Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Eyes of Kings by Chloe Gong, which is out now.

War beckons in the kingdom of Talin. On one side sits Calla Tuoleimi and Anton Makusa, and on the other, the recently dethroned August Shenzhi and Calla’s own predecessor Sinoa Tuoleimi. Neither will rest until the opposition is buried.

Calla assumed victory would be easy. She wears the divine crown after a violent coup, wielding the most powerful weapon in the kingdom. Then the provinces start to whisper of the old gods returning to earth, and suddenly the game board is flipped upside-down.

Anton thought he aligned himself with victory. When he swore to serve as Calla’s general, he understood the battle they were waging. But he fears Calla is no longer herself with the crown. Rather, he fears that Calla is returning to who she once was.

August would sacrifice anything for victory. He has waited his entire life for the throne, and surrender is not an option. In the face of age-old immortals challenging his terrain and the possibility of betrayal from his closest and most cherished guard, he must be careful who he trusts.

Because when the war ends, there can only be one king.

Loading…

Taking too long?

Reload document

| Open in new tab

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘Eyes of Kings’ by Chloe Gong appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi, Chloe! Welcome back! It’s been five years since we last spoke for the release of your debut, These Violent Delights. How have you been and what have you been up to?

I can’t believe it’s been five years! Time has flown. Since we last spoke, I’ve launched the Secret Shanghai universe that began with These Violent Delights and is now complete at four books and two novellas. I’ve also gone into adult fantasy with Immortal Longings, which is a trilogy that is still pending the third book while I return to YA with Coldwire. So I have been busy, but in the best way doing what I love.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I’ve always been such a huge reader. I frequented the local library constantly and I would read so many books every week—it was genuinely my only hobby as a tween. At a certain point, I was running out of library books to read, and because I loved the thrill and the escapism of sinking into a story, I decided to try my hand at writing my own to see if it would give me the same feeling. It absolutely did, and I’ve been writing ever since.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: One of the Nancy Drew: Girl Detective books, I don’t know which one because I swept that entire series off the library shelves and into my bag.
• The one that made you want to become an author: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid

Your latest novel, Coldwire, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Neon cyberpunk with teenage angst.

What can readers expect?

Neon cyberpunk with teenage angst! Just kidding, readers can also expect a vivid world caught in a cold war between two domineering nations, young cadets caught in a conspiracy, and railing against corporations.

Where did the inspiration for Coldwire come from?

For a very long time, I’d had the seed of an idea about a virtual reality world drifting somewhere at the back of my mind, but I couldn’t quite envision the accompanying story. It wasn’t until I did my senior year of college online during the pandemic that something clicked and I realized I wanted to write about a world in which virtual reality was trying to replace physical reality under the guise of safety and ease. And so Coldwire was born.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

There’s one very quiet scene that follows two characters in an abandoned penthouse overlooking the city at night, and it is the culmination of a certain character arc as well as the most I got to lean into a sense of pure atmosphere while writing. I really loved that scene and I’d been looking forward to it from the very beginning.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

Coldwire is written in first person, and I hadn’t written in first person for years at that point. These Violent Delights and everything that came after is in third person! So I essentially had to re-learn that style again, and it took a few rewrites and revisions, but the more I got to know the characters, the more I could perfect their narrative voice.

With it being five years since your debut and now seven novels published, what are some of the key lessons you’ve learned as a writer?

That writing is an art, and art can’t be created in a vacuum. It can be so easy to assume that writing a good book just means sitting down at your desk and getting in the zone for it, but to have interesting things to say, you need to see the world. I remind myself of this every time I try to force myself to write and it’s just not working quite right. That usually means I need to go outside for a bit and touch some grass.

What’s next for you?

Next is the conclusion in the Flesh & False Gods trilogy that started with Immortal Longings. I hope I can talk about that soon, because this final book has been a long time coming… And after Coldwire, its sequel is also in pipeline, expected Fall 2026!

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

I’ve really enjoyed Reasons We Break by Jesmeen Kaur Deo, which is also out now! Imagine Romeo & Juliet meets Breaking Bad with the most compelling characters—it was definitely one of my favorite reads of this year. I also recently loved The Poet Empress by Shen Tao, which is coming out in January and ranks as one of my favorite fantasy books of all time. And I’m really looking forward to Right as Rain by Tashie Bhuiyan!

About the book: To escape rising seas and rampant epidemics, most of society lives “upcountry” in glistening virtual reality, while those who can’t afford the subscription are forced to remain in crumbling “downcountry.” But upcountry isn’t perfect. A cold war rages between two powerful nations, Medaluo and Atahua—and no one suffers for it more than the Medan orphans in Atahua. Their enrollment at Nile Military Academy is mandatory. Either serve as a soldier, or risk being labelled a spy. Eirale graduated the academy and joined NileCorp’s private forces downcountry, exactly as she was supposed to. Then Atahua’s most wanted anarchist frames her for assassinating a government official, and she’s given a choice: cooperate with him to search for a dangerous program in Medaluo or go down for treason. Meanwhile, Lia is finishing her last year upcountry at Nile Military Academy. Paired with her academic nemesis for their final assignment, Lia is determined to beat him for valedictorian and prove her worth. But there may be far more at stake when their task to infiltrate Medaluo and track down an Atahuan traitor goes wrong… Though Eirale and Lia tear through Medaluo on different planes of reality, the two start to suspect they are puzzle pieces in a larger conspiracy—and the closer they get to the truth, the closer their worlds come to a shattering collision.

About the author: 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’s 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, she is now located in New York City, pretending to be a real adult.

