Eyes of Kings Review

The finale to the Flesh and False Gods trilogy by Chloe Gong, the dark, adult epic fantasy that is a reimagining of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, will certainly surprise you. My rating: 3 stars

It begins with a prologue that adds an unexpected element to the story, making you wonder as you travel through the narrative, like an alternate Hamlet, is it this or is it that? Always great with the imagery; there are sentences where the words come together in imaginative feasts, dipped in emotional brilliance. The fact that the city, the environment, presents like a character is such a great thing. The rhythm, for lack of a better word, is punchy.

Necessity and the desire for power make for unconventional allies. The brewing of conflict is palpable, the political machinations rife as ever, the dynamics of belief and its air of superiority always dangerous. This is an exploration of conquest. The maneuvering for dominance is elevated by the abilities possessed by the main players. There is no clear hero; they are all deliciously flawed and I'm sure that different readers have different favorites they want to come out on top.

There was a disconnect for me, especially in the first chapters, probably a 'too many voices ruin the immersion' situation. There is no denying that a Chloe Gong story is always beyond creative, but this installment did not seem to flow, instead, it had fits and starts. There are multiple master plans unfolding, and even though the paths to them are rocky, the fruition is beyond satisfying to behold.

There is no denying this story will stick with you, poking inquisitive thorns in the bubble of your morality. Your breath is bated until the very end, counting on that last twist. Gong continues to be one of my favourite creative writers of this decade.