I think this is one of the most unique Shakespearean retellings I’ve ever read. The way Gong weaves plot elements, themes, and lines from Antony and Cleopatra while still remaining wholly fresh and original is brilliant, and I adored the complex characters, unpredictable plot, and slow-burning romance.

There’s something about Chloe Gong’s storytelling that pulls me in from the start, and I was eager to go back to this dark and dangerous world. We witness the aftermath of the shocking chaos that occurred at the end of Immortal Longings and are thrust back into a high-stakes, politically charged, and immersive setting. I like how the story delved deeper into the political intrigue and social upheaval. I also think the author did a great job of fleshing out the magic system more because that aspect of the story is so fascinating!

If you like a morally grey character, then you should totally check this series out because there isn’t one character I can think of who isn’t morally grey. lol Having the different POVs added so much to the plot and character development, and gave such interesting perspectives, sometimes complimentary and sometimes contradictory. I also liked seeing the story from major and minor characters, some new and some old. They all have a story to tell and each perspective is unique and compelling. Of course, my favorites were Calla and Anton.

Anton and Calla. Calla and Anton. They. Are. Everything. That is all.

Ok, maybe not all. lol But their story is my favorite part of the whole book. It’s complicated and messy, and I wasn’t sure what would happen between these two considering what happened at the end of Immortal Longings. The chemistry and sexual tension are off the charts. I adored their slow-burning romance – the banter, the longing, the angst, the way they know each other even though they don’t know each other at all – I just adored every part of it. So much of the story is intense and ominous, but watching Calla and Anton and their incredibly complicated feelings add hope and light in a dark and deadly, high-stakes world.

Like the multitude of relationships and characters explored, the plot is intricately woven and complex.. So many twists and turns and shocking revelations kept me on my toes and fully engrossed and entertained. I love stories that are unpredictable, and this one really surprised me more than once. And like the first book, this one left me with my jaw hanging open.

A fantastic sequel to Immortal Longing, Vilest Things is a wild ride from start to finish!

I thought the cliff hanger from the first book was big but the second book tops it 100%!

Vilest Things resumes with our favorite pretenders, Calla and Anton, stationed in positions of power within the palace. You might think things will settle down and this book might take you on the journey of August trying to fight for his body back…but alas, Chloe Gong has a better idea. A hostile takeover is happening and even more deaths similar to the ones seen in the first book are happening. Except, these deaths are mass deaths and like nothing San-Er has seen before. We learn that some people can use qi in different ways and it makes them more powerful. We also learn that the previously established rules of qi are old news.
Lots of scheming, enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers, and old lore are packed into this book. Book three is going to be wild!

Immortal longings was a book where I was interested in it, but not super into it if that makes sense? I think the same feelings came with this book, but I definitely enjoyed Vilest Things better than Immortal Longings I felt I understand more about the time period that San-Er is living in and more about the history as well.

Calla Tuoleimi is no longer just a subject under the rule of Talin’s king. She is now one of the elite and she will do everything to make changes in the kingdom. Anton Makusa, still smarting after Calla’s betrayal, is no longer just a figure from the past. He is the present. He takes over August’s body, making him the next king after Kasa’s death. But he doesn’t fool Calla. And then strange and deadly things start happening in the kingdom and it is up to Calla and Anton to determine the shape the kingdom will take in the future.

Thank you Chloe Gong and Saga Press for the eARC of the second book in the Flesh and False Gods series. All opinions expressed here are mine.

My first thought of this book is that I did not expect it to be so political. The whole book until the very end was about the different groups in the kingdom that wanted their views to be the most important. It was difficult to keep up with who everyone was and what exactly the characters wanted. From reading the first book in the series and then reading this one months later, I definitely forgot some of the politics of the world. Sometimes a repetition of world building and occurrences are necessary in the second book of the series even if it might seem repetitive. I definitely needed it and I spent the whole book trying to play catch-up.

