Immortal Longings (Flesh & False Gods #1)

Chloe Gong

$30.44

Publication Date: July 18th, 2023

Publisher:

S&S/Saga Press

ISBN:

9781668000229

Pages:

384

Usually Ships in 1 to 5 Days

InImmortal Longings, Chloe Gong takes inspiration from Shakespeare and builds a fully imagined and detailed world. Her ability to create place, characters, and intrigue is astonishing. This story will leave you breathless.

Calvin Crosby, The King's English Bookshop, Salt Lake City, UT

August 2023 Indie Next List

Description

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.

About the Author

Chloe Gong is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Secret Shanghai novels, as well as the Flesh and False Gods trilogy. Her books have been published in over twenty countries and have been featured in The New York Times, People, Cosmopolitan, and more. She was named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for 2024. Chloe graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in English and international relations. Born in Shanghai and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Chloe is now located in New York City, pretending to be a real adult.

Praise for Immortal Longings (Flesh & False Gods #1)

The Fantasy Buzz Book of 2023: Time, Cosmopolitan, PopSugar, Glamour, Paste

“[Gong’s] adult debut is about to become your new obsession.”—Cosmopolitan

“[P]ulse-pounding action, tension, and intrigue…” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

“[A] must-read.” — Booklist, starred review

“Spectacular worldbuilding, breathtaking action, and plenty of mischief.” — Kirkus, starred review

"I blew straight through this book, and I wish I could go back and read it again from scratch. Gong's first venture into adult fantasy, set in a claustrophobic, low-tech city where life is cheap and bodies are disposable, features wonderfully complex characters and a game to the death that is executed with aplomb. Immortal Longings is a lot of fun, with twists you won't see coming until right before the hammer drops."
—Rebecca Roanhorse, New York Times bestselling author of the Between Earth and Sky trilogy

“Smart, imaginative, and brutal, Immortal Longings is a mind- and genre-bending epic that is as cutting and honest as it is unpredictable. Chloe Gong’s assertive style is filled with razor's-edge prose, and her complex characters will hurt you, but in the most thrilling way. What a time to be alive for book lovers.”
—Wesley Chu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The War Arts Saga

“Gripping, bewildering, irresistible, Chloe Gong’s Immortal Longings is a tour de force of Asian Futurism, a provocative examination of self and destiny that melds the ruthless sensuality of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon with the visceral urgency of The Hunger Games. This book left me breathless!”
—Ryka Aoki, author of Light From Uncommon Stars

“Immortal Longings is a grab-you-and-won’t-let-go sort of book, as brutal and merciless as its characters. Everyone has secret plans, and everyone’s life exists on the edge of betrayal. Each page is fierce and filled with yearning—I loved it.”
—Andrea Stewart, author of The Drowning Empire trilogy