In the shadowy alleys and cramped buildings of San-Er, a city that never sleeps and rarely sees the sun, Chloe Gong weaves a tale of ambition, betrayal, and star-crossed lovers in her adult fantasy debut, Immortal Longings. Drawing inspiration from Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, Gong crafts a world where body-jumping is as common as breathing and power is as fleeting as the lives snuffed out in the brutal games that captivate the twin cities. While Gong’s imagination soars in creating this unique setting, the execution often stumbles, leaving readers with a novel that, like its protagonists, is caught between greatness and mediocrity.
A Claustrophobic World of Endless Possibilities
The true star of Immortal Longings is undoubtedly the setting. San-Er, inspired by the infamous Kowloon Walled City, is a character in its own right. Gong’s depiction of this overcrowded, lawless metropolis is vivid and oppressive:
“San-Er spends each moment functioning off the fumes of its last. There is no other way to survive.”
The author excels at creating a palpable sense of claustrophobia, where sunlight is a rare commodity and privacy is non-existent. The concept of body-jumping adds an intriguing layer to this already complex world, raising questions about identity, mortality, and the nature of power.
However, while the world-building is undeniably creative, it often feels underdeveloped. The rules governing body-jumping are vague and inconsistent, leaving readers with more questions than answers. The history and politics of Talin, the kingdom in which San-Er exists, are similarly sketchy, making it difficult to fully grasp the stakes of the conflict.
A Love Story Struggling to Ignite
At the heart of Immortal Longings is the relationship between Calla Tuoleimi, the exiled princess turned ruthless competitor, and Anton Makusa, the disgraced aristocrat fighting for a lost love. Gong clearly aims to recreate the passionate, tumultuous romance of Antony and Cleopatra, but the result falls short of its lofty ambitions.
While there are moments of genuine chemistry between Calla and Anton, their relationship often feels rushed and underdeveloped. The transition from wary allies to lovers happens so quickly that it’s hard to believe in the depth of their feelings. Their dialogue, meant to be witty and charged with tension, sometimes comes across as forced:
“Don’t get used to it,” Calla warns.
“I would never.”
The author’s attempt to balance the romantic plot with the political intrigue and action sequences often leaves both aspects feeling shortchanged. The result is a love story that never quite reaches the epic proportions it aspires to.
Characters: A Mixed Bag of Motivations
Calla Tuoleimi is a complex and often compelling protagonist. Her internal struggle between duty and desire, between her mission to overthrow the monarchy and her growing feelings for Anton, provides some of the novel’s most intriguing moments. However, her character development is inconsistent, with her motivations and loyalties shifting too abruptly to be entirely believable.
Anton Makusa, while charismatic, lacks the depth needed to make him a truly memorable character. His unwavering devotion to his comatose childhood love, Otta, feels more like a plot device than a genuine emotional drive. Secondary characters, such as the cunning Prince August and the enigmatic Pampi, show promise but are ultimately underutilized.
Pacing: A Rollercoaster Ride with Too Many Loops
Gong’s writing style is undeniably energetic, propelling the story forward at a breakneck pace. This works well during the action sequences, particularly the brutal fights of the games, which are vividly depicted and genuinely thrilling. However, this relentless pacing comes at a cost. Quieter moments, necessary for character development and world-building, are often rushed or skipped entirely.
The plot, while intricate, sometimes feels convoluted. Multiple twists and revelations in the final act, while exciting, strain credibility and leave little time for emotional impact to resonate. The ending, clearly setting up for the sequel, feels abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving too many loose ends dangling.
Themes: Ambition and Its Costs
Despite its flaws, Immortal Longings does grapple with some weighty themes. The nature of power and the cost of ambition are explored through multiple characters, each representing different facets of the same struggle. The body-jumping mechanic serves as an effective metaphor for the way power can corrupt and consume, leaving one’s true self behind.
The novel also touches on issues of class disparity and the exploitation of the masses for the entertainment of the elite, though these themes are not explored as deeply as they could be. The games themselves serve as a brutal commentary on the lengths people will go to for a chance at a better life, even if that chance is illusory.
Prose: Flashes of Brilliance Amidst the Chaos
Gong’s prose is a mixed bag. At its best, it’s lyrical and evocative, painting vivid pictures of San-Er’s gritty streets and the opulent palace:
“The Palace of Union look like some miracle growing out of the ugliest crevasses.”
However, the writing can also be overwrought, with metaphors pushed past their breaking point and dialogue that sometimes veers into melodrama. The constant shifts in perspective, while intended to build tension, can be disorienting and disruptive to the flow of the narrative.
Final Verdict: A Flawed but Promising Start
Immortal Longings is a novel of great ambition that doesn’t quite live up to its potential. While Gong’s creativity in world-building and her ability to craft thrilling action sequences are undeniable, the novel is held back by underdeveloped characters, inconsistent pacing, and a romance that never fully ignites.
For fans of dark fantasy and political intrigue, there’s enough here to warrant a read, particularly if you’re intrigued by the concept of body-jumping and don’t mind a heavy dose of violence. However, those looking for a fully realized world or a deeply romantic tale may find themselves disappointed.
Ultimately, Immortal Longings feels like a first draft of what could be a truly great fantasy series. With more attention to character development, world-building, and pacing, the subsequent books in the Flesh and False Gods trilogy have the potential to elevate the series into something truly special. As it stands, this debut is a awed but intriguing start, hinting at greater things to come but not quite reaching them.
The Good:
- Unique and vividly imagined setting
- Thrilling action sequences
- Intriguing body-jumping concept
- Ambitious themes and political intrigue
The Bad:
- Underdeveloped characters and relationships
- Inconsistent pacing
- Vague world-building rules
- Rushed and unsatisfying ending
Immortal Longings may not be the groundbreaking fantasy debut some were hoping for, but it shows enough promise to make the next installment in the trilogy, Vilest Things, worth anticipating. Like the city of San-Er itself, Gong’s novel is a chaotic, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately fascinating creation that leaves you curious to see what lies beneath its turbulent surface.
