I can hardly put into words the emotional whirlwind that Vilest Things took me on. If you thought the cliffhanger in the first book was intense, just wait until you finish this one! The ending leaves you hanging, and with no release date for the next installment in sight, it feels almost like a crime!

What I adored most were the plot twists, the jaw-dropping reveals, and the betrayals that kept me on my toes. I also loved diving deeper into the world-building, especially the intricate politics and magic system that are richly detailed here. And if you're a fan of the enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers trope (with some serious slow-burn tension this time), this book will have you exclaiming, “Ah, shit, here we go again!” in the best possible way.

I really enjoyed this book, but it didn’t blow me away as much as the first one did. The first one had something truly special that just caught me up and kept me gripped. Few books can match it, but I had hoped for the same from this one as it’s the sequel.

Things get intense though! Having set up the rules of the world in the first book, Chloe Gong sets about breaking them in interesting ways in the sequel! Whatever you thought you knew about the rules? Things are much more complicated than that. Having seen it hinted at in the first book, it was fun to watch the characters’ reactions to the changes in this one. It meant that there wasn’t a lull that middle books in a series often have.

This book was very political. All the stuff that’s beginning to stir in the first bit is coming together in this one, with a very literal fight for the crown. I think that’s why it didn’t catch me as much as the first one. But it will be interesting to see what happens to the different factions in the third book.

I’m really, really looking forward to seeing what happens next as there’s a lot of intrigue in here that I’d like to see resolved.

I was slightly worried going into this knowing that the games were over, and although this did feel like a filler book I had a lot of fun reading it. There’s still plenty of violence, gore, body swapping, and cults. The main plot focuses on the aftermath of “August” being crowned king and Otta waking up. This book also goes deeper into the magic of the world and Calla’s past.

A few of the world-building things I was worried about in the first book are becoming clearer and more fleshed out which is a relief. The first person present tense still throws me and every so often it takes me out of the moment. I don’t mind it too much as there’s something in the way Chloe Gong writes these that makes them so easy for me to read.

The only thing that didn’t quite meet my expectations was the relationship between Calla and Anton. The last book ended with a perfect setup for true enemies and I wish we had milked it a little more. The betrayal was forgiven so quickly that it almost took the shock of it away. I wish we had more tension between the two. I’d have happily done without the romance in this book if it meant we had more will they won't they.

I'm really excited to read the next book and hope our main couple have one or two more fallouts.

I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Spoilers for Immortal Longings, the first book, in this review!

I will always support women's rights and wrongs. Calla Tuoleimi, I love you.

This book was so good 😭 I was so excited yet also a bit scared to read this book. The games from Immortal Longings were over, so what now?

Safe to say, Chloe managed to write an enticing sequel and I was lured in from the very start. Vilest Things starts off right where Immortal Longings left the story, and I was intrigued. Calla is still in her own body, but Anton has overtaken August's and is now pretending to be him to be the king, since Kasa has been killed. Calla is also reintroduced to court, I mean, she won the games, right? So tension was there, especially considering the end of the games.

Calla then gets sent out to the provinces, and oh boy, what happens there… I loved the turn this story took, and the plot twists at the end!!! I was so shocked and I am so excited for the sequel.

I will say that I still have some questions about the plotline that I felt weren't explained properly yet, so I'm hoping those questions get answered in the third book.

I still love all the characters in this series and I am in need of book 3. I will do anything for Calla, I love her so much.

Chloe, if you're reading this, at this point I will read your grocery list. Thank you for the pace you put your books out, I feel so blessed to be able to read your words.

Book review 📚
Vilest Things by Chloe Gong
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Vilest Things is the 2nd book to a series, the first book being the amazing Immortal Belongings. Book 3 to follow shortly, I hope!

Gong is an absolute mastermind – planning these endings knowing full well her readers are gonna sit here and SCREAM when they end on a cliffhanger. Honestly, she does this with intent, and each time I’m left with my jaw on the floor. Now to wait, AGAIN!

I would defiantly recommend going back to rereading book 1, especially if it’s been a while. Just to jog your memory on certain aspects of the book. I done a reread before jumping into book 2 and I am so glad I did. Plus who doesn’t love a reread to a great book.

