Immortal Longings

Written by Chloe Gong

Narrated by Jeena Yi

A NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER

Chloe Gong’s adult epic fantasy debut, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, is a “smart, imaginative, and brutal” (Wesley Chu, New York Times bestselling author of The War Arts Saga) collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.

Every year, thousands in the kingdom of Talin 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 finally gets her opportunity 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Jul 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781797154916

Chloe Gong

Chloe Gong is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Secret Shanghai novels, as well as the Flesh and False Gods trilogy. Her books have been published in over twenty countries and have been featured in The New York Times, People, Cosmopolitan, and more. She was named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for 2024. Chloe graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in English and international relations. Born in Shanghai and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Chloe is now located in New York City, pretending to be a real adult. 

Reviews for Immortal Longings

[Lauren Freeman-Jones · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dialogue was iffy, but the decent world building and interesting main characters was enough to keep me going

[Luke · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Found it really hard to keep track of the characters for the first 60-70% of this book. Liked some of the concepts but you were never really rooting for a character.

[Jessica-Christina (梅詩雅) · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Pls don't leave me on this cliffhanger......i need to know what happens!!!!

[Anna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

From start to finish, i loved this book. There were so many great elements to the story that made it an awesome retelling. The twists were great and the end had me screaming.

[Wendi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book! Slow to start then kicks in strong! Enjoyed

[Makeda Coxall · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is said to be adult but it reads like a young adult! It was okay! I really don’t know how I feel about this book! But a good listen! I do feel like the last act dragged on unnecessarily for some reason

[Billie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Immortal Longings
by Chloe Gong
Fantasy
Scribd Audio
Ages: 18+

Princess Calla is hiding in the city, waiting for the yearly games to start because she entered her name willing to murder the other eighty-seven contestants for the chance to finish what she started five years ago when she massacred her parents, but the king escaped before she could put her sword into him.

Anton Makusa had roamed the halls of the castle plotting with the adopted prince, but things went wrong and his childhood love fell into a coma and they were both kicked out of the castle, and the debt to keep her alive is growing, and the only way he can quickly get enough to save her is to enter the games, but revenge also can be his reward if he wins.

August, the king's adopted son, the prince, wants to rule for himself, to put the people first, and Calla is his way to the throne, but Anton is a problem that must not be allowed to win because Anton's love knows too many of August's secrets.


A 'Hunger Games' inspired story set in a city where most of the people have a gift; the ability to jump their chi, (soul) into the bodies of others and take them over. Besides that it is 'supposed' to be illegal, there are risks; the other chi could be more powerful, and some can't be jumped, but of course, our three MCs have extraordinary talents.

I will admit, I was expecting more from the characters with these talents, but I wasn't completely disappointed.

It was an interesting story to listen to, but not the greatest, sometimes it started to ramble, but if Calla's 'secret' had been revealed earlier, I would have given her character more respect. The ending, which for some could leave the book as an ending, or as a cliffhanger for those with active imaginations, was somewhat expected, though I thought it was going to happen differently. It was a good ending, but I'm NOT going to be pacing around waiting for the second book. If I stumble across it fine, but...

3 Stars

[Abena Amoah · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The beginning was a bit slow but the action and ending definitely makes up for it. Looking forward to the next book!!!

[Ekene Ogbue · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Okay, I won't lie. That ending is what boosted up my star rating because I didn't see that coming.