taking 11 days, partly because I kept getting enticed away by other books. I'm hoping that Gong will take her time with the next book and get back to what I know she can do--write a compelling story.

One other comment--this book was marketed as her first adult novel, but other than the huge body count and questionable consent issue, it really felt like YA to me. I'm not that tied to genres, so it's not that big a deal, but just something to consider if you don't like YA.

So would I recommend this? Yes, with reservations. I think it's a solid start and I liked it enough that I really want to know what's going to happen next. While the ending was both a surprise and one of those "totally makes sense in the context of the world" it does leave me wanting more. I'm looking forward to the next book, but I hope she takes the time to write and edit the way I know she is capable of doing!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wanted to love this book but I just couldn't. Chloe Gong created a fictional city called San-Er where the royal family hosts games where competitors fight to the death. Obviously this sounds a lot like the hunger games and I would not have a problem with a similar synapsis, but unfortunately this one fell flat. I felt almost bored during the "violent" games. I wanted tension, intrigue, and brutal fighting that showcased the problems in the society but really did not get that. Another issue I had with this book was the info dumping. It felt like page after page all we got was long paragraphs explaining the plot instead of actually showing it. I love the idea of the plot and really wanted to love this, but I just couldn't.

Everyone has likely heard of Chloe Gong at some point. Whether it's by TikTok, or stores spamming customers with her books everywhere or the internet or goodreads, her name is a known one. While some might take the whole "New York Bestselling Author" with a grain of salt (like I sometimes do) I was a bit hesitant at first to pick up one of her books. I check them out, read a page or two and never seem to get into it. I thought it would be the same with her adult debut.

I was wrong and frankly, I am grateful for the advanced copy for sucking me right into the plot. If you've seen Jumper or Squid Game, this book has these vibes. Others claim it has Hunger Games vibes (eh) but anyway, here we go.


Short summary: a killer princess, a power-drunk prince and a body snatching exiled aristocrat team up to topple a king while fighting for their hearts and their lives in a deadly tournament.


Long Summary: 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. 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.


I LOVED this book and am placing my bets on a few things, but frankly, the ending makes you wonder if you read right, if you missed something but most importantly, it creates the beginning of the Immortal Waiting for book 2. Needless to say, Chloe Gong has my respect and if she stays in the adult genre, I will forever be grateful for it.


Overall: 5/5 stars

This was such a twisty, dramatic, intense reimagining, and I loved the detailed, fully-fleshed out world Gong built. A great adult debut!

I was kindly approved for a digital ARC via Netgalley and was also sent a finished copy though all thoughts are my own.

I found myself drawn into this world with the different view points of August, Calla and Anton who are all connected mostly by chance and somewhat by choice but are also complicated.

When Calla is convinced to join a dangerous game held by August every year after he learns that she has been in hiding for the last several years and gives her an offer she can’t refuse, both of their lives are about to change in ways they didn’t see coming especially when Anton also shows up as a player of the games.

Anton has his own reasons for joining this dangerous game in which there can only be one victor and when his main reason is revealed, it broke my heart a bit and also endeared him to me.

When Anton and Calla meet, the tension is high to say the least and it takes quite a bit of convincing from Anton for Calla to team up with him. Then things really start to get interesting and soon the stakes will be even higher with the potential of one or both of them dying in this dangerous game.

Soon both Anton and Calla will have to make a decision on how to move forward, what to do about their growing attractions to each other and that sometimes the most difficult thing you can do is to trust another person.

Full of danger, twists, a liberal dose of tyranny, and complicated love, it kept me on the edge of my seat especially the last one hundred pages of the book. I did not see that ending coming and I can’t wait to read the sequel!

Trigger warnings: death, violence, murder, poverty, corrupt rulers, massacre

Thank you so much to the folks at Gallery/Saga for sending me an eARC and a gorgeous finished copy of Immortal Longings! I first heard about this book in 2021 (I think) at a panel at Yallfest where Chloe Gong was talking about what she was working on now and from the beginning, I was so hooked/excited to read this one.

Immortal Longings 5/5 Stars

Summary from Goodreads:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong’s adult epic fantasy debut.

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra , Immortal Longings is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.

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. Her reclusive uncle always greets the victor of the games, so if she wins, she gets her opportunity at last 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.