This book has everything you want and more. Humour, magic, development, intensity. This book has everything you are looking for if you love a fantasy book. The world building is absolutely remarkable and I’m in utter awe over Gongs work and the imagery she sets. I now have to sit and wait 500 hundred years for book 3.

I had SUCH a great time with this book! It’s a heavily plot driven series but I think there is still enough character development to balance it out, and things kept happening or being revealed and I absolutely love that. Some of my questions from book 1 were answered and this trilogy overall is very much a “trust the process” kind of thing, because things WILL be answered, you just have to wait. However, I now have more questions so yay me 😭. I did guess the final reveal but that didn’t make the experience any less good so I don’t mind really (and that also means there was good enough foreshadowing for me to come up this conclusion). I really liked Calla and Anton in this one, they truly are compelling characters, and I’m a sucker for an angry girly, which Calla 100% is, so what can I say🤷‍♀️

I'm here to talk to you about Vilest Things, the sequel to Immortal Longings by @chloegong, her adult fantasy series, and honestly, I love it! I thought it was going to be just a duology, but a third book is planned, which is great!

If you haven’t read Immortal Longings yet, I highly recommend it! And there might be some spoilers in the text that follows.

We pick up the plot shortly after that cliffhanger ending of book one. While book one focused on the deadly competition, this time we’re clearly plunged into political intrigue and power struggles between our protagonists. The environment is complex, which is why I had trouble getting back into the flow at the beginning of the book. There are many characters, and they’re not who you think they are due to their ability to jump from body to body. We also have multiple POVs, and all these pieces stack up perfectly to build an incredibly gripping plot that had me hooked.

There are twists, betrayals, cliffhangers, and a kingdom on the brink of war. You won’t have time to get bored, and I found that it all came together to form a fascinating fantasy that blends power plays, of course, but also beliefs and religion.

Calla is smart, badass, and bold, always ready to wield her sword. Anton seeks vengeance, and both are after power. Their relationship is like a wild dance: they get close, pull away, want to kill each other, or jump on each other—super intense!

In short, an intense read that blew my mind and made me turn the pages eagerly. I highly recommend starting this series!

Vilest Things is an interesting mix of fantasy and dystopia as we delve into a world where body/soul jumping is common - and getting harder to track. The first book, Immortal Longings, had a high stakes competition that kept the pages turning, so I was intrigued to see where this sequel was going to take us after those events.

It’s easy to say Chloe Gong is masterful at political manoeuvrings in her fantasy, a complex game of chess being played throughout. She had a common theme of constantly shifting motivations and morals amongst her characters, and this book is a feast for those who love a push-and-pull dynamic.

Admittedly though it did lose me somewhat. We seemed to keep coming back to the same points repeatedly, going in circles with theories and accusations. It took a little effort to focus, as I couldn’t reconnect with the characters once I was lost.

Nonetheless, it’s a unique vibe and atmosphere that I know many readers will love, and quite the page-turner with all of its Shakespearean dramatics.

Chloe Gong, Queen of ending books with plot twists that will have you screaming and pulling out your hair. I should have reread the first book before reading this one cos I kinda forgot what was going on and who some of the characters are but I still enjoyed it so much and honestly what’s the point reminding yourself who’s who when they’re all jumping bodies every five minutes.

Chloe’s craftsmanship of worlds and characters is something I’ve never seen before. I slightly lost track of the plot at times but that’s on me not Chloe’s writing. Also the smut was the most eloquently written I’ve ever read.

My jaw will be on the floor until the next book after that ending, thanks.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.

Chloe Gong’s best so far. I loved Immortal Longings so much; the cyberpunk aesthetic, the Shakespeare meets Hunger Games plot, and the insane characters.

Vilest Things turns all of that up to 11. The plot kept me guessing the entire time, and I’m still screaming after that very last scene. The ending of this was very tense, very fast paced, and I need the third book right now, thank you.

I highly recommend picking up this series if you haven’t already, just so you can fall into exasperated love/hate with Calla the way I have.

