Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy
Length: 384 pages
Author: Chloe Gong
Publisher: Gallery / Saga Press
Release Date: July 18th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

#1 New York Times bestselling YA author Chloe Gong’s adult epic fantasy debut, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra , is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.

Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin will 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 gets her opportunity at last 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.

Thank you to Book Club Favorites for the gifted copy and the publisher for an eARC.

A LITTLE LET DOWN.

I am OBSESSED, obsessed, with Gong’s YA series (go read it now please). And when I had the chance to get my hands on this I jumped so fast. And now I’m writing a review I don’t want to because I’m a little let down by the whole thing.

The idea of an epic fantasy was there, but the execution was not. Bogged down by heavy, complicated world building in the initial chapters had my mind clouded and it took way too long to figure things out. The magic system is unique, jumping bodies and qi and how that all flows together. Loved that, and I loved it more when it finally made sense against the back drop of the world building.

Romance wise, also a super mixed bag. It was tossed haphazardly in and all of a sudden I was getting I love you‘s without having that connection. I didn’t mind the characters or the fac there was a romance (of course, y’all know me), buuut once again, lacking in general execution. I liked the multiple points of view and seeing different angles of the competitors and pro/antagonists. It did allow for a wider view of the story at large.

I’ll read the second book because the ending was intriguing enough to give it a go. And now that I feel like I have a hold on everything I think the plot will flow better too.

Overall audience notes:

• Fantasy
• Language: some strong
• Romance: 1 open; low explicit
• Violence: high
• Trigger/Content Warnings: moderate blood/gore depiction, loss of life, physical and weapons altercations

Instagram || Goodreads || The StoryGraph || TikTok