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A review by booksalacarte
Vilest Things by Chloe Gong
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
4.75⭐️3🌶️
Urban Fantasy
Multi POV
Eastern Asian Influence
Unique Magic System
Forbidden Love
Slow burn
Morally Grey MC’s
Political Intrigue
Betrayal
Rebellion
A Gripping Sequel that Delivers on All Fronts
This second book in the series is a fantastic follow-up! While the first book centered around the Games, this installment dives deeper into the political landscape, exploring how the kingdom teeters on the brink of civil war. With shifting power dynamics and secrets that keep you on the edge of your seat, I was hooked from the very beginning. The pacing was spot-on, maintaining a steady build of tension throughout.
The romance is another highlight. The forbidden love between the characters is filled with jealousy, denial, and longing, creating an irresistible “will they, won’t they” pull. I found the emotional conflict—the mix of fear, anger, and desire—between the two main characters to be incredibly relatable and engaging.
But perhaps my favorite aspect of the series so far is the magic system. It’s complex and thoughtfully developed, with new layers continuously being revealed. The system is constantly explored and explained, but it maintains a strong core that holds everything together. Even as the characters experiment with and question the magic, Gong skillfully keeps the essence of the magic system intact, adding depth and intrigue to the world.
Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Urban Fantasy
Multi POV
Eastern Asian Influence
Unique Magic System
Forbidden Love
Slow burn
Morally Grey MC’s
Political Intrigue
Betrayal
Rebellion
A Gripping Sequel that Delivers on All Fronts
This second book in the series is a fantastic follow-up! While the first book centered around the Games, this installment dives deeper into the political landscape, exploring how the kingdom teeters on the brink of civil war. With shifting power dynamics and secrets that keep you on the edge of your seat, I was hooked from the very beginning. The pacing was spot-on, maintaining a steady build of tension throughout.
The romance is another highlight. The forbidden love between the characters is filled with jealousy, denial, and longing, creating an irresistible “will they, won’t they” pull. I found the emotional conflict—the mix of fear, anger, and desire—between the two main characters to be incredibly relatable and engaging.
But perhaps my favorite aspect of the series so far is the magic system. It’s complex and thoughtfully developed, with new layers continuously being revealed. The system is constantly explored and explained, but it maintains a strong core that holds everything together. Even as the characters experiment with and question the magic, Gong skillfully keeps the essence of the magic system intact, adding depth and intrigue to the world.
Thank you NetGalley and Saga Press for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.