"That crown was always mine. If there is anyone who knows how to get it back, it is me."

In this second book in the 'Flesh and False Gods' series, Calla has to reckon with her victory and betrayal at the end of book one. With King Kasa out of the way, the time has come for August to rule. Only Calla knows he's no longer himself.

Then, Anton's first love, Otta, miraculously and impossibly awakens after a seven-year coma. It's not long before she causes chaos by revealing a secret that's been hidden and forgotten over decades. Now, there is a tussle for the crown and control of the kingdom. Calla and Anton don't have long to figure out what's really at play.

Unfortunately, it took me a bit of time to get back into this world because I'd forgotten so much of the first book. I wish authors would make available good summaries of previous books – not all of us have time for rereads... Rant over!

That said, once I situated myself I was drawn back into this world. Both Calla and Anton are such stellar and complex characters. Their lovers-to-enemies dynamic works really well and I enjoyed their banter though sometimes their wilful misunderstandings of each other also annoyed me – talk to each other already!

I liked trying to figure out the central mystery and didn't guess the twist until the last few pages. There is enough action and intrigue to keep the reader engaged.

And with that cliffhanger, I have to hope Chloe Gong writes the third book really quickly before I forget everything about this one!

A series I highly recommend.

thank you netgalley and hodderscape for a review copy!

I loved immortal longings and it was my favourite chloe gong book until i read vilest things! I didn’t think this series could get better but it has! The world building is one of my favourite parts of this series and I really enjoyed seeing more of it. The characters are amazing 🤩 and keep driving the plot through the book, there was never a dull moment and it was so hard to put down. The plot has so many twists and elements I would not expect and the ending is fantastic! Overall i loved this book and will not stop talking about it for ages and I am so looking forward to the next book!

If this series doesn't end with Mao Mao taking over the world, I will be very disappointed.

I loved this book. The story, the humor, the magic—everything. Where the first book was a little slow, I felt the pacing of this book was better. I did not see one part of the ending coming, which was fun. I just need more of this.

This picks up shortly after the ending of book one, and takes on new adventures and obstacles, and i loved being on this journey with the characters.

Extremely fascinating to me that Chloe Gong has stated her struggles with writing this book, as I found flowing back into the world she has created very easy. From the jump (lol), there are plot twists, betrayals, added character depth to the established cast as well as introducing new key players, and plenty of political intrigue. I was interested in where the plot of this continuation would lead after the first book so heavily focused on the trials, and really enjoyed where Gong took the story and how it relates back to Anthony and Cleopatra. Love love love the toxic-but-not obsession Calla and Anton have for each other and how their dynamic shone in this one. I’m glad we explored more about how the jumping phenomenon works and the mythos that surrounds it. Whilst the ending wasn’t quite as explosive as book one’s climax, it was definitely still exciting, and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds in the final installment.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton , Hodderscape, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC!

Cleopatra is one of my favorite historical characters, and I try to read each retelling or a book inspired by her story. Some do it better than others, and Chloe Gogn does it spectacularly.

The ending to the Immortal Longings left me hungry for more, more Calla, more Calla and Anton’s passion, love, betrayal, and more August plotting. The Vilest Things did not disappoint; I got almost everything I wanted and more. Oh, so many more plot twists, unlimited magic, coups, and history written by the victor.

I’ll start with a couple of things I did not enjoy as much. One of them is the pacing, which is not a surprise considering this is the middle novel in the trilogy. The second book syndrome is real, and many fall victim to it. The 30%-60% was the hardest to get through. Does not mean it was slow or badly written. On the contrary, Chloe Gong is a talented writer, and the story reads smoothly, quickly, easily. However, the plot was not moving forward enough for me, and I had to content with getting more information on the past of Talin, Calla’s ancestor, etc. Once we hit 60%, the action turns fast, with never-ending plot twists, betrayals, and reveals, keeping me glued to the pages.

