Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong

In the realm of fantasy literature, few concepts are as tantalizing as the fusion of Shakespearean drama with a dystopian setting. Chloe Gong’s “Immortal Longings,” the first installment in her Flesh and False Gods trilogy, attempts this ambitious blend, drawing inspiration from “Antony and Cleopatra” while crafting a world of brutal games and body-jumping intrigue. While the premise holds immense potential, the execution unfortunately leaves much to be desired.

A Tale of Two Cities… and Too Many Plot Holes

Gong’s San-Er, a sprawling metropolis inspired by the infamous Kowloon Walled City, serves as the backdrop for this tale of revenge, power, and forbidden love. The author’s world-building shines brightest in her depiction of this claustrophobic urban nightmare, where towering structures lean precariously into one another and sunlight barely penetrates to the streets below. It’s a setting ripe with possibility, teeming with tension and desperation.

However, as we delve deeper into the story, the cracks in this foundation begin to show. The rules governing body-jumping and the games themselves often feel inconsistent or poorly explained. The political machinations, while ambitious, sometimes veer into the realm of the convoluted, leaving readers scrambling to keep track of allegiances and motivations.

Characters: A Mixed Bag of Tropes and Missed Opportunities

At the heart of “Immortal Longings” lie Calla and Anton, our star-crossed lovers and reluctant allies. Gong clearly aims to capture the passionate, volatile dynamic of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, but the result often feels more melodramatic than truly compelling.

Calla: A Princess of Contradictions

Princess Calla Tuoleimi, our vengeful protagonist, suffers from a severe case of inconsistent characterization. One moment she’s a cold-blooded killer, the next a lovestruck teenager. Her motivations, while potentially intriguing, are never fully explored or justified. The revelation of her true identity – a poor girl who stole the princess’s body – could have been a fascinating exploration of class and power. Instead, it feels like an afterthought, barely impacting her character development.

Anton: Charming, but Shallow

Anton Makusa fares slightly better as the roguish love interest, but he too falls victim to underdeveloped backstory and motivations. His devotion to the comatose Otta feels more like a plot device than a genuine emotional anchor. While his banter with Calla occasionally sparkles, their relationship lacks the depth and complexity one would expect from a retelling of such a classic tragedy.

The Games: More Fizzle than Sizzle

The annual games, supposedly the centerpiece of San-Er’s brutal society, never quite live up to their potential. The action sequences, while competently written, lack the visceral impact and strategic depth that could have made them truly gripping. The rules of engagement often feel arbitrary, and the stakes—beyond the obvious threat of death—remain frustratingly vague.

Missed Opportunities

• The concept of body-jumping could have been explored in far more depth, both in terms of its psychological impact and its potential for creative combat scenarios.
• The social and economic implications of the games are barely touched upon, leaving a gaping hole in the world-building.
• The supporting cast, including the enigmatic August and the power-hungry Pampi, feel underdeveloped and often serve as mere plot devices.

Prose: Flashes of Brilliance Amid Uneven Writing

Gong’s prose, much like her plot, is a mixed bag. At times, she captures the lyricism and grandeur of Shakespearean language.

“Forget your name and adopt a title instead, Calla. Soon, people will be saying it as they whisper God.”

However, these moments of poetic brilliance are often undercut by clunky exposition and heavy-handed foreshadowing. The pacing suffers as a result, with the narrative lurching between breakneck action and plodding introspection.

Themes: Half-Baked Explorations of Power and Identity

“Immortal Longings” grapples with weighty themes—the corrupting nature of power, the fluidity of identity, the conflict between personal desire and duty. While these are certainly worthy subjects, Gong’s treatment of them often feels surface-level at best.

The Nature of Power

The exploration of political power and its abuses had the potential to be truly compelling. However, the motivations of key players like King Kasa and Prince August remain frustratingly opaque. The critique of monarchy and imperialism lacks nuance, presenting a simplistic view of “tyranny bad, revolution good” without delving into the complexities of systemic change.

Identity in Flux

The concept of body-jumping opens up fascinating questions about the nature of self and identity. Unfortunately, these philosophical implications are largely glossed over in favor of more straightforward action and romance. The psychological toll of inhabiting multiple bodies, or of having one’s body stolen, is never fully explored.

A Comparison to Gong’s Previous Work

Readers familiar with Gong’s “These Violent Delights” duology may find “Immortal Longings” a step backward in terms of character development and world-building. While her Romeo and Juliet retelling suffered from some of the same issues with pacing and plot convenience, it generally felt more cohesive and emotionally resonant than this new offering.

The Verdict: A Flawed but Potentially Promising Start

“Immortal Longings” is a novel of unrealized potential. While Gong’s ambition is commendable, the execution falls short in several key areas. The world-building, while intriguing, lacks the depth and consistency needed to fully immerse readers. The characters, despite occasional flashes of brilliance, often feel like pawns in an overly complex plot rather than fully realized individuals.

The Good:

• Unique setting inspired by Kowloon Walled City
• Ambitious blend of Shakespeare and dystopian elements
• Occasional moments of lyrical prose

The Bad:

• Inconsistent world-building and rules
• Underdeveloped characters and relationships
• Pacing issues and convoluted plot
• Surface-level exploration of themes

Who Should Read This Book?

Despite its flaws, “Immortal Longings” may appeal to:

• Fans of Chloe Gong’s previous work who are willing to overlook some inconsistencies
• Readers who enjoy dark, gritty fantasy with a heavy dose of romance
• Those interested in creative adaptations of classic literature

Final Thoughts: A Rocky Start to a New Trilogy

While “Immortal Longings” stumbles in its execution, there’s still potential for the Flesh and False Gods trilogy to find its footing. The groundwork has been laid for more in-depth exploration of the world’s magic system and political landscape. If Gong can tighten her plotting and delve deeper into her characters’ psyches in future installment, Vilest Things, this series may yet redeem itself.

As it stands, however, “Immortal Longings” feels like a missed opportunity. The Shakespeare-meets-dystopia concept deserves a more nuanced, carefully crafted treatment than what we’re given here. Readers hoping for a truly engrossing fantasy epic may find themselves longing for something more substantial.

A promising premise hampered by uneven execution and underdeveloped characters. While die-hard fans of Gong’s work may find enough to enjoy, more discerning readers may want to approach with caution.