If you really loved the first book, then I definitely recommend you read the second even though the premise of it is very different than the first. I just did not care very much for this book even though I liked the first book. I found it difficult to pick the book up and continue reading.

I think this was everything I could have wanted from the second book in the series. We discover a new conflict that keeps up guessing until the very end and get the same fast paced plot that we had in the first book. I cannot wait to read the next one!

Calla, Calla, Calla…has a more perfect character ever been written? I love her brain and her attitude and her vulnerable little heart when it comes to the people she loves. Obviously, this book is more than just Calla, but she’s easily my favorite thing about Vilest Longings.

I thought the pace was great, more on the fast side, which works well for the story. The writing is very good, straightforward when it needs to be and pretty prose when the story allows. I love the sharpness of the dialogue between everyone because it highlights what a cutthroat world they all live in.

Overall, this was great. No second book syndrome here. 5/5 from me! Thank you for the opportunity to read and review Vilest Things. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have been dying to jump back into the world of Talin and see what our wayward star-crossed lovers Anton and Calla have gotten themselves up to now. And of course Mao Mao. A world that mostly was contained to San and Er during Immortal Longings, has now exploded out into the full land of Talin, with so much happening outside of the twin cities.

In the last book Anton and Calla went from enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies…and now we see a bit more of a slow-burn where they go back from enemies to lovers in a way that feels even more genuine and pulls them closer in a deeper connection.

“You are my only place of worship. I swear it.”

There are so many more fantastic quotes in this book, but most are a lot more spoilery. The pacing of this is so good, with Chloe Gong pulling us in many different directions, masterfully hiding a few clever twists and bringing part two of this story to a heavy and exciting ending.

Book 3 is coming soon, right? Right?

Thank you to @sagapressbooks for my copy of the book. Thank you to @tbrandbeyond for having me on the tour. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you @sagapressbooks and @simon.audio for the complimentary ARC & ALC.

3.5 stars

Vilest Things kicks off almost right after the first one ends. I looked up a chapter summary of the last one to give myself and a reminder and I’m so glad I did because I did not remember some details. I started off on audio but ended up having to swap to the physical book. Jeena Yi was great as the narrator, but my head space right now just could not keep it all the characters straight on audio. Given the explosive ending of book one I really expected Vilest Things to hit the ground running, but it didn’t, in fact the pace was on the slower slide. There was lots of intrigue and mystery, and it did build and build in intensity until the end where everything kicked off in the last 20% or so. Like book one, Vilest Things ends with a shocker, and I can’t wait to see what book 3 brings.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year with immortal longings being my favorite book of last year. Chloe once again did not disappoint. Her plot twists and cliffhangers are something everyone should be taking notes on. I love the way she expanded on the world and it’s politics. My only wish I that it was longer. I can not wait for the next book.

Vilest Things is a viper of a book, poised to strike and leave its deadly mark. This is a sleek and evolved politically fuelled fantasy, inspired by Anthony and Cleopatra.

In Immortal Longings, Chloe Gong set the scene for the bloodthirsty world we will inhabit over the course of this trilogy. Anton and Calla, my favourite backstabbing schemers, came into our lives and our hearts, leaving us reeling with devastating twists. Here, they are developed further, but so is the world in which they inhabit. We meet a new player that shakes up the entire game and learn more about the chess game under our noses the whole time. The political moves in the first book have rippling effects, shown as Gong expands this richly imagined world further. Everything is not as it seems and the game is more complex than first realised. We also have the introduction of even more new players and further stakes that push the narrative further and the tension increases tenfold. It is all about scheming and chess moves that are ten steps ahead of your opponent.

