I spent most of book one being a little confused and, unfortunately, spent a bit more time being confused during book two. Some of the magic seemed to be different in this book, and there was definitely a bigger background plot happening. It's an interesting concept, but I struggled to feel attached to the characters, possibly due to the body hopping, and that made it more difficult to move through the plot. This just might not be for me.

Thanks to Saga Press and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

I loved this book so so much!!

I always thought this series was a duology so I was so confused when the plot was not resolving itself towards the end. I kept looking at how far through the book I was, and I kept wondering how Chloe was gonna wrap it all up in less than 10% . This definitely contributed to my experience of the book though, I was so shocked at every plot twist and that ending??? Jaw dropped. gob smacked. everything you name it.

The tension between calla and anton was immaculate. I loved it so much, it was all very imgonnagetyouback coded. and the way he called her princess made me giggle every single time.

August and Galipei didn't get enough page time. I was rooting for them the whole time, I kinda dislike august but Galipei deserves better,

I loved the plot, i would arguably say i liked it more than the plot in IL. The whole lore about sigils and sinoa was mindblowing and i was left maing a permanent woah face.

I am a number one otta hater for life!!! Every time she opened her gob, I wanted to smack her into the next dimension to tell her to shut up. Chloe did a very good job of writing her character tho (as usual!!)

And as per usual, Mao Mao stole the show!!! I had to bookmark every scene that he was present because he's just that ✨ iconic ✨.

It took me a long time to get into Mortal Longings…Vilest Things was like the story digested speed…It was a quick pace, constant plot twist kind of story. We left off in ML’s when Calla took the podium with King August…only it wasn’t August. Now characters who had no depth to them in the first book explode alive in this second book giving way to a very different dynamic and story direction. Calla & Anton seem destine for ruin as his anger boils over for her decision to kill him in the games and his first love Otta reemerging. The plot twists Gong throws at you keep you on your toes and there is no down time to get comfortable with anything that is going on in the book. It was a devastating ride of betrayal, longing and character reveals I never saw coming tell it went straight through my heart. The ending sent me over the edge and she absolutely CANNOT leave us here on this cliff. Please Gong, I am holding out my heart…set a date for the next book!! 5 stars!

Warring politics, Ancient Gods, power, and betrayals. Book 2 starts off immediately from where book 1 left off expanding the compelling world building. We go beyond San-er and into the provinces as Calla undergoes the consequences of her actions killing the king.

I was hooked the entirety of this read no matter where I left off. Every character had motives, diverse personalities, betrayals, and their own loyalties. The intricate webbing of the plot alongside that created fascinating dynamics that would blow my mind the further we got. Plenty of action sequences I could follow and amazing reveals I could never have guessed.

Calla and Anton are just so in tune with each other it’s unbelievable. Starting off as enemies turning to lovers in book 1 created my love for their relationship. The plot twist turning them back into enemies was heartbreaking and I cried. The hatred and angst creates a push and pull between Calla and Anton that I couldn’t get enough of. Introducing Otta Avia into the situation was absolutely nerve wrecking. She was completely unpredictable the moment she woke up and I was here for it.

Chloe Gong has done it again! 1000/10 must read series and top read of 2024!

Well Chloe Gong knows how to write a cliffhanger, I'll tell you that.

First off - if you did not immediately read the first book, I suggest you do that or find a refresher video on Youtube before going into this. This book hops right back in and does not give much of an explanation of where we are or how we got there.

This book is all about character and not so much about plot. About 75% in I realized almost nothing had happened, but I was surprised how little this bothered me. That being said, the last 100 pages were jam packed with action that happened so quickly I sometimes missed things. The romance in this one was weird for me (according to my review for book 1, I felt the same before), and while I did get a little giddy during ~romantic times~ I didn't quite understand the relationship dynamics. Plus, Otta's randomness in the last book as Anton's first love is equally, if not more, random in this one. The jumping aspect was less of an emphasis in this book, which made it easier for me to suspend reality. (The concept of jumping as a whole had me thinking so many things in book one - how do you know who anyone truly is?!)

I'd give this 3.5 stars. This book had me excited to keep reading, but I felt like I wanted more. I don't know if I want book 3 asap because that cliff hanger was even more jaw dropping than the first one, or because I actually loved the book. Regardless, it's a fun time.

Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

This was a bit of a sequel slump for me, unfortunately. It suffers from what many second book of trios do where it feels like filler and build up for the finale instead of a compelling story in its own right. By no means horrible and I look forward to finishing the series but I was disappointed. Perhaps this is why Gong’s debut duology was so great-no fluff in the middle!

In so disappointed to say this but I think this might be my least favorite of her books. The pacing felt off & I felt like the first book painted such a good picture of the cities & I feel like this one didn’t do that with the country. With that being said you know I’m going to buy the third one when it comes out.

