Starred review from March 13, 2023
Bestselling YA author Gong (Foul Lady Fortune) probes her characters’ sense of identity in her wonderfully high-concept adult fantasy debut and Flesh and False Gods series launch, a clever riff on Antony and Cleopatra. Five years before the start of the novel, Princess Calla Tuoleimi of Talin murdered her own parents and went into hiding. Now, as Talin holds its annual gladiatorial-style games in the twin cities of San-Er, Calla reappears to finish what she’s started: kill the king, her uncle, and bring an end to inequality and poverty. Prince August Shenzhi, her cousin, aids her with this treasonous plan, but to complete it, she must first win the tournament. The inhabitants of Talin can jump between bodies at will, and royal exile Anton Makusa hopes to use this trick to win the games himself and put the prize toward keeping his comatose lover alive. As the games unfold, Calla and Anton strike an unlikely alliance that blossoms into a love affair—but only one can win, and to become victor, the star-crossed lovers will have to break their bond. Though this outing owes debts to both Shakespeare and The Hunger Games, the intricate magic system feels entirely fresh. Gong keeps the pages flying with pulse-pounding action, tension, and intrigue, creating an adventure that will linger in readers’ minds long after the last page. Agent: Laura Crockett, Triada US Literary.
June 10, 2024
In the first installment of Gong's (Foul Lady Fortune) "Flesh & False Gods" series, narrated by Jeena Yi, listeners are taken to a fictional world where people can jump between bodies, taking control for as long as they wish. The twin cities of San-Er are full of poverty and despair. The annual games have begun, and competitors are battling to death in the city streets. Princess Calla, the princess everyone thought had died after brutally murdering her parents, secretly joins the players. An unlikely alliance forms between Calla and another royal outcast. Both have their own reasons for competing, and neither expects their alliance to become more. Yi takes listeners into the dystopian world of Gong's adult debut, deftly transitioning between the multiple points-of-view switching within chapters. She provides a multilayered performance of Calla, capturing her cold, impassive personality while adding hints of the fiery emotion that lingers within. However, other primary characters aren't brought to life as thoroughly as Calla. Additionally, uneven sound quality may distract more discerning ears. VERDICT Share with adult fans of The Hunger Games who like their stories more graphic; a recommended purchase where tales of dystopian battles and political intrigue are popular.--Amanda L. S. Murphy
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