Gong masterminds it all with a careful eye and callbacks that make you gasp. The details are impressive and sow the seeds for further action to come, while also redefining how you may have seen what happened before. It is brilliant how Gong balances this wider political scale with the very personal dynamics at the core of this book. Those relationships may determine the fate of a country and there is a fascinating examination of the way power structures can be reliant upon a single person. They can be toppled easily or they can be so intrinsically woven into the fabric of our society that they can feel like they can never fully be unpicked. That question of burning it all down remains and there is a vivid anger that runs through the two books so far, especially when you re-examine certain moves through knowledge you collect along the way.

Anton and Calla are still our scheming, complex characters that we met in the first book. Both are driven by a desire for revenge and also to not only survive a world trying to destroy the, but crush it in an iron fist as they rule over it all. Everything is about power. They might kiss but they also could very well kill each other. The power of the body-hopping is pushed further in this book and more of the speculative aspects around it are explained, giving us a cosmic sense of history and mythos that imbues the story with a sense of grandeur. It also adds a meta sense of being doomed to repeat the same narrative over and over again. This was something Gong grappled with in her previous series, but it is given more pathos and nuance here. In the adult space, there is more room for darkness and it overall feels like a series more tinged with despair and anger. You have a little less hope in your heart.

Gong mirrors our political atmosphere at times, creating conversational parallels that are sure to spark off imaginations. Fundamentally this is a world that only thrives by the decimation of those you consider beneath you. The Shakespearean touches are there but this is an entirely fresh and newly imagined narrative, twisting the familiar into a completely different space. I like how Gong continues some of the plot threads you would expect to see, but more often than not, takes them somewhere else entirely.

Vilest Things continues a deeply interesting and dynamic series—I cannot wait to see how it all comes together in the next act.

Pretty good, y’all.
Vivid and descriptive and breathtaking.
So many emotions.
Politically heavy at points.
The multiple POVs was…interesting and not a favorite.

The characters were well developed but a bit spread out.
Definitely nothing like I’ve read before.
A solid 4 stars.

𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘦: AVAILABLE NOW
𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠. 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣.

4.5

Vilest Things picks up right where the story left off in the Immortal Longings, with that surprising, heart-stopping ending.

But the first thing that jumps out at you, and that you notice after reading a few chapters, is that in Vilest Things the world created in Immortal Longings expands: we leave the twin cities of San-Er and explore the Provinces of Talin, very different from the capital, and in fact in this volume there is also a map of the created world, the first book by Chloe Gong to have it.

But there is much more: because in addition to the geographical aspect there is an in-depth exploration of the magical-supernatural component. If in Immortal Longings we learned the basics of this trilogy's magic system and the "jumps" from one body to another, in Vilest Things we explore all the possibilities and limitations (real or assumed) that jumping from one body to another entails. And at the same time the author manages to include a reflection on identity and individuality, a theme that in my opinion permeates somewhat throughout the book and whose seeds were planted in the previous book. In particular, this theme is dear to and especially involves the two main characters Anton and Calla, and it involves them in different ways and senses, and I find it interesting how this issue is addressed differently through these two characters.

Unlike Immortal Longings, however, I find Vilest Things to be a more choral book, more wide-ranging and involving much more of the other characters and introducing new ones. In fact, although the points of view chosen to narrate the unfolding of the story remain those of Anton and Calla, in this book we also see chapters from the point of view of August, Galipei, and Yilas, all characters already known and seen in Immortal Longings who, however, are given more space in this sequel (for example, August who also had chapters from his point of view, here emerges more) and this allows us to get to know them more and have a broader perspective of the world and the story.

Of course, there is no shortage of twists and turns, which Chloe loves to slip in one after another when you least expect it, and as with Immortal Longings, the ending of Vilest Things is also surprising and leaves you with an overwhelming desire to be able to read the sequel right away. In fact, I too am looking forward to being able to read the third and final chapter of this trilogy, not only to find out "how it ends" but also to find the answers to many questions and queries that arise from reading this book, especially inherent to the fantasy element.

To sum up, I can say in general that I liked this second book better than the first one and I am glad that I trusted this author once again.

