Hello, lovely readers!

We’re back with our August pick for ILVN’s 2023 Reading Challenge!

This month, we’re hopping into Immortal Longings by #1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong. And this is her first adult epic fantasy. She’s known for writing Shakespeare retellings full of angst, violence, tension, romance, and gruesome realities. You know, all the stuff we love about Shakespeare.

If this is anything like her previous novels, we are in for an intense time. And this one features a prince who can hop between bodies, a fierce competition for some big bucks, and a rebel princess.

Um, yes, please!

Check out this description:

Inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, Immortal Longings 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.

This sounds like a perfect bedtime story—full of the nightmare-inducing action and brilliant descriptions that I’ve come to know from Chloe Gong. I’m excited to see what she does with Antony and Cleopatra. Let’s get some blood and pain and romance, shall we?

The prompt for this one is perfect: Moon! It’s got a beautiful moon on its cover, and that is exactly why I put this prompt in the mix. You can’t have a paranormal reading challenge without a moon prompt!

Let’s fill in our moon graphic. I am ready for this new twist on a classic play! Bring it on!

We hope you’ll be reading our choice for August with us, and although we won’t be holding a live discussion in August as we ramp up for our Bite Me Box relaunch, we will have some cool Chloe Gong posts and a full review of the book at the end of the month, where we can discuss in the comments!

Be sure to sign up for our waiting list for the box relaunch because we have a limited supply, and once they’re gone, they’re gone!

Tag us at @ILoveVampireNovels to share your pick for this month’s reading challenge.

Happy reading!