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Title: Vilest Things (Flesh and False Gods #2)
Author: Chloe Gong
Source: Pasco County Library System
Publication Date: September 10, 2024
Synopsis: Goodreads
Purchase Link: Amazon

Other books in this series:
Immortal Longings (Flesh and False Gods #1)

Why did I choose to read this book?

Immortal Longings (book 1) was intriguing enough that I wanted to see where the series was going to go. I wanted more information about the mythology of the world as well as the politics. To be fair, book 1 wasn’t a huge cliffhanger or anything, and I could have probably lived without continuing the series, but I had time and I was interested.

What is this book about?

The king has been killed, and without spoiling anything, the successor has risen to the throne. I would say that this story is more about the origins of all the magical, jumping abilities that people have. There’s a footrace to claim the real crown that gives its bearer the divine right to rule, but the true story here are how the past gods and personalities from before the war are starting to wield influence and return to seek their vengeance. Past decisions are reaping what was sown.

What is notable about this story?

I enjoyed the secondary characters most this time. Calla’s former attendants get involved with the secret societies in their city and end up accidentally working for them. Watching them be clever in Calla’s absence (she’s off hunting the real crown) was a real delight. I care about them very much so it mattered to me what happened to them.

Was anything not so great?

There is so much history and mythology waiting in the wings of this world that I feel like I need so much more information about. The ending of this book was so unsettling and confusing because (1) I think it was meant to be like that and (2) we have the barest frame of reference for whatever the heck is happening. I get that it’s meant to be a better cliffhanger than the first book and that hopefully in the third we get to learn more about who Otta, Calla, and Anton really are, but I feel like if I had known more about “them” sooner, there might have been a better growing sense of dread? I’d rather feel like “oh no, what’s gonna happen next?!?” because I’m invested instead of “what is going on here, well I guess I have to read the next book to find out.” That second one feels like I’m being strung along, the first one feels like better writing. I do plan on being strung along, whenever the third book comes out, but I’m gonna complain the whole time.

What’s the verdict?

I gave it 4 stars on Goodreads, mostly because of the secondary storylines and the weird crown twist, but it’s a weak 4. This series is a new kind of world built on familiar foundations of other popular trilogies and series, so it will pique your curiosity while helping you feel comfortable, but it will also have you saying “wait what?” more often than you might like. I read them and it was good enough to keep going, so it might also be worth your time too.