My other issue was Anton’s handling of Calla’s betrayal in the games. He seems to take it too serenely for someone who was just murdered by a lover and given the infinite power of a monarch. I would expect him to react more, show more anger, hurt, use his power to punish her for killing him, or at least loom over her with the potential of revenge. Instead, it was mentioned only in Calla and Anton’s internal thought processes, but no action was shown on the page, and no action was taken by the king. That left me a tiny bit unsatisfied, especially considering that Cleopatra and Antony is a passionate affair.

Nonetheless, the book was brilliant, and I enjoyed the story thoroughly. The games Calla and Anton play to try and discern each other’s level of trust, the secrets kept hidden and revealed in the least opportune moments, and ending up with the explosive Calla on the throne. The writing is superb and shows the depth and skill of the author to show so many faces of the main characters, their changes, growth, and ultimate path for the fated lovers.

I loved seeing August and Galipei plotting and showing their nastier, truer colors. I wish it was shown a bit more, especially at the beginning, with August fighting harder. But on the same note, the fact that he couldn’t get through even for a moment just made it that more humiliating for him, and his revenge will be sweeter and more cruel.

Calla’s ancestor, with her destiny and desire to right the wrongs done to her, being derailed by a village urchin, suggests the potential for a pure power war happening in the next book.

<spoiler>So happy that Anton’s sister is back. The burden will finally be taken off his shoulders. But her involvement with the Crescent Societies, the original magic, and the power of gods in her, does not predict a happy ending for her.</spoiler>

4.5/5 rounded up

reading vilest things truly feels like "it's so over" and "we're so back" alternating every chapter. i really should've expected this before diving back into this world after finishing my immortal longings reread, my bad. while the plot slowed down considerably because there was no more games to be played, the chaos has been ramped up by ten fold. this book begins right after the coronation happening by the end of immortal longings. the difference is with vilest things, the world is being expanded outside of the wall of San-Er and into the provinces and meet the councilmembers. the magics of jumping and qi manipulation (which is my favorite part because of how much it reminds me of the concept of astral projection from doctor strange) is also being expanded. what we learned from the ending though, changed SO MUCH stuff about what we thought we knew from the first book. i dare to say that this ending feels even more illegal than the ending of Immortal Longings because again, YOU CAN'T END IT LIKE THIS, CHLOE. it is not nice to play with my heart.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I actually liked this better than the first book! I got to know the characters better and liked how qi manipulation was extended.

3.5 stars

Vilest Thing is the second part of Flesh and False Gods.

I had liked the first part a lot, I felt that it had an interesting combination of other stories that I had read and in this second installment it is possible to detach from what I felt was like a... retelling. And it goes the other way. (I'm not talking about the inspiration in Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra).

In this second part we can get to know certain characters in more depth, new ones appear and the depth of the story takes very interesting paths. It was fluid to read and the truth is that the vocabulary is super enjoyable. In addition, we have the point of view of several characters, that gives it a lot of dynamism.

Just like what happened to me with Immortal Longings, I felt that the romance was something super forced, that it didn't add up to anything at all and that when it appeared I just wanted it to end. There are times when adding romance adds nothing to the plot, and in this case I feel that is the case.
Also, I felt that the Otta-Calla bond was super basic and that they seemed like just little girls fighting for a man's attention. I think they were about something else, they really needed to be about something else.

The ending is as interesting and spontaneous as the first, but I don't know if I feel as encouraged to read the sequel as when I finished Immortal Longings.

Thank you very much Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC that came through NetGalley.

I found this installment a little harder to be invested in. It takes a long while to get exciting and really give us what we had with the first one. A lot of back and forth, and I almost found myself skimming the pages. But I held on because I really loved the first one, and I was rewarded. Betrayal is everywhere and you wont know who to trust, or get to invested in. Long buried secrets will find a way to come out. Towards the end of the book, it really comes together. The characters crash together in an epic fashion and take us places you never could have imagined! Calle, Anton, August and a host of other characters are going to take you on a ride, push you to love or hate them, and that final chapter will leave you more than ready for more! I am glad I stuck to it and could not be happier with where it all seems to be headed. I find myself really invested in Calla and Anton!

This was deep dark and fantastic, couldn’t be a better second instalment for me. The tension, the betrayal, the politics loved it all.