Will you be picking up Coldwire? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Chloe Gong, Author of ‘Coldwire’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

In Immortal Longings, Chloe Gong set the scene for the bloodthirsty world we will inhabit over the course of this trilogy. Anton and Calla, my favourite backstabbing schemers, came into our lives and our hearts, leaving us reeling with devastating twists. Here, they are developed further, but so is the world in which they inhabit. We meet a new player that shakes up the entire game and learn more about the chess game under our noses the whole time. The political moves in the first book have rippling effects, shown as Gong expands this richly imagined world further. Everything is not as it seems and the game is more complex than first realised. We also have the introduction of even more new players and further stakes that push the narrative further and the tension increases tenfold. It is all about scheming and chess moves that are ten steps ahead of your opponent.

Gong masterminds it all with a careful eye and callbacks that make you gasp. The details are impressive and sow the seeds for further action to come, while also redefining how you may have seen what happened before. It is brilliant how Gong balances this wider political scale with the very personal dynamics at the core of this book. Those relationships may determine the fate of a country and there is a fascinating examination of the way power structures can be reliant upon a single person. They can be toppled easily or they can be so intrinsically woven into the fabric of our society that they can feel like they can never fully be unpicked. That question of burning it all down remains and there is a vivid anger that runs through the two books so far, especially when you re-examine certain moves through knowledge you collect along the way.

Anton and Calla are still our scheming, complex characters that we met in the first book. Both are driven by a desire for revenge and also to not only survive a world trying to destroy the, but crush it in an iron fist as they rule over it all. Everything is about power. They might kiss but they also could very well kill each other. The power of the body-hopping is pushed further in this book and more of the speculative aspects around it are explained, giving us a cosmic sense of history and mythos that imbues the story with a sense of grandeur. It also adds a meta sense of being doomed to repeat the same narrative over and over again. This was something Gong grappled with in her previous series, but it is given more pathos and nuance here. In the adult space, there is more room for darkness and it overall feels like a series more tinged with despair and anger. You have a little less hope in your heart.

Gong mirrors our political atmosphere at times, creating conversational parallels that are sure to spark off imaginations. Fundamentally this is a world that only thrives by the decimation of those you consider beneath you. The Shakespearean touches are there but this is an entirely fresh and newly imagined narrative, twisting the familiar into a completely different space. I like how Gong continues some of the plot threads you would expect to see, but more often than not, takes them somewhere else entirely.

Vilest Things continues a deeply interesting and dynamic series—I cannot wait to see how it all comes together in the next act.

Vilest Things is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Vilest Things? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong comes the thrilling sequel to Immortal Longings, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony & Cleopatra.

Calla Tuoleimi has succeeded in the impossible. Despite the odds, she has won San-Er’s bloody games and eliminated King Kasa, her tyrant uncle and the former ruler of Talin. She serves now as royal advisor to Kasa’s adopted son, August Shenzhi, who has risen to the throne.

Only Calla knows it isn’t really August.

Anton Makusa is still furious about Calla’s betrayal in the final round of the games. In an impossible feat, he took over August’s body to survive, and has no intention of giving up this newfound power. But when his first love, the beautiful, explosive Otta Avia, awakens from a years-long coma and reveals a secret that threatens the monarchy’s authority over Talin, chaos erupts. As tensions come to a boiling point, Calla and Anton must set their conflicts aside and head to the kingdom’s far reaches to prevent anarchy… even if their empire might be better off burning.

The post Review: Vilest Things by Chloe Gong appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Given that I write fairy-tale retellings, it may surprise you to learn that I’m a bit of a skeptic where true love is concerned. As a young reader, most stories I read were about the true love between a prince and princess. Seeing as a fair number of those princesses were sleeping when they met their alleged soul-mates, I was extremely skeptical about the prospect of their happily ever after. How could a single kiss could break a curse? And why was the princess always falling for some guy? Weren’t there other kinds of love? 

As an author, I’ve tried to reclaim some of these stories and allow them to represent the love that felt true to me. My upcoming novel, THE CRIMSON CROWN, is a queer reimagining of the rise of Snow White’s Evil Queen, packed with angsty sapphic romance.

But though I wrote a love story for that iconic villainess, I don’t believe romance is the only kind of true love that exists. In fact, I could argue that the wicked Queen was already in love before I found her–with herself. And while being obsessed with youth and beauty might have been the Queen’s downfall, can’t we say the same for romantic love? And just because love might look different–does that make it any less true? 

In answer to that question, here some of my favorite novels that examine true love in a wholly new lens: 

IMMORTAL LONGINGS by Chloe Gong

Though this is a retelling of Anthony and Cleopatra–one of the most famous love stories of all time–readers will not find fairytale romance at its murderous heart.

Chloe Gong’s adult debut follows Calla Tuoleimi, disgraced princess of San-Er, who spends her days plotting how to pick off the royal family who wronged her. Her chance arrives when San-Er’s deadly body-jumping competition is announced. If Calla wins, she’ll get her shot to kill the king and end her blood-feud. But what should be an easy victory complicates when Calla meets Anton Makusa, an ex-aristocrat who has also entered the games–for his own reasons. As the games progress, Calla and Anton form a tenuous–and steamy–alliance. But Calla knows that there can only be one winner of the competition and she must decide how far she will go–and who she will sacrifice–in order to be named the victor.  

While Chloe Gong packs her pages with enough steam to fog your mirror, the love in this book is less between our lead characters and more between Calla and power itself. You’ll be rooting for that couple until the bitter end.

THE JASMINE THRONE by Tasha Suri

This Indian-inspired epic fantasy series offers more romance than Chloe Gong’s blood-soaked battle of a novel, but Tasha Suri stuffs it with just as many knives (and every one of them is aimed at readers’ hearts). 

THE JASMINE THRONE is the story of Malini, a princess held captive by her power-hungry brother, and Priya, a maidservant with a magical secret. When Malini discovers Priya’s abilities, she enlists the reluctant young woman to help her depose her brother and save the empire. As the two embark on their deadly quest, their arrangement blossoms into a passion neither woman expected. But as much as they might care for each other, love itself might not be enough to hold them together. 

