Immortal Longings

In the first installment of Gong’s (Foul Lady Fortune) “Flesh & False Gods” series, narrated by Jeena Yi, listeners are taken to a fictional world where people can jump between bodies, taking control for as long as they wish. The twin cities of San-Er are full of poverty and despair. The annual games have begun, and competitors are battling to death in the city streets. Princess Calla, the princess everyone thought had died after brutally murdering her parents, secretly joins the players. An unlikely alliance forms between Calla and another royal outcast. Both have their own reasons for competing, and neither expects their alliance to become more. Yi takes listeners into the dystopian world of Gong’s adult debut, deftly transitioning between the multiple points-of-view switching within chapters. She provides a multilayered performance of Calla, capturing her cold, impassive personality while adding hints of the fiery emotion that lingers within. However, other primary characters aren’t brought to life as thoroughly as Calla. Additionally, uneven sound quality may distract more discerning ears.