Asian American Literature Fans

Publisher: HarperTeen (November 10, 2020)
Length: 480 pages
ISBN: 9780062821904
Reading Age: 14 and up

So, I saved reading this particular title for a time when I needed something entertaining. The Ever Cruel Kingdom is the second book in Chupeco’s Never Tilting World duology, following the titular primary installment, which I was a big fan of. This duology reminds me a bit of Kendare Blake’s Three Dark Crowns series which revolves around a set of sisters who, as in every generation, must battle each other to the death in order to ascend to the throne. In Chupeco’s duology, two goddesses are born each generation, one of whom must be sacrificed so that the world, known as Aeon, may persist. Let’s let the official marketing description give us some background: 

“After a treacherous journey and a life-shattering introduction to a twin neither knew she had, sisters Haidee and Odessa expected to emerge from the Great Abyss to a world set right. But though the planet is turning once again, the creatures of the abyss refuse to rest without another goddess’s sacrifice. To break the cycle, Haidee and Odessa need answers that lie beyond the seven gates of the underworld, within the Cruel Kingdom itself. The shadows of the underworld may hunger to tear them apart, but these two sisters are determined to heal their world—together.” 

The description centers the twin sisters, Haidee and Odessa, but this novel actually boasts at least four different narrators; in addition to the twins, we get the viewpoints of both Haidee’s romantic interest, Arjun, and Odessa’s romantic interest, Lan. What I found most entertaining about this work is Chupeco’s ability to shift between so many first person perspectives while also maintaining the momentum of the narrative AND carving out the individuality of each storyteller. Each storyteller has their own idiosyncratic way of looking at the world. Odessa, for instance, is constantly fighting off the forces of evil that have pushed her to accept some gifts from the underworld. Arjun is a plucky, devoted hero, who is always up for an adventure, while Lan is a fierce and protective catseye, an individual with particular powers of healing and emotive connection. Haidee is probably the most optimistic of the bunch, with a sunny disposition. 

The surrounding cast of characters is likewise fun, and includes Lisette, a character from Arjun’s ethnic background who also finds herself attracted to Haidee. Vanya, Haidee’s suitor, from the Golden City, has one of the best character arcs. I absolutely loved this minor character because he’s a lover and scholar of texts; he certainly could have been an English major if he didn’t hail from such a fantastically configured storyworld. 

I’ll pause here for my requisite spoiler warning, so do not read beyond this line unless you want to find out more about what happens. 

The conclusion I found to be particularly fitting. Readers definitely do not want to see Haidee or Odessa go the way of the dinosaur, so it was a huge relief to see it was Latona, Haidee and Odessa’s biological mom (Odessa was raised by Asteria, Odessa’s aunt and Latona’s sister), and Asteria take the hit for the problems set up by previous generations. Chupeco puts her own spin on the myths of Orpheus and Eurydice as well as Hades and Persephone, as the twins along with their allies travel into the underworld to seek a solution to Aeon’s troubles. The novel ends with some serious losses and several complications, but the solution to the need for a sacrifice is clever, logical, and fulfilling for readers. 

Upon listening to a podcast this morning (in late July of 2021), Chupeco apparently has about four books in the works. How lucky are we! 

Buy the book HERE.

Review by Stephen Hong Sohn
Edited by Allie Arend