Don’t get me wrong–Malini and Priya’s love story is swoon-worthy. But what I appreciated most about this book was that, even though Malini and Priya harbored genuine feelings for one another, their true love was for their people. And they’d do anything to defend those they love the most–even from each other. 

SOLOMON’S CROWN by Natasha Siegel 

If you wanted Lion in Winter to be gay, Natasha Siegel has your back. I’ve not stopped thinking about the rival princes in her gorgeously written novel since I met them. 

SOLOMON’S CROWN is a historical re-imagining of twelfth-century rulers Philip, King of France, and Richard, Duke of Aquitaine. Bookish and brooding Philip is determined to use his reign to bring France back to glory. Richard is a careless party-boy who finds himself the unexpected heir to England’s throne. When Richard’s father, King Henry, makes it his personal mission to crush France, Philip and Richard form an unlikely alliance–which quickly turns to forbidden affection. But with war looming and their crowns in the line, Richard and Philip must decide whether their love is worth the cost of their thrones. 

Though Siegel herself admits in the author’s note that her work is by no means historically accurate, I love the idea that this story between Richard and Philip could have been true. If it was, Natasha Siegel presents these two rulers in an entirely new light–and gives them the story they deserve. 

IN A GARDEN BURNING GOLD by Rory Power

If you’ve ever wondered what Succession would look like set in a Greek mythology-inspired fantasy world, this book is it. And just like our toxic Roy clan, the love (if we’re calling it that) in Rory Power’s glittering novel is that between family. 

IN A GARDEN BURNING GOLD follows Rhea, her twin brother, Lexos, and their siblings as they all scrabble for their domineering father’s approval. Gifted with god-like powers, Rhea and her siblings use their magic to harness the natural elements of their country–all while their father rules with an iron fist. But when his position begins to slip, Rhea and Lexos decide to make their own plan to seize power and control the realm for themselves. Predictably, their father isn’t going to let his empire be taken from him, and it will take all of Rhea and Lexos’s cunning to survive the fallout of their coup. 

Rory Power takes sibling rivalry to literal god-tier status with this one. What I loved best about the novel was that, no matter how much they schemed, it was clear that the siblings cared for each other. Their love and loyalty were true, if complicated. But don’t worry–the story is filled with enough backstabbing and betrayals to make even the Roys’ heads spin. 

The post Sick Of That Same Old Love: Four Novels That Look At True Love In A New Lens appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Chloe Gong did something extremely interesting within her emerging brand of Shakespearean inspired stories by choosing to pivot from the tragedies underpinning her previous work to a comedy. The previous duology in the series These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends drew on aspects of Romeo and Juliet and her adult debut, Immortal Longings, published earlier this year and drew some inspiration from Anthony and Cleopatra.

The bones of Shakespeare here are excavated from As You Like It, a pastoral comedy of disguises, false identities, and miscommunication. Gong brings those latent themes to the forefront in this claustrophobic, tightly plotted tale of espionage, experimentation, and the looming threat of war. This is a series that has consistently raised the stakes, leaving a bloody trail in its wake. Foul Heart Huntsman doubles down on that, with looming threats materialising into real world consequences. The devastating final sequence of Foul Lady Fortune has far-reaching consequences. I absolutely adored the way these consequences linked back to the previous duology and there are plenty of nods for long-time fans, some of which are excellent payoffs from Last Violent Call.

That mesh of mixed identities is particularly prevalent for our heroine, Rosalind. Her cover has been blown and she is exposed as the latest fascination, an immortal super spy and former socialite. This duology has focused so much on her personal growth and development from the original series. It has been a real search for her own self-identity and grappling with the trauma she suffered before. Her voice is so cutting and calculated, but there is a deeply vulnerable ache to it that betrays itself from time to time. For me, it is like watching a flower blossom. That depiction of confronting your own guilt and trauma, no longer allowing it to dictate your life and who you are, is so impactful.

Gong’s writing is, as always, exceptional. She brings in unexpected moments of levity and joy, as benefitting its comedy roots. I did catch myself laughing at some of the witty dialogue and just from watching these characters interact. However, this is a dark story at times, delving into heavy topics and keeping those consequences real and bloody. Like the original comedy, there is a bleeding heart at the centre of it all, disguised in romance and levity. It cannot be fully concealed; it must be faced eventually.

There was one particular chapter ending that I knew was coming and the build-up had been deliciously unsettling. When I reached it, I had to put the book down for a second, stop and just take it all in. It was twisted and evil and so Chloe Gong coded. Luckily, I was able to tell her this in person. Everything truly has been building to this. After finishing this, there was an itch to go back and restart the entire series to see the little nods throughout. There is an attention to detail and mesh of genres that Gong pulls off so well. Those dramatic moments are earned through meticulous build up and only impact so well because you are heavily invested in these flawed, three-dimensional characters. The morality is always murky and firmly placed against the wider cultural and historical backdrop. There is that need to survive and that naïve hope for something better than this, often characterised through romantic aspirations and interactions.

Foul Heart Huntsman brings together a beautiful series that I will hold close to my heart for a long time. It is a bombastic conclusion in every sense.

Foul Heart Huntsman is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of September 26th.

Will you be picking up Foul Heart Huntsman? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends comes the second book in the captivating Foul Lady Fortune duology following an immortal assassin in 1930s Shanghai as she races to save her country and her love.

Winter is drawing thick in 1932 Shanghai, as is the ever-nearing threat of invasion.

Rosalind Lang has encountered the worst possible fate for a national spy: she’s been exposed. With the media storm camped outside her apartment for the infamous Lady Fortune, she’s barely left her bedroom in weeks, plotting her next course of action after Orion was taken and his memories of Rosalind wiped. Though their marriage might have been a sham, his absence hurts her more than any physical wound. She won’t rest until she gets him back.

But with her identity in the open, the task is near impossible. The only way to leave the city and rescue her beloved is the guise of a national tour: convincing her superiors that the countryside needs unity more than ever, and who better than an immortal girl to stir pride and strength into the people?

