Review of Immortal Longings (Flesh and False Gods, #1)
When I first laid eyes on Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong, I was intrigued. After all, who wouldn’t be drawn to a modern retelling of Antony and Cleopatra set in a 90s noir world with the haunting backdrop of Kowloon Walled City? And while I may not have received the e-ARC from the publishers (which, in hindsight, is perhaps for good reason), a shoutout to my book bestie for lending me their physical copy—I’m about to make my thoughts everyone’s problem.
Let’s be real: my rating reflects a clear lack of love for this book, but before I dive deeper, I must acknowledge the unfortunate undercurrents of jealousy and disdain surrounding Gong’s success. It’s a mishmash of misogyny and racism that should have no place in our discussions. I’m not here for that. Instead, I’m representing the justified critiques—those focused on the craft, the story, and the world-building to share what I found lacking.
World-Building and Thematic Depth
The concept had me hooked: a Hunger Games-style contest set in a dystopian city heavily inspired by historical Kowloon. Gong’s vision of a "90s Asian noir city" is compelling but sadly lacks substance. Initially, I found myself drawn in by vivid descriptions. The alleys seemed alive, but as I dove deeper into the narrative, I sensed an unsettling tone when poverty was depicted—almost clinical, as if Gong described just for aesthetic flair rather than real empathy. It felt misguided to have rich characters like ex-princess Calla and heir August navigating what is, quite frankly, a world rife with despair while the story glosses over the haunting realities.
The interplay of wealth and oppression just didn’t ring true for me. Calla’s grand plan to simply swap one intolerable king for another—a "nicer" one—barely scratches the surface of the complexities at play. Are we really expected to believe that systemic issues can be cured through a change of leadership? It’s a simple answer to a complicated question, and honestly, it underwhelmed me.
Characters and Plot Dynamics
Similarly, I found the characters left wanting. Calla’s yearning to "save" San-Er felt hollow when juxtaposed against the millions truly suffering there. It’s hard to root for someone living in an apartment with comforts while they claim to be fighting for the oppressed. Her motivations lack the weight they need, and I couldn’t help but wonder—after five years of hiding, isn’t it a little naive to think a shift in leadership will cure poverty?
The body-jumping concept intrigued me at first but raised more questions than it answered. How does crime get regulated in a society where one can simply jump into another body? The sex scene—where bodies are treated like mere vessels—left me unsettled. The power dynamics portrayed felt problematic, to say the least.
Pacing and Writing Style
Pacing-wise? It’s uneven. The Hunger Games comparison, while tempting, doesn’t hold up. Unlike Katniss Everdeen’s story, which tells of true desperation, Immortal Longings felt detached, lacking emotional gravity. The thrill is notably absent in the games, making their existence feel contrived rather than necessary.
Through all this criticism, I want to give credit where it’s due. There are moments of poetic imagery sprinkled throughout, just not enough to create a fully realized world. Gong’s ambition is stellar, but ambition without careful execution feels, well, lacking.
Final Thoughts
So, would I recommend Immortal Longings? If you’re a die-hard Chloe Gong fan or someone curious about noir aesthetics mixed with fantasy elements, then perhaps this is worth a read. But for those seeking tightly woven plots, nuanced characters, or relatable struggles, this might not scratch that itch. My reading journey with this book was mixed—at times captivating and at others, painfully frustrating. It was a learning experience, but perhaps one more aligned with curiosity than with delight.
As always, I welcome all interpretations—after all, that’s the beauty of reading!
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