I really love this take on Antony and Cleopatra. I like how it was set in a dystopian universe! I also liked the Asian elements that are in this book! Thus, this book is a fun read for any Shakespeare fan! I hope there is a sequel!

Fans of dystopian novels will enjoy the intrigue and power plays. The citizens of San-Er live in poverty under a decaying monarchy. Similar to competition based novels, the palace hosts a-fight-to -the-death competition for wealth and prestige. Princess Calla has remained in hiding since killing her parents five years. Her goal is to destroy the monarchy. Calla forges alliances with unlikely sources; Anton - an former aristocrat, and August, the King's adopted son. The central trio—Anton, Calla, and August—form a web of complex relationships that, while somewhat predictable, are emotional and well developed.

Jeena Yi pulls the listener into the story with vivid narration and excellent pacing. Jeena's narration of each character is distinct and easy to follow.

A dark, lush fantasy inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Chinese legends. It's gritty, thrilling, and packed with high-stakes intrigue. Gong’s best work yet.

After adoring These Violet Delights, I thought this would be the perfect book for me. I tried to read this 5 times and never could get past 100 pages. It felt too dry for me.

Overall really enjoyed this book! The concept isn't exactly something new, but a fun spin. The pacing of the story was well done and while I think there are some aspects of character and world building that could have used a bit more detail, I still enjoyed the overall storyline.

chloe gong has done it ONCE AGAINN. i truly believe she will never disappoint. I do not want to give any spoilers so just now that the pacing was fantastic, the characters were interesting and I physically could not put this book down. I am telling you, I fell asleep with it in my hands and everything.

I recently read Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong, and honestly, it didn't live up to my expectations. The premise, inspired by Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, had potential, but the execution fell flat.

The world-building felt underdeveloped. The annual games, reminiscent of The Hunger Games, lacked clear rules and stakes, making it hard to stay engaged.

The characters didn't resonate with me, their motivations seemed weak, and the romance lacked chemistry. The pacing was slow, bogged down by excessive info-dumping, which made it a struggle to get through.

Overall, while I appreciate the ambition behind the novel, it didn't deliver the gripping story I was hoping for

Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong is an epic fantasy that’ll totally pull you in! The story is set in a world where a dangerous competition takes place every year, people fight to the death for a chance at immortality. Our main character, Kellen, is in the middle of this intense world, and she’s determined to win, not just for the power, but to get revenge for her family. But things get complicated when she gets caught up in political intrigue, complicated alliances, and maybe even some unexpected feelings.

What I really loved about this book is how intense and fast-paced it is. The competition is fierce, and there’s a lot of action and suspense that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Kellen is a badass protagonist, she’s tough, smart, and isn’t afraid to do what it takes to survive. The romance part is there too, but it doesn’t take over the whole story. It adds a lot of tension and twists to Kellen’s journey.

The writing is super captivating, and the world-building is so well done. You can feel the stakes and the danger of the competition, and it’s easy to get lost in the world she’s created. The characters are complex, and there’s a lot of drama and betrayal, which makes the story even more exciting.

Another great epic from Chloe Gong. Her world building is very thorough, and she does such a great job building tension and laying the groundwork for the conflicts that occur down the line. I listened to the audiobook version, and I sometimes get a little bit lost in the number of characters/players in the story. I would definitely continue reading this series.

Hey everyone! 📚✨ Just finished "Immortal Longings" by Chloe Gong and it's absolutely stunning! This book is a perfect blend of romance, fantasy, and adventure that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

Chloe Gong's writing is so vivid and immersive, you’ll feel like you’re right there in the middle of all the action. The characters are incredibly well-crafted, each with their own unique charm and depth. One standout moment for me was when the protagonists face a breathtaking challenge in a magical, otherworldly setting—it's so gripping and beautifully written!

The plot is fast-paced and full of twists and turns that keep you on your toes. Gong does an amazing job of balancing heartfelt moments with epic fantasy elements, making it a truly unforgettable read.

If you’re looking for a book that’s packed with adventure, romance, and a touch of magic, "Immortal Longings" is a must-read. Trust me, you won’t be able to put it down. Happy reading! 🌟📖

#BookReview #MustRead #ChloeGong #FantasyReads 📚✨

This was my first Chloe Gong booked, and let me just say, I'm a fan! I was drawn in quickly and couldn't put the book down. The characters were amazing and I was fully invested.

I liked the world building and setting. I don't think it needed to be an Anthony and Cleopatra retelling but I get that that's the author's signature move now. I also don't particularly love that play or point in history. (History books are still pretty misogynistic about this historical event). I absolutely despise love triangles with the burning, fiery passion of 1000 suns.

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars--

Immortal Longings was fine. The setting, the overcrowded city of San-Er, had a grungy cyberpunk vibe that I sort of dug. But the rest was pretty trite. Calla is a former princess intent on murdering her usurping uncle--King Kasa--and believes the only way to get close enough for her revenge is to win a yearly Hunger Games-style fight to the death. Her motivations didn't authentically extend beyond the personal, even though she occasionally criticized the monarch's neglect of poor San-Er citizens. The plot and love story (sort-of triangle) were run-of-the-mill levels of entertaining, but I wasn't sold enough on anything to convince me I want to read the second book.

Many thanks to Saga Press, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

*eARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Immortal Longings was gripping. I enjoyed almost every second of it. These Violent Delights was well-written, but I felt that Gong was limited by the YA genre. IL proved me right. Hope she sticks to writing adult books.

Immortal Longings was a terrific adult debut from Chloe Gong. Gong creates a vicious and brutal world that is compulsively readable.

The cover of this book is amazing and draws the reader in.
The Shakespeare theme is unexpected and the characters are very well written.
I will recommend to both YA and New Adult readers who enjoy fantasy

Beginning was a little slow so it was hard to get into at first but then it got very interesting! Love the games aspect and can’t wait for the sequel.

Chloe Gong delivers violence, betrayal, and non-stop action in this adult debut. Needed the sequel immediately after that cliffhanger ending.

This book started off super slow until it wasn't. Even though things were happening, this book wasn't un-put-downable until after halfway. I liked the three main characters but I'm not sure if I'd call it "Antony and Cleopatra' retelling. The ending hooked me for the next book and I'm exciting for more complex world building.

I really liked this re-interpretation. I'm definitely going to pick up others in the series and follow the story. I think the Blade Runner + magic + Hunger Games mix was really appealing and added to what might have otherwise been a kind of flat premise. Really easy to recommend to a range of different interests for readers. Well-balanced throughtout.