I really enjoyed this book! The games, August’s scheming, the underground society, the jumping from body to body, Calla and her secrets, and Anton and his secrets really made me keep wanting to read (even when I probably really should not have been reading). Not giving spoilers, but so many things that ended up happening at the end of the book made me so angry that the book was over, because I wouldn’t be able to know what was about to happen next! As a character, I feel like we didn’t really get to know King Kasa and his “tyrannical ways” didn’t really feel like enough to really understand why the heir to his throne was looking to have him killed- like, yes, he wasn’t helping any of the poor people in San-Er, but when do monarchs actually help the poor people? I could understand why Calla wanted to kill him and I understood Anton’s dislike of him/the monarchy in general as well, but not August’s. In terms of August, Calla, and Anton as characters though, I really liked them and everything they did to move the story along. Watching Anton and Calla together and their banter and everything about them was so fun to read. The game itself didn’t seem super orchestrated/thought out, but at the same time, I feel like that kind of worked? Overall, I really loved Immortal Longings and I cannot wait to read the next book when it comes out! Make sure you grab yourself a copy today!

Read if you like:
🎭 Shakespeare Retellings
📚 Antony and Cleopatras Story
🔭 Sci-Fi
❤️ Romance
⚔️ War

This book absolutely sucked me in and was so action packed!!!!

This one has a double plot that bouncing between absolutely made it so hard to want to put down because of wanting to get back to each pov simultaneously you are wanting to stay where you were and get all the answers!

I feel like the world building was also so well done to the point that it wasn’t overwhelming or boring but gave enough in detail that I felt like I could picture everything as I read .

The Enemies to lovers romance plot was also so well done and as my favorite trope this one definitely knocked it out of the park how it was written!

I truly can’t wait for the next book and hope everyone that reads this review goes and grabs a copy and enjoys it as much as I do!

Thanks so much to Gallery for my ARC of this one! Also, this one is a botm pick so there are so many ways to snag your copy today!

Chloe Gong's Immortal Longings is her adult debut and takes readers into a high-stakes competition where players must kill each other until a sole winner remains. Calla Tuoleimi has been in hiding ever since she murdered her parents in an attempt to start a revolution five years ago. Entering King Kasa's games is her only way to get close enough to the reclusive monarch in order to finish what she started and bring about the change the kingdom of Talin.

Set in a 90's inspired world, the capital city of San-Er used to be ruled by two families before Calla Tuoleimi committed parricide. Now ruled by King Kasa, the city is becoming overly crowded with poverty and crime running rampant in the streets while the nobility live their lives of luxury on the sky-rise floors. The yearly games invite the citizens of San-Er to enter into weeks of ruthless killing until one remains standing and this year, Calla finds herself as one of the chosen players. While the games start off in her favor, things become complicated when she learns of another outcasted noble, Anton Makusa, who is also playing to win.

Chloe Gong is incredibly talented in creating worlds that include complex politics and unlikely allies that strike up a tension-filled temporary truce. Calla enters the game with the plan to win on her own skills but finds herself aided by King Kasa's adopted son, Prince August, providing her with inside intel while she and Anton try not to kill each other. The stakes of the game are raised with the inclusion of jumping, a skill that allows an individual to "jump" into another person's body temporarily as a host. Anton is one of the best jumpers and utilizes this to his advantage as do many of the other players.

Throughout the novel, the recurring theme of revolution and what it means to overthrow a tyrant on the throne is explored as the characters grapple with their own moral compasses. Calla and Anton soon find companionship in each other that expands beyond their initial alliance agreements. As the number of players dwindles, they have to come to terms with where exactly their relationship with each stands in the grand scheme of their original goals. I loved seeing their relationship develop especially with how resistant they are to each other initially. The slow build and tension created a captivating dynamic that kept me hooked, I honestly could not stop reading.

Chlog Gong's first adult novel is immersive in its world-building and storytelling with characters that challenge and question what it means to bring about lasting change for the good of the people. With a cutthroat competition and stakes that seem to climb higher with each chapter, Immortal Longings is a fantastic start to a trilogy that I have no doubt will absolutely crush my heart in the best way possible!

I gave this book a solid try. The world building and character development ultimately fell flat for me. The plot felt very similar to hunger games. I usually like multi POVs but I found the jumping around to be confusing. Not spicy and the romance was not very believable. Not sure why this was classified as an adult book.