When the tour goes wrong, however, everything Rosalind once knew is thrown up in the air. Taking refuge outside Shanghai, old ghosts come into the open and adversaries turn to allies. To save Orion, they must find a cure to his mother’s traitorous invention and take this chemical weapon away from impending foreign invasion – but the clock is ticking, and if Rosalind fails, it’s not only Orion she loses, but her nation itself.

The post Review: Foul Heart Huntsman by Chloe Gong appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you’re looking forward to any!

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

New York Times bestselling author Andrew Joseph White returns with the transgressive gothic horror of our time! A blood-soaked and nauseating triumph that cuts like a scalpel and reads like your darkest nightmare.

This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Shadows Between Us meets Six of Crows in this spellbinding new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, and pulse-pounding action, where the eldest daughter of a renowned family on the verge of ruin joins forces with a mysterious, rogue enchanter and a handsome, ambitious heir to win a deadly race.

Foul Heart Huntsman by Chloe Gong
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends comes the second book in the captivating Foul Lady Fortune duology following an immortal assassin in 1930s Shanghai as she races to save her country and her love.

Into the Bright Open: A Secret Garden Remix by Cherie Dimaline
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

This queer YA reimagining of The Secret Garden subverts the cishet and white status quo of the original in a tale of family secrets wonderful and horrifying.

Monstrous by Jessica Lewis
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Forced to spend her summer in her aunt’s strange small town, a teen girl discovers dark secrets hidden in the woods. From the author of Bad Witch Burning comes another pulse-pounding novel perfect for fans of Supernatural and Lovecraft Country.

Your Lonely Nights Are Over by Adam Sass
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Scream meets Clueless in this YA horror from Adam Sass in which two gay teen BFFs find their friendship tested when a serial killer starts targeting their school’s Queer Club.

A Prayer For Vengeance by Leanne Schwartz
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

An orphan out to find the truth within a warped religion turns his poetry into prayer―a prayer that awakens a cursed girl hungry for revenge.

The Library of Shadows by Rachel Moore
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Funny, moving, and heart-achingly real, this romantic romp and paranormal romcom debut—through a haunted library with trapdoors, ghosts, and memories—is full of great love that triumphs over even death, perfect for fans of Ninth House and Cemetery Boys.

For Girls Who Walk Through Fire by Kim DeRose
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A dark and thrilling vampire romance set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Serpent & Dove series.

If I Have to Be Haunted by Miranda Sun
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Cemetery Boys meets Legendborn in this thrillingly romantic, irresistibly fun YA contemporary fantasy debut following a teenage Chinese American ghost speaker who (reluctantly) makes a deal to raise her nemesis from the dead.

When a Brown Girl Flees by Aamna Qureshi
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

In this searing contemporary YA novel from new voice Aamna Qureshi, a Muslim teen runs away from home only to find herself on a breathtaking journey of healing, self-love, and hope.​

Nightbreaker by Coco Ma
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Fifteen years ago, The Vanishing thrust Manhattan into darkness, forever changing the City That Never Sleeps. By day, resilient New Yorkers have adapted, clinging to the vestiges of their cosmopolitan lives. By night—well, you never go out at night unless you have a death wish.

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Bestselling author Ava Reidmakes her YA debut in this dark academic fantasy perfect for fans of Melissa Albert and Elana K. Arnold.

How to Find a Missing Girl by Victoria Wlosok
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

For fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and Veronica Mars, this whip-smart thriller follows a sapphic detective agency as they seek the truth behind a growing trail of missing girls in small-town Louisiana. 

Mermaids Never Drown: Tales to Dive For
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

14 Young Adult short stories from bestselling and award-winning authors make a splash in Mermaids Never Drown – the second collection in the Untold Legends series edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker – exploring mermaids like we’ve never seen them before!

A Hundred Vicious Turns by Lee Paige O’Brien
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The heir to an arcane bloodline must outwit their ambitious rival to stop a ruthless magical adversary in Lee Paige O’Brien’s A Hundred Vicious Turns, a YA fantasy debut—first in The Broken Tower series—perfect for fans of A Lesson in Vengeance and Hell Followed With Us.

All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

In the vein of Grown and The Poet X, Hannah V. Sawyerr’s All the Fighting Parts is a searing and defiant young adult novel in verse about reclaiming agency after a sexual assault within the church community.

Everyone’s Thinking It by Aleema Omotoni
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Mean Girls meets Dear White People in this big-hearted, sharp-witted UK boarding school story about family, friendship, and belonging—with a propulsive mystery at its heart.

A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak by Laura Taylor Namey
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

In this highly anticipated companion to the New York Times bestseller and Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club YA Pick A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, Flora Maxwell heads to Miami to find a path for her future…and finds her heart along the way.

The Society For Soulless Girls by Laura Steven
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A sapphic enemies-to-lovers retelling of Jekyll & Hyde, this dark academia thriller follows two roommates who must solve an infamous cold case of serial murders on their campus after an arcane ritual gone wrong prompts another death.

There’s No Way I’d Die First by Lisa Springer
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A spine-tingling contemporary horror-comedy novel that follows a scary-movie buff as she hosts an elaborate Halloween bash but soon finds the festivities upended when she and her guests are forced to test their survival skills in a deadly game, from debut author Lisa Springer.

Cage of Dreams by Rebecca Schaeffer
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

In this thrilling sequel and conclusion to the City of Nightmares duology, Ness is forced to make a twisted deal with the Nightmare Phantom—only to find herself embroiled in the explosive fallout of the agreement when a botched assassination attempt unleashes chaos into the City of Newham.

Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Inheritance Games meets Ocean’s Eleven in this cinematic heist thriller where a cutthroat competition brings together the world’s best thieves and one thief is playing for the highest stakes of all: her mother’s life.

