Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada, July 18th, 2023

Format: ebook

Pages: 372

Rating: 5/5 stars

Summary (Goodreads):

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.

My Review:

Read if you like: female protagonists, retellings
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Inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, Calla and Anton both enter a set of games where there is only one winner left alive, but for different reasons. They find allies with each other and they work together to stay alive and make it to the end of the competition.
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I loved this book. The action, the fast-paced plot, and Shakespeare’s inspiration. For Gong’s first adult fantasy, this was very well done!
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Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for the copy of this book.