This one just wasn’t for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I have read of Chole Gong and I went into it thinking it was fantasy and then realizing it was a dystopian. I don’t hate it but I do wish that books that were dystopian would be advertised as dystopians instead of fantasy’s. Since I went in thinking it was fantasy I was confused at first when reading it and they were talking about all the technology that they had and slowly I realized that this book is a dystopian. Besides that I have enjoyed what I read so far and am excited to see where it goes. I am a little worried to be honest to see how much I enjoy this story but I’m really hoping that the more I get into it the more I enjoy it. Also the magic in this is kinda confusing and while I like it I don’t feel like it was flushed out enough but again that might change when I read more.

“When morning comes, she’ll find Anton Makusa, and they’ll turn the games into a frenzy.”

2.5 stars

It's disappointing and sad when an author whose previous works I loved makes one I don’t. Immortal Longings just wasn’t as engaging for me as the These Violent Delights duology and Foul Lady Fortune were.

The world building was pretty meh. The game itself was underwhelming for a battle royale. I didn't feel the romance between Calla and Anton; it felt forced and rushed. The whole jumping thing gave me an ick. Consent is basically nonexistent in this world and that does not sit well with me. Anyone who has the ability to jump can enter anyone’s body and do whatever they want while inhabiting it. I didn’t feel any attachment to any of the characters. I think the extra POVs were unnecessary and their stories should have just gotten incorporated into the main three characters’ POVs.

Despite my disappointment, I would still read the next one because of the ending but I’m coming in with low expectations. Hopefully, it gets better then.

Thank you Netgalley and Saga Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m learning that Chloe Gong’s writing style is sometimes a hit or miss with me. I adored her Violent Delights duology. I’ve struggled with Foul Lady Fortune but was ecstatic for Immortal Longings, her adult debut. Although I still struggled with some writing issues, I did end up enjoying this one. One of the cool things about Gong’s stories is her ability to draw from Shakespeare in a new and exciting way!

One of the things that I loved about this story was the characters. We have a great set of characters that have so many backgrounds and all have different agendas. You never really know who you can trust or what someone is going to do. I loved that aspect because it kept me on my toes. Anton and Calla were characters that I cannot wait to read more about. They both had some crazy surprises and I am dying for the next book, just because of these two! There are some really morally grey characters, which I also enjoy.

The pacing of this book was really slow to start. It took me a good 35% to actually get into the book. There are some info dumps too. The last 30% of the book was like whiplash and was really quick. I wanted a little more explored there but I think that’s what book two will do for us. I didn’t think this was really an adult read. I think more New Adult than true Adult. There are a lot of things that just read a lot younger and this could just be the writing style. There were a few things that reminded me of The Hunger Games and it got hard to separate at times.

Overall, I really enjoyed the world and characters that Gong created in this one. Just keep in mind that the pacing is a bit off but keep going because the ending is worth it. It is also a very character-driven book and the plot can lag at times because of this. The characters are absolutely amazing and the setup for book two makes you crave it asap!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Gallery/Saga Press for the e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

If you ask me the biggest drawback of science fiction and fantasy novels, I would have to say that it is the world building. Many SFF stories rely on info dumps to get a reader up to speed when they are starting a series. This really bogs things down and I have quit several books because of this.

Immortal Longings has beautiful world building. It is some of the best I have read in a long time. Not only are there no info dumps, but suspense is built into the story as the layers of San-Er society are peeled back. I enjoyed the slow introduction to the “magic” of body jumping and the limitations that came with it. Characters were introduced as they became important to the story and their stories were weaved into the MCs stories adding to this ever-expanding world. Even before the big reveal at the end of this book, I was sure that I have to return to read the rest of this trilogy.

Why only 4 stars if I loved the world building and the story? Because I couldn’t unsee all the parallels to another very popular trilogy about murder games known as The Hunger Games. Did anyone else see it? I won’t list all the similar ideas to avoid coloring your reading experience, but once I saw it, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I did love the twist at the end and I look forward to moving past the games. Hopefully The Hunger Games vibes will be left behind in the next books.

Recommended for: urban fantasy readers; fans of The Hunger Games

Content warning: blood and gore; ultra-violent death; sexual content

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

My problems with this book were twofold. First, it didn't turn out to be either of the two things I was expecting--specifically, either an adult version of an epic YA blockbuster a la Fourth Wing, with great action, worldbuilding, and romance (including some explicit sex), OR an inspired and well-researched Antony and Cleopatra retelling demonstrating deep knowledge and love for the classical history and Shakespeare's play, like The Stars Undying. And while that would have been fine if it had been compelling on its own terms, there was nothing about the writing or the story here that pulled me in and kept my attention. So I'm sorry to say I would not recommend this particular title to new readers as an introduction to Chloe Gong, who I think can write a better book than this, even with readers who would normally prefer adult over YA. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for my honest review!

