Chloe Gong Closes 'Flesh & False Gods' Trilogy With 'Eyes of Kings'

By Marcus Bennett

On August 4, Chloe Gong published "Eyes of Kings," the concluding volume of her "Flesh & False Gods" fantasy trilogy, which draws on Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra." The release arrived in the middle of a year the author has called busy.

The author spoke with Variety in late August about the end of one series, the launch of another, and an unannounced contemporary novel she has begun revising.

What does Gong's writing year still hold?

Her November calendar carries the next major release. "Deadlock," the sequel to her 2025 novel "Coldwire," publishes November 17. The book begins "The StrangeLoom" trilogy. Gong has already started the third and final entry.

"It is always really strange to talk about because 'Deadlock' is not out yet," Gong said. "That is coming out in November, but already I am deep in the weeds of getting that third and final book finished and I am very excited about how that is going to look."

She described the work in vivid terms. "I always love writing the final book in a trilogy because it is so explosive and there is so much in the world to figure out, but does it kill me a little every time? Absolutely."

Gong is balancing the unfinished "StrangeLoom" finale, the imminent "Deadlock" release, and the secret contemporary novel now in revision, all while fielding reader reactions to the trilogy's conclusion.

What is the secret fourth book?

Beyond her announced series, Gong is revising an unannounced contemporary novel. She described it as her first departure from historical and fantasy settings.

"It is secret because it is brand new for me," Gong said. "It is my first venture into something contemporary. I have been kind of teasing it as, imagine an Emily Henry love story meets the zombie apocalypse."

Gong described the work as her first contemporary venture and a deliberate departure from the historical and fantasy settings of her previous novels and series. Gong said her publisher has tolerated the public hints so far.

"I am super excited to talk about it more," she said, "and I think at this point I have done that teaser enough times that I am like, it is OK, my publisher is not going to sack me for that."

How are readers taking the end of "Eyes of Kings"?

Gong prepared her audience for darker turns from the first volume. The series tagline signals the conclusion's stakes: "At the end of this war, there can only be one king."

"I am like, guys, this is adult epic fantasy, I am not promising to go light on you and there is a fight coming," Gong said.

Gong does not search for fan commentary herself. "I do not look it up with my own volition," she said. "I like to save my sanity that way, but I have some amazing readers who will tag me in their reactions. They will tag me in their crying videos."

Reaction, by her account, has been loud and unsettled. "No one is happy," she said, "but everyone has had a great time."

Where does the "These Violent Delights" adaptation stand?

A screen version of her 2020 breakout has lingered in industry rumor for years. Gong reported no formal movement in late August.

"As far as I know, things are always moving somehow in the industry," Gong said. "But I do not have anything to report, at least as of now. People are always looking at my work. People are considering, and people are in conversation."

She carries few opinions about any potential screen version. "I have always said I would love any type of adaptation," she said. "I am such an unfussy author. I probably have the least amount of opinions ever when it comes to what an adaptation would look like, because I just think it would be so cool to have one at all."

She closed the subject with a public invitation. "So Hollywood, call me," Gong said.

What does this change for readers and publishers tracking Gong's pipeline? She will publish at least two novels before late 2027, while an unannounced contemporary title awaits revision and a "These Violent Delights" film adaptation remains in informal industry conversation.