The stunning sequel in the Flesh and False Gods series filled with even more betrayals, heartbreak, and vicious vile feelings. Calla Tuoleimi has killed the king, she's won the blood games, and is now the new advisor to the king's adopted son, August Shenzhi.... only her victory meant she had to kill the one person she was falling in love with, Anton Makusa... who just happened to body swap and jump into August's body at the last moment. To say Anton is mad that Calla killed him is an understatement and now that he is in the new king's body... he's going to make her pay. Anton was never meant to swap bodies but he somehow did and still fresh from Calla's betrayal he has no intention of giving up this new body or his new power. But things only take a turn when his first love, the beautiful Otta Avia awakens from a year long coma with a thirst for her own power and a personality that has him questioning if he ever even loved her at all. Anton is warring between his feelings for Calla despite her betrayal and the old feelings he has for Otta... she is up to something and he wants to know what. Yet when he discovers August's own secrets, how long can he keep up the act before someone figures out its him... and can he get his old body back before its too late and he's trapped in August's body? Calla knows Anton is in August's body and she wants to make amends, yet he gave her no choice when he chose Otta over her and she chose the kingdom over him... but with Otta back and scheming to put the kingdom in ruins, can August and Calla put aside their differences to long enough to prevent the ruination of their empire... or will are some betrayals too deep? Finding out that this was only the sequel in what I thought was a duology when in fact it was a trilogy makes it a very interesting read. I loved that we get to jump immediately into the events of the previous book and the fall out of the relationship between the main characters. This was truly a roller coaster from start to finish. You can understand both character's flaws and why they decided to act the way they did, yet when they are together it's an undeniable connection. I cannot wait for the third book and to see how this all wraps up. The political games, the betrayal, and the romance were just so much fun to read in this book and I definitely think this does not fall into the sequel slump many books tend to do when they are in a trilogy. Its got such a fun "enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers again" vibe and I can't wait to read the conclusion!

Release Date: September 10,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

Author Info: Website

Book Tour: TBR Beyond Tours

*Thanks Netgalley, Saga Press | S&S/Saga Press, and @tbrbeyondtours for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review and being part of the book tour.

Vilest Things is the much-anticipated sequel to Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong. This series is a retelling of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra set in a gritty urban fantasy world where people can jump into others’ bodies.

Although there are legends of old gods, the world has since been abandoned to a brutal empire ruled with an iron fist. The powerful at the top hold all the wealth and the poor scrape by trying to survive in an overcrowded capital city. Immortal Longings focused on a deadly game put on by the ruler, where our two MCs competed in a fight to the death for glory and riches.

This series is perfect for people who want a brutal, gritty world and lots of political machinations. It’s chock full of morally grey characters and you never know who to trust and no one ever seems fully in the right. I don’t like my books too dark though, and I think this series stays just on the right side of pessimism. These flawed characters are so well written, I can’t help but root for them in this high-stakes fantasy drama.

I really don’t want to give any spoilers for either book! So I’m going to keep things really vague here plotwise. This second book expands the world and brings the setting to the provinces as well as the capital. It’s focused on political intrigue and the consequences of a betrayal in the first book. I really loved where Chloe took the story. I’m really interested to see where she goes in the next installment – which can’t come soon enough!

The book has a very slow start. Then when things are revealed, they're quickly brushed over and it moves on. I think I also personally struggle with the author's writing style. I have a hard time picturing things. this book included a lot more characters and a lot more subplots than the first.

This did not disappoint! The action, the mystery, it was everything I wanted in the sequel. I love the feeling of dystopian but also futuristic. Definitely a must read!