This is a clever novel and very appealing to a young adult mindset. As a college librarian I have ordered this novel to place on our fiction shelf.

Cover: Gorgeous
Premise: A retelling of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra

I wasn’t sure how I felt about this until the last 100 pages or so when the story SHOWED UP. For most of the book, it felt very technical. I had a hard time connecting to the characters because there was so much information and action and in my opinion not a ton of emotional or visual connection. HOWEVER, all the romance, drama, and emotion FINALLY boiled over in the third act and I can truly say I cannot wait for the next book!

I think I left my heart in the crowded alleys and mashed up buildings of San-Er. Phew, what an ending! But let me start from the beginning.

Immortal Longings is Chloe Gong’s adult debut based on Anthony and Cleopatra. In her style of writing I’ve come to know from her YA historical fantasies, her world building doesn’t disappoint. I loved how she places you in San-Er like it’s in front of you. The constant gloom from lack of sun among the buildings, the hopelessness permeating the air of the citizens who are “safe” (trapped?) inside the giant walls that circle the twin cities, and the ever watchful eye of the palace looming over everything and everyone.

The pacing worked out okay, though at times it could’ve moved faster. With Calla, the lost princess of Er who holds more secrets in her than meets the eye, there is always someone to root for. Entered into the games that leaves only one victor alive, the goal is the end of the current reign. But when an alliance is made with Anton Makusa, oh boy do things get messy.

I loved getting to know both Anton and Calla, but one reason this isn’t a 5 star read is the romance between them. It may be just me but I didn’t really feel drawn to their “strong” feelings for each other. They had great banter, and over time proved that trust does form even in a places it doesn’t belong. However, the two of them falling for each other romantically felt like something that happened only because they don’t have anyone else in the world. They’re both lonely souls, exiled or thought dead, and perhaps each other’s company was the first they’ve had in years. It felt like they settled for one another because they’re there, not because there’s anything special about each other. Plus, Anton has a special girl that threw him into the games in the first place. Are we just forgetting that? Where does Calla lie in his heart if so much of it seems to be taken up by another already? How much is genuine? I suppose only time (and the next book) will tell.

The magic system was also an interesting element. It took me a while to more fully comprehend this idea of jumping bodies, the maximum quota of souls/qi one body can handle simultaneously and what happens to empty bodies or overused ones. Oh, and how does one recognize if someone’s been invaded? Our friend Anton is an expert jumper, but the fact he never wears his birth body is strange.

Where the romance was lacking, the action and mysterious deaths of some of the players in the games definitely kept me going. Everyone’s motives are questioned and I was surprised by some of those twists I didn’t see coming. This book is definitely in the adult category with its sometimes graphic descriptions of death and added spice for those romance lovers. If you’re someone looking for a good fantasy with solid worldbuilding and political intrigue, this one is for you, especially if it introduces you to Chloe Gong. For fans of her YA novels, this transition was as I’ve come to expect from her – a seamless jump to adult fantasy. I look forward to book 2.

Overall Recommendation:

Immortal Longings takes us on a journey into the crowded twin cities of San-Er where mysterious magic underlies perhaps more nefarious motives and no one can be trusted. In a Hunger Games x gladiator style competition to the death, only one victor will be crowned and the lost princess Calla wants it more than anything. I thought the setting drew you in while the bloodthirsty backdrop definitely sets the tone for adult-rated violence. Chloe’s writing continues to paint her stories vividly, but this time in more blood with higher stakes.

Five years ago Princess Calla Tuoleimi killed her parents, the leaders of Er, leaving King Kasa to rule over San-Er the twin capitals of the kingdom of Talin. She is believed to be dead, however, has been living in the city waiting for her opportunity to bring down King Kasa. She has been chosen as one of the 88 citizens to participate in the yearly palace games to win a monetary prize that will leave the winner set for life and more importantly to Calla the victor receives face time with King Kasa. In a fight where only one can be left standing, she finds unexpected allies with Anton Makusa who was exiled from the palace years ago and August who is King Kasa’s adopted son.

I enjoyed the overall story, but had a difficult time getting into it and found myself struggling to get the feeling of not wanting to stop reading. The book has a lot of background that is being built up and I found it to sometimes be confusing and it caused me to lose interest a few times. Overall, I thought the concept was very interesting and the ending left me wanting to know where the next book will go.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!