by Chloe Gong
Part of Flesh and False Gods
First published 2023
Princess Calla Tuoleimi hides in the shadows of San-Er, the twin capital cities of Talin. Five years ago she massacred her own parents and fled the palace of Er. Now she plans to complete her mission by killing her reclusive uncle, the king. Her chance comes through the annual games, where competitors with the ability to jump between bodies fight to the death for massive prizes. The victor always meets the king, giving Calla her opening for assassination. She enters the brutal competition alongside Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat drowning in debt. Anton desperately needs the prize money to keep his childhood love alive as she lies in a coma. Despite being rivals, Calla and Anton form an alliance that grows into something deeper. August, the king's adopted son, also aids them while pursuing his own reforms for the kingdom. As the games progress and bodies pile up, Calla faces an impossible choice between her consuming feelings for Anton and her drive for revenge against the monarchy.
Genres: romance, adventure, fantasy, action, young-adult, dark-fantasy
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, gritty, intense, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, forced-proximity, found-family, slow-burn
Setting: San-Er, Talin, Er
372 pages · Hardcover · S&S/Saga Press
Content warnings: death, murder, violence