A fantastic, unputdownable, sequel to Immortal Longings that fulfills all the voids the first book leaves behind then gives you new voids that need immediate filling. Chloe Gong's creativity and storytelling are impressive. I loved reading this and not having a friggin clue how things are going to play out. Lots of twists and turns and a quick pace had me eating this story up. I am seated and (impatiently) waiting for Book 3.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up

Reivew: Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was a perfect follow up to Immortal Longings. I loved the development of the different characters and their relationships with each other. My only complaint about this book, and I found it to be true in Immortal Longings as well, is that it feels as if the world building is a time never ending and a little bit like someone reading a textbook entry to you. What I mean by this is because the book is in third person, and the world building so rarely happens during conversations between characters, it can feel as though the narrator is a college professor teaching a history class. But even with that, I really enjoyed this book and I'm really excited to dive into more that Chloe writes and to see where this world may go.

Synopsis: PLEASE NOTE THE SYNOPSIS ON ALL WEBSITES INCLUDES MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST BOOK. Because of these spoilers, I will not be including a synopsis of this book in this post.

I would like to thank partner @tbrbeyondtours @thechloegong @sagapressbooks #sagasayscrew #freegift for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was lucky enough to receive both a physical ARC and a Netgalley eARC in order to share my thoughts with you today. All opinions expressed are my own.

Vilest Things is the second book in the adult fantasy series, Flesh and False Gods, by Chloe Gong which will be published on September 10, 2024. Read the synopsis above. This was an amazing high stakes sequel to Immortal Longings that I definitely recommend for readers who enjoy Asian inspired fantasy. The other also roughly bases her work on the works of Shakespeare, which adds an additional twist. It was highly entertaining seeing these main characters go from adversaries to allies to lovers in the first book. Faced with an impossible choice, Calla betrayed Anton at the book’s conclusion resulting in a starting place of adversaries yet again. However that did change over the course of the novel, making this an enemies to allies to lovers story all over again. I was suitably impressed with the author’s ability to weave a tail full of action, political intrigue, and a quest for the greater good against impressive odds. Add in a magical crown and magical talents that extend behind the ability to jump bodies and this book is a rousing success. I wholeheartedly recommend the book, and series, to readers who enjoy romantasy as I found it to be the best book I halve read by this author to date.

consider me gagged, consider me applying for therapy. I have adored chloe gong since i was like 17 years old, and this is not changing as a now adult. the way her books have followed me into my adult life makes me incredibly emotional, but not as emotional as her endings always make me feel *no seriously wtf* a solid 4/5 stars its only not 5/5 cause im mad at her rn

Vilest Things picks up where the first book left off. Calla Tuoleimi, the victor of a deadly tournament, now serves as a royal advisor to the new king, August Shenzhi. Unbeknownst to the kingdom, however, August is actually Anton Makusa, who has seized control of August's body.

When Anton's former love, Otta Avia, awakens from a coma with a secret that could threaten the monarchy, chaos erupts in the palace. As tensions rise and alliances shift, Calla and Anton must put aside their differences and work together to preserve the kingdom.

It's clear that Gong has invested significant effort into world-building her unique setting of San-Er, a mix of modern-day elements and a fantastical kingdom. However, while the world itself is intriguing, the pacing and character development leave something to be desired.

The first two-thirds of the novel felt like a slog to get through. Very little recap of the events of the first novel are provided, and the slow pace is much different than the intensity of the battle royale of the first book. The political intrigue and betrayals were difficult to follow, and I found myself struggling to connect with the characters because I didn't understand their motivations.

The final act, however, was a significant improvement. The pace picked up, and the action was more compelling and the conflict more engaging. Unfortunately, the foundation laid in the earlier chapters made it difficult to fully appreciate the climax.

Overall, Vilest Things is a mixed bag. The world-building is impressive, but the pacing and character development could have been stronger. While the final act is satisfying, it's not enough to make up for the weaknesses in the earlier parts of the book.

If you enjoyed the first book, then you likely will appreciate this sequel. This book cannot be read as a standalone, and I don't think it is strong enough for me to recommend new readers try the series.

This review week be shared to Goodreads on September 11, 2024.