After the insane cliffhanger, I was READY for book two. And it did not disappoint. I love these characters, I love this world, and all of it is perfect for me!

Absolutely loved this. If Chloe gong writes it I will read it! Love. How she manages to use source material in Shakespeare and still make it her own story. The enemies to lovers and betrayals in this is top notch.

I could not articulate my disappointment for this book in a GoodReads review... so I made a 40 minute long rant video. Watch here: https://youtu.be/FNAS17JnDw0

Loved the enemies to lovers in this! The world building, the plot with the politics, the characters, and the magic were touched on more in this book. Vilest Things has strong characters that show character development throughout. Do expect lots of plot twists and another cliffhanger!

Thank you to TBR Beyond Tours for the copy!

I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as Immortal Longings; there wasn't nearly as much action, and most of the book was building up to the reveal at the end. However, I liked spending more time with the characters and exploring the aftermath of the end of Immortal Longings. Gong is definitely setting us up for a ton of action in Book 3, so I didn't mind at all that this book seems to kind of be a bridge between Immortal Longings and Book 3.

A rollercoaster of a book in the best possible way. Chloe Gong is unmatched. So many plot twists, stunning reveals, and BETRAYALS!!! Absolutely obsessed with this world, the politics, and the magic system!

Absolutely stunning sequel that will leave you wanting more. Chloe Gong continues to give dimension and depth to the world and characters she created in Immortal Longings. There isn’t much I can really say without giving away key points of the first book, but this book steps up all the court intrigue and scheming to tension-filled levels. Everyone has an agenda, and everyone has something to lose. The first book was fun, action packed and had a romance that breaks your heart. Vilest Things wastes no time in diving right back into the action and drama. The world building is a little formulaic dystopian with districts, people living in poverty while the wealthy play games, and the seeds of rebellion forming. The Magic system is what sets this book apart. Chloe has created this magical world that is unique while also having you question the world she created (i.e. this is how it is… or is it?) I love Calla and Anton and all of their imperfections. They are amazingly strong main characters that you will want to be invested in. The villains’ and side characters add the perfect flavoring to the feast that is this series. I can’t wait to get my hands on book three. If you are a fan of fantasy, dystopias and retellings then you should give this book/series a go.

I was very intrigued by Gong’s foray into adult fantasy when Immortal Longings came out. While initially I wasn’t super familiar with Shakespear’s Antony & Cleopatra, I really enjoyed being thrown into the world Gong created. I recently re-read Immortal Longings to prepare for Vilest Things coming out and Pretzel decided to join me, sensing I needed my own Mao Mao.
Vilest Things has been an anticipated sequel, because of the giant cliffhanger at the end of IL. Gong managed to address many of the wishes I had going into a sequel with Vilest Things, the world building really expands and we get a deeper look into the characters. I just love it SO much when the second book in a series doesn’t disappoint.
My only problem with Vilest Things has been that it too has a cliffhanger and that I have to wait for book 3 in the series.

OKAY I HAVE QUESTIONS AND I NEED ANSWERS!!

The cliffhangers have been parallels and yet they still get me. I loved how much more of the political machinations we got to see in this one and the angst Anton was feeling after how the last book ended. Also that they could be in different bodies but their love is the same.
There were so many things revealed in this one, and the lore was built up even more and I’m so in love with this world created. I read this too quickly and now I can’t believe I have to wait!

Sorry for the short review, but there’s not much I can say without spoiling the first book and some big revelations in this one. Maybe an easter egg drop—- that crown!!

Thank you TBR and Beyond Tours for having me on the tour! And thank you Saga Press for the arc! I feel spoiled with this one, what an exciting release.

An AMAZING sequel to Immortal Longings. Once I started reading I couldn’t put the book down. Chloe has, once again, done an excellent job with her storytelling and character development. I can’t wait for the next one!!

I’m not sure how I felt about how much lore and mysticism that wasn’t strongly hinted at in the first book was introduced in this one, but it kept my engaged the entire time I was reading and Calla and Anton’s twisted relationships remains a high point of the series.

This was a great follow up to immortal longings. We are back with even more plotting, politics and twists. Not only was I entertained, I was Pleasantly surprised to be so far off in all my guesses about what would happen. Can’t wait for the next book!

4.5 ⭐️ wow!!!! this book was a huge rollercoaster, I literally can’t believe it ended like that???? this second book was more focused on the political part of the story and at first it scared me a little but in the end I ended up loving it as much as the first one, Chloe Gong definitely knows how to be dramatic and how to keep readers on the edge of their seats 😮‍💨 the tension in the romance was out of this world and I honestly don't know if I'll ever get over them, I can’t wait for the next one!!!