What YA books are you looking forward to picking up this month? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 24 YA Books Releasing In September 2023 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hello second half of 2023 and hello to all the incredible upcoming book releases we can look forward to!

In this round up, we take a look at some of the most exciting titles to be released between the months of July and December with releases from the likes of Rachel Lynn Solomon, Temi Oh, Chuck Wendig, VE Schwab, Cassandra Clare, Rebecca Yarros, Christina Henry, and many more, along with delightful debuts from new authors you should keep on your radar!

Read on to discover just a few of our favourite July to December 2023 releases and tell us in the comments if you’re looking forward to any of them! Looking for our January to June releases? Check them out here.

JULY

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A ghostwriter and a struggling actor help each other on the page and in the bedroom in this steamy romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk.

Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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.

Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From bestselling author Darcy Coates comes Dead of Winter, a remote cabin in the snowy wilderness thriller that will teach you to trust no one. There are eight strangers. One killer. Nowhere left to run.

Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Jenny Han meets CODA in this big-hearted YA debut about first love and Deaf pride at a summer camp.

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A searing and earnest horror debut about the demons the queer community faces in America, the price of keeping secrets, and finding the courage to burn it all down.

Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Gideon the Ninth meets the Game of Thrones White Walkers in this dark young adult fantasy about a disgraced ghost-fighting warrior who must journey into a haunted wasteland to rescue a kidnapped prince.

Light Bringer by Pierce Brown
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Darrow returns as Pierce Brown’s New York Times bestselling Red Rising series continues in the thrilling sequel to Dark Age.

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Four women come together to save the summer camp that changed their lives and rediscover themselves in the process in this moving new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil and the Peachtree Bluff series.

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

An exhilarating and expansive new novel about fathers and sons, faith and friendship from Caleb Azumah Nelson, the no.1 bestselling, award-winning author of Open Water.

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center comes Hello, Stranger, a novel about finding love, confronting a haunting past, and figuring out what, and who, really matters…

The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett comes a heartwarming story of found family, love, and making connections through books set against the bombing of London during WWII.

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A fugitive queen strikes a bargain with her greatest enemy that could resurrect her scorched kingdom or leave it in ashes forever in this unmissable Egyptian-inspired epic fantasy debut. 

AUGUST

Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A teen girl looking for the truth about her missing mother forms a reluctant alliance with her former best friend…in exchange for hiding him from his cult-leading family.

I’m Not Done With You Yet by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Some friends–and friendships–are worth killing for in this dark, twisty suspense novel by national bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto.

The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Inspired by a classic of martial arts literature, S. L. Huang’s The Water Outlaws are bandits of devastating ruthlessness, unseemly femininity, dangerous philosophies, and ungovernable gender who are ready to make history—or tear it apart.

Accidentally in Love by Danielle Jackson
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A delightful rom-com where grumpy-meets-sunshine collides with enemies-to-lovers in this perfect summer novel, written for fans of Kate Stayman-London, Olivia Dade, and Denise Williams.

Guardians of the Dawn: Zhara by S. Jae-Jones
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Sailor Moon meets Cinder in Guardians of Dawn: Zhara, the start of a new, richly imagined fantasy series from S. Jae-Jones, the New York Times bestselling author of Wintersong.

The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The New York Times bestselling YA author of the beloved Gallagher Girls series bursts onto the adult scene with a fast-paced, hilarious road trip rom-com about a woman with amnesia who discovers she’s the identical twin sister of a rogue spy… and must team up with a rugged, grumpy operative to stay alive.

More Perfect by Temi Oh
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A reimagining of the Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus, for fans of Becky Chambers and William Gibson by Alex Award–winning author Temi Oh.

Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Push meets The Silent Patient in a gripping thriller that follows a woman convinced a sinister figure is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens—while the men in her life refuse to believe a word she says.

Actually Super by Adi Alsaid
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A globetrotting novel that takes a determined teen from Japan to Australia and to Argentina and Mexico on a quest to prove that humanity is more good than bad from the author of Let’s Get Lost and Before Takeoff.

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Marriage of Opposites and the Practical Magic series comes an enchanting novel about love, heartbreak, self-discovery, and the enduring magic of books.

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From USA Today bestselling author T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge is the tale of a kind-hearted, toad-shaped heroine, a gentle knight, and a mission gone completely sideways.

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Lisa Jewell returns with a scintillating new psychological thriller about a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast.

SEPTEMBER

This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Fake dating gets a magical twist in this enchanting queer romantic comedy where a witch worries that the real feelings brewing between her and her crush were sparked by an accidental love potion, and the only way out of the disastrous spell is a healthy dose of the truth–drink up, witches.

The Fragile Threads of Power by V. E. Schwab
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

V. E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, opens another door to a new fantasy series set in the dazzling world of Shades of Magic.

Dreambound by Dan Frey
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

In this thrilling contemporary fantasy novel, a father must uncover the secret magical underbelly of Los Angeles to find his daughter, who has seemingly disappeared into the fictional universe of her favorite fantasy series.

The September House by Carissa Orlando
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A woman is determined to stay in her dream home even after it becomes a haunted nightmare in this compulsively readable, twisty, and layered debut novel.

The Salvation Gambit by Emily Skrutskie
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A hotheaded hacker must outwit the AI at the heart of a rogue warship–turned–penal colony if she and her crew of con women want to escape with their lives in this electrifying sci-fi thriller from the acclaimed author of Bonds of Brass.

Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A small town is transformed by dark magic when a strange tree begins bearing magical apples in this new masterpiece of horror from the bestselling author of Wanderers and The Book of Accidents.

The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A spellbinding YA fantasy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kathryn Purdie, where fairy tales come to life with dark, deadly twists.

The Long Game by Elena Armas
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A disgraced soccer exec reluctantly enlists the help of a retired soccer star in coaching a children’s team in this smalltown love story in the vein of Ted Lasso and It Happened One Summer —from the New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception.

