Chloe Gong: In Conversation

Waterstones presents an evening with the #1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong as she discusses her adult fantasy novel, Immortal Longings.

Chloe Gong staked her claim on the YA literary scene at the age of 19 with the runaway success of These Violent Delights, inspired by Romeo and Juliet. With Immortal Longings, she brings her signature blend of East Asian fantasy and tortured romance to an adult audience, putting a fresh and exhilarating spin on another classic Shakespearean tragedy, Antony and Cleopatra.

Every year, thousands flock to San-Er, the dangerously dense capital twin cities of the kingdom of Talin, and host to a set of deadly games. Those confident in their ability to jump between bodies can enter a fight to the death for the chance to win unimaginable riches.

Princess Calla has been in hiding for five years, ever since she murdered her parents to free the people of Talin from her tyrannical family. Only one person stands in the way of finishing the job—her reclusive uncle, King Kasa. However, she knows he always greets the victor of the games. If she wins, she will finally get the chance to kill him. Enter Anton Makusa, whose childhood love has lain in a coma since they were both ousted from the palace. He’s deep in debt trying to keep her alive, which means his last chance at saving her is entering the games and winning.

When Anton proposes an unexpected alliance with Calla, they quickly find their partnership spiralling into something all-consuming. Before the games close, Calla must decide what she’s playing for—her lover or her kingdom. For no matter what, only one of them can walk out alive.

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 featured in the New York Times, Financial Times, the Guardian, PEOPLE and more. She is a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where she double-majored in English and International Relations. Born in Shanghai and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, she now lives in New York City.

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