Two YA novelists make their adult fantasy debuts with gladiatorial games and a Cinderella retelling.

Gong, Chloe. Immortal Longings. Gallery/Saga. (Flesh & False Gods, Bk. 1). Jul. 2023. 384p. ISBN 9781668000229. $28.99. FANTASY
Three participants in the capital’s annual gladiatorial games have more on their minds than just emerging at the top of this year’s pile of corpses. Calla, a discarded princess, believes the only way to save her country is to eliminate the monarchy—starting with the usurper who took her throne. Exiled noble Anton just wants revenge on everyone from the king on down—and he wants Calla. Meanwhile, Crown Prince August rigs the games to ensure his father’s death and make Calla the scapegoat. As they battle it out, Calla and Anton go from enemies to lovers and back again in an endless cycle of sex and betrayal, while the city crumbles and the crown prince waits impatiently in the wings. VERDICT Best-selling YA novelist Gong’s (Last Violent Call) adult epic-fantasy debut combines a plot of corrupt politics and rotting empires with the adrenaline rush of combat and intrigue and a romance that is literally for the ages, based on the tempestuous relationship in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra. Lovers of Sarah J. Maas’s epic romantasy novels and the kickass fighting queens in Jennifer Estep’s “Gargoyle Queen” series won’t be able to turn these pages fast enough.—Marlene Harris

★Soria, D.L. Thief Liar Lady. Del Rey: Ballantine. Jul. 2023. 416p. ISBN 9780593358054. $27. FANTASY
Soria’s (Fire with Fire) adult debut is a Cinderella retelling in a fantasy kingdom with access to magic. The story begins after the fairytale meeting, with twists and a true love that isn’t expected. Ash and her stepsisters have been trained by her stepmother to use magic to manipulate and control, with the goal of forming an influential marriage. The day of Prince Everett’s ball, Ash uses magic to get the prince to fall in love with her. After he sweeps Ash away from her evil stepmother to the palace, they begin to plan their wedding. Unbeknownst to Ash, however, there is another prince there, the hostage prince Rance of Eloria, whose charm is distracting Ash from her original scheme. VERDICT Soria’s novel will grab readers right from the first page with her strong women characters and unexpected twists on a classic tale, as it alternates between the present and past, slowly revealing the real story and the depth of the characters. Fans of Marissa Meyer, Holly Black, and Rebecca Ross will enjoy this read.—Leigh Verburg