The Pomegranate Gate by Ariel Kaplan
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The first adventure in the Mirror Realm Cycle, a Spanish Inquisition-era fantasy trilogy inspired by Jewish folklore, with echoes of Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden.

Mermaids Never Drown: Tales to Dive For
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

14 Young Adult short stories from bestselling and award-winning authors make a splash in Mermaids Never Drown – the second collection in the Untold Legends series edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker – exploring mermaids like we’ve never seen them before!

Fly With Me by Andie Burke
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A sparkling and steamy opposites-attract romance, Fly with Me by Andie Burke is filled with sharp banter and that sweet, swooping feeling of finding “the one” when and where you least expect it.

Champion of Fate by Kendare Blake
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake is back with an epic duology starter that follows a young woman training to join a fabled order as she attempts to lead a hero to his critical first victory. A must-read for fans of Alexandra Bracken and Victoria Aveyard.

OCTOBER

Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The National Book Award-winning author of  Felix Ever After  delivers a beautifully tender story of two grumpy/sunshine, fake-dating actors navigating their love story both on and offscreen—perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall.

Making It So: A Memoir by Patrick Stewart
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A revealing portrait of an artist whose astonishing life—from his humble beginnings in Yorkshire, England, to the heights of Hollywood and worldwide acclaim—proves a story as exuberant, definitive, and enduring as the author himself

Unholy Terrors by Lyndall Clipstone
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Midnight Is The Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From the critically acclaimed author of In My Dreams I Hold A Knife and The Last Housewife comes a gothic Southern thriller about a killer haunting a small Louisiana town, where two outcasts—the preacher’s daughter and the boy from the wrong side of the tracks—hold the key to uncovering the truth.

Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The adult debut of #1 New York Times bestselling author Kerri Maniscalco, Throne of the Fallen is a seductive new standalone novel set within her fan-favorite Kingdom of the Wicked world, perfect for readers of fantasy, romance, and mystery alike.

Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Two outcasts find themselves caught in a web of forbidden love, dangerous magic, and dark secrets that could change the world forever in the start of a riveting epic fantasy series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Shadowhunter Chronicles.

Wildfire by Hannah Grace
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The latest in the TikTok sensation and deliciously “swoonworthy” (Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author) Maple Hills series follows two summer camp counselors who reconnect after a sizzling one-night stand.

The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

New from the author of The Keeper of Night comes a YA fantasy duology set in an alternate Tang Dynasty China, where a poor biracial girl with the ability to raise the dead gets caught up in the dangerous political games of the royal family.

The Dead Take the A Train by Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Bestselling authors Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey have teamed up to deliver a dark new story with magic, monsters, and mayhem, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Joe Hill.

Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Frankenstein meets Inglourious Basterds in this stunning Jewish historical horror novel from the award-winning author of The City Beautiful.

The Intern by Michele Campbell
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A young Harvard law student falls under the spell of a charismatic judge in this timely and thrilling novel about class, ambition, family and murder.

Juniper’s Christmas by Eoin Colfer
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From acclaimed, mega-bestselling author Eoin Colfer comes a Christmas classic-in-the-making–a beautifully illustrated novel about an eleven-year-old girl’s wild adventure to find her mother, protect a public park, and save Christmas.

NOVEMBER

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

In this clever and swoonworthy YA debut from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, life’s moving pieces bring rival chess players together in a match for the heart.

Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Amara’s journey has taken her far; from a slave in Pompeii’s wolf den to a high-powered courtesan in Rome… though her story is not over yet. While Amara plays for power in Rome’s imperial palace, those dearest to her remain in Pompeii. But it is AD 79, and mighty Mount Vesuvius is about to make itself known…

Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A sharp-edged, supremely twisty thriller about three women who find themselves trapped inside stories they know aren’t their own, from the author of Alice and Near the Bone.

The Future by Naomi Alderman
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From the award-winning, bestselling author of The Power comes a white-knuckle tour de force and dazzling exploration of the world we have made and where we are going.

Sun of Blood and Ruin by Mariely Lares – Publication has now changed to February 20, 2024
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rumor has it on the streets of sixteenth-century New Spain, there’s a new vigilante in town serving justice. This reimagining of Zorro–featuring a heroic warrior sorceress–weaves Mesoamerican mythology and Mexican history two decades after the Spanish conquest into a swashbuckling, historical debut fantasy with magic, intrigue, treachery, and romance.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Murtagh by Christopher Paolini
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Master storyteller and internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini returns to the World of Eragon in this stunning epic fantasy set a year after the events of the Inheritance Cycle. Join Dragon Rider—and fan favorite—Murtagh and his dragon as they confront a perilous new enemy!

Didn’t See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A hilariously fresh and romantic send-up to You’ve Got Mail about a gamer girl with a secret identity and the online bestie she’s never met IRL until she unwittingly transfers to his school, from the bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties, The Obsession, and Well, That Was Unexpected.

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in What the River Knows, Isabel Ibañez’s lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt and filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race.

Gorgeous Gruesome Faces by Linda Cheng
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Yellowjackets meets She Is a Haunting in this debut speculative thriller that follows a disgraced teen idol who comes face-to-face with the demons of her past in a glittering, cutthroat K-pop competition.

The Fascination by Essie Fox
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The estranged grandson of a wealthy collector of human curiosities becomes fascinated with teenaged twin sisters, leading them into a web of dark obsessions. A dazzlingly dark gothic novel from the bestselling author of  The Somnambulist.

Emmett by L. C. Rosen
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A modern-day gay YA Emma, with the spikey social critique of Austen plus the lush over-the-top romance of Bridgerton.

DECEMBER

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rival archaeologists must team up on a secret Aztec expedition, or it could leave their careers—and hearts—in ruins.

The Ruined by Renée Ahdieh
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

The stunning conclusion to the instant New York Times bestselling quartet that began with The Beautiful.

A River of Golden Bones by A.K. Mulford
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

From bestselling author and TikTok sensation A.K. Mulford comes the first riveting, enchanting book in the all-new Golden Court romantasy trilogy–A River of Golden Bones begins a journey of self-discovery, romance, and adventure for a young heir as she/they comes out of hiding to save her sister from a malicious, powerful sorceress and her dangerous sleeping curse.

Perfect Little Lives: A Novel by Amber and Danielle Brown
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Every Time You Go Away by Abigail Johnson
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Perfect for fans of Jennifer Niven, Abigail Johnson draws a searing and lyrical portrait of grief, forgiveness, and the kind of love that blooms in the aftermath.

Second Chances in New Port Stephen by T.J. Alexander
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A trans man returns to his Florida hometown for Christmas after his career goes up in flames, only to cross paths with his high school ex in this charming rom-com about family and second chances from the author of the “delectable” (Time) Chef’s Kiss.

The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Two wolf shifters agree to be fake mates but unexpectedly find something real in this steamy paranormal romantic comedy by Lana Ferguson.

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

A woman learns to follow her own road in this heartwarming novel inspired by The Wizard of Oz by New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra.

What July to December book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Get Your Hands On These Anticipated July To December 2023 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Something I have always loved about Chloe Gong’s work is how she draws inspiration from classic Shakespearean tales. You can identify the fingerprints of Shakespeare in the characters and overarching plotlines, but these are definitely Gong’s creations. There is always a twist, subversion, or challenge to these well-known narratives. Immortal Longings takes some inspiration from Antony and Cleopatra and for me, this was most evident in the sizzling passion and changing dynamics between Calla and Anton. These two could set the world on fire and would probably happily watch everything around them burn. This is a dynamic that you can never really pin down. Everything is a manipulation, a power play but there are also some feelings in there that catch sparks.

Juliette Cai officially has competition for my favourite Gong characters here in the complex Calla Tuoleimi. She is often cruel, but there are shimemrs of vulnerability and Gong ensures there is depth and layers to her character. She is driven by rage and revenge, going to any means necessary to achieve her goals. However, she is also driven by a deep desire to survive and some of the moments around that are genuinely heart-wrenching. Gong never lets you forget that this is a character whose hands are stained by blood though. She is a badass fighter, branded by her reputation. I also have to shout out Mr Mao Mao for being the only pure character in the entire book (as far as we currently know).

Gong has taken the beating heart of her YA series, tore it out and ramped everything up to eleven. This is a violent book, drenched in blood and death. The stakes are always rising higher, with new and intriguing players stepping onto the board at unexpected moments. She unleashes her trademark, cut-throat twists with some moments that made me want to throw the book across the room. If you thought her previous twists were awful, we have reached new levels of evil genius.

The entire concept of body switching is fascinating and connects to deeper ethical questions around identity and personhood. In this world, it is easy to lose sight of who you truly are and to keep running from the heinous actions you have taken. Also, as a literary device, it works as an excellent way to keep your readers on their toes and creates such a tense and paranoid atmosphere. When literally everyone around you could be an enemy in disguise, who can you truly trust?

As always, Gong’s writing is incredibly evocative. Her worldbuilding is incredibly vivid and rich. San-Er springs to life around you, until you can practically see the smoke and smell the scent of blood in the air. The balance of narrative perspectives is excellent, bringing together a variety of intriguing characters and giving us new insights into both past and present. As with Calla, Anton is given so much depth and complexity in his character. His perspective is one that I adored, filled with devious manipulation and desires. He almost callously ‘jumps’ from body to body with very little regard for those he has invaded.

Immortal Longings is a twisty, intense and vicious stab to the heart that you will absolutely adore.

Immortal Longings is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of July 18th 2023.

Will you be picking up Immortal Longings? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

#1 New York Times bestselling YA author Chloe Gong’s adult epic fantasy debut, inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra , 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.

The post Review: Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

As a disclaimer, while this works as a separate follow up to These Violent Delights, I personally think this is best read having read the original duology and Foul Lady Fortune. This reading order allows you to fully appreciate the character development, intricate details alluded to in other books, and of course, Gong’s trademark emotional anguish.

It is no surprise to anyone that I absolutely loved this book. Gong transports us back to some of our favourite characters with excellent surprises and twists in store. I hoped and dreamed that Roma and Juliette had escaped the cruel fate of their literary predecessors, but also loved how ambiguous Gong left their ending. We suffered through breadcrumbs and hints in the epilogue of Our Violent Ends and that note in Foul Lady Fortune. Finally, we are awarded with a return to our favourite spitfire gangsters. As always, their chemistry is second to none. In their own spin on domestic bliss, that chemistry has only blossomed more. The familiarity and joy evoked from this novella honestly almost let me forgive Gong for all the heartbreak so far. The keyword there being almost. There is still plenty of emotional turmoil to go through in this spying, serial killer thriller. The layers of mystery to unpick are fascinating and allow for the kickass moments we have come to expect from this dynamic duo.

Benedikt and Marshall are also back in their own thrilling adventure. This was an interesting way to look at their dynamics within their relationship and how political factions are shifting in the larger picture. The locked-in setting of the train heightens the tension and claustrophobia, especially when you add in spying, disguises and death. It felt very Agatha Christie meets the Ineffable Husbands, with a playful, bantering dynamic that also got serious and dark as needed. The way these two characters interact is always incredibly enjoyable and seeing how they’ve progressed as husbands is fantastic. Also, the way Gong ties the two stories together is nothing short of perfection.  It is so impressive to me how this vast, layered and complex narrative is slowly being spun together in time for Foul Heart Huntsman later this year. It is the culmination of so much work, with Gong cleverly bringing back some of our favourites just in time. You feel everything hurtling towards its explosive conclusion and it honestly built up so much more hype, even though I thought I could not be any more hyped.

Last Violent Call is the pit stop in the series that brings all the strands together and combines romance, humour, political thrillers, and a murder mystery into one maelstrom of a book. The powder keg is set; now we wait for Gong to light the fuse once more.

Last Violent Call is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Last Violent Call? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong comes two captivating new novellas surrounding the events of Foul Lady Fortune and following a familiar cast of characters from the These Violent Delights Duet!

In A Foul Thing, Roma and Juliette have established themselves as the heads of an underground weapons ring in Zhouzhuang, making a living the way they do best while remaining anonymous in their peaceful, quiet life. But when they hear about several Russian girls showing up dead in nearby towns, they decide to investigate—and ultimately discover that this mystery is much closer to home than they ever imagined.

In This Foul Murder, Benedikt and Marshall have been summoned by Roma to find the elusive scientist, Lourens, and bring him to Zhouzhuang. Time is of the essence aboard the week-long Trans-Siberian Express, but when someone is murdered on board, Benedikt and Marshall convince the officer in charge not to stop the train so that they aren’t thrown off-schedule. Instead, they pretend that they are investigators and promise they can solve the murder, but as they dig deeper, they realize that the murder might having surprising ties to their own mission…

The post Review: Last Violent Call by Chloe Gong appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

1. Undead Ghoul Meet-Cute by Kendare Blake: Frankenstein-esque “enemies to lovers” romance involving a lonely ghoul and a severed head.
2. A Thousand More by Chloe Gong: An immortal tries to reconnect with his mate after they are both reincarnated.
3. Who Will Save Me by Julian Winters: A guardian angel struggles to perform his duty whilst falling in love.
4. In the Eyes of Angels by Alexis Henderson: A romance blossoms after a recovering addict rescues a fallen angel.
5. My Demon Prince Charming by Sandhya Menon: In the hopes of securing a date to a party, a girl uses a love spell and accidentally summons a demon.
6. Katrine and Rowan’s Exit Interview by Sarah Gailey: Told in script, a shipwrecked couple is forced to give an interview before they are allowed to leave a cursed island.
7. Bride-Heart by Marie Rutkoski: To help provide for her family, an 18-year-old marries a mysterious stranger and, upon learning his secret, enlists the help of a goat farmer.
8. If You Give an Asura a Cookie by Akshaya Ramon: An asura (human by day and demon by night) hopes to discover the identity of the fellow asura she meets with annually whilst in demon form.
9. Kiss the Boy by Adib Khorram: A merman finds himself unexpectedly mated to the human boy who saved his life.
10. Piano Sonata No. 13 by Kalynn Bayron: A piano prodigy finds herself inexplicably drawn to a cursed piece of music and the killer demon that the music summons.
11. Once Upon a Time in Charleston by Melissa de la Cruz: A vampire questions the mating bond that was imposed upon her after she meets a handsome traveller.
12. Pierce My Soul by Kat Cho: A girl runs into a past love whilst hunting a vampire.
13. Banes and Blessings by Hafsah Faizal: A boy attempts to stop a siren-like creature’s killing spree.
14. Bloody, Lovely by Casey McQuiston: A teen gains the courage to come out as trans after bonding with the “bloody Mary” stuck in her bathroom mirror.
15. La Bruja y la Sirena by Anna-Marie McLemore: A sea witch and a mermaid seek revenge on an abusive and entitled human.

A multitude of themes and topics are discussed in this short story anthology, such as fate versus free will, love and heartbreak, revenge, desire to escape, companionship, identity, loneliness and isolation, life and death, and family. Eternally Yours may be best suited for teens and young adults who enjoy reading paranormal and fantasy romance, but may entice older readers who enjoy some paranormal, as well as those who enjoy reading short story anthologies like My True Love Gave to Me or Summer Days and Summer Nights by Stephanie Perkins et al. In my opinion, the ideal time to real this anthology would be in the autumn or around Halloween since all the stories include paranormal or spooky elements!

Since I’m not a fan of horror, I appreciated that, whilst being paranormal and spooky, none of the short stories were scary or overly gory. It was great that more than half of the short stories in this anthology included an LGBTQ+ couple. Additionally, the stories were quick reads (only around 30 pages each) and standalones (so you can skip any stories that aren’t of interest), but can sometimes be challenging to read as one doesn’t have time to connect with the characters and get invested in their storyline.

Lastly, my favourite short stories included in this anthology were A Thousand More by Chloe Gong, If You Give an Asura a Cookie by Akshaya Ramon, and Bloody, Lovely by Casey McQuiston. Furthermore, all the romance elements included in A Thousand More was delightful,  the mystery aspects in If You Give an Asura a Cookie intriguing, and quite the unique concept and heartwarming twist in Bloody, Lovely.

Overall, this paranormal romance anthology is a quick YA read that’s perfect for the upcoming autumn and Halloween season!

Eternally Yours is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Eternally Yours? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Vampires and merpeople, angels and demons—the paranormal is full of unusual beings. The stories in this anthology imagine worlds where the only thing more powerful than the supernatural, is love.

Contributors include: Kalynn Bayron (Cinderella Is Dead); Kendare Blake (Three Dark Crowns); Kat Cho (Wicked Fox); Melissa de la Cruz (Blue Bloods); Sarah Gailey (When We Were Magic); Hafsah Faizal(We Hunt the Flame); Chloe Gong (These Violent Delights); Alexis Henderson (The Year of the Witching); Adib Khorram (Darius the Great Is Not Okay); Anna-Marie McLemore (When the Moon Was Ours, The Mirror Season); Casey McQuiston (Red, White, and Royal Blue; One Last Stop); Sandhya Menon (When Dimple Met Rishi); Akshaya Raman (The Ivory Key); Marie Rutkoski (The Winner’s Curse); Julian Winters (Running With Lions; Right Where I Left You)

The post Review: Eternally Yours, edited by Patrice Caldwell appeared first on The Nerd Daily.