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honeycupreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
When I started reading Foul Lady Fortune I was afraid I wouldn’t love the characters as much as I loved the ones from These Violent Delights but it was so easy to fall in love with them. The relationships between these characters are so interesting to watch, from the complex sibling relationships to the lovely romantic relationships. I loved Rosalind and Orion so much that it was almost unbearable at times. Rosalind is such a beautifully written character, someone who spends every day of her life trying to make amends for
Oliver and Celia… I don’t even know where to begin. I love them so dearly, I loved every scene between them and don’t think I could ever get enough. Chloe Gong if you ever see this please consider writing a novella for them I’m not above begging and groveling. There were so many times I had to set the book down and kick my feet or take a lap around the room because I just couldn’t handle the emotions I felt watching them dance around their feelings. Even when one of them would say something the conversation would just carry on as if nothing happened and I just wanted to jump into the book and yell at them to SPEAK (I loved every minute of them being emotionally constipated little shits).
#AlisaMontagovaFansTexas!! I loved Alisa in the first duology but love her even more here. She blossomed in this duology and I couldn’t be more fortunate to have witnessed it. The way she truly solidifies herself as a character in this duology is so great, she proves time and time again how vital she is to the success of the mission.
I have a lot of feelings for Phoebe and I don’t know where to even begin. I loved her yet I also truly hated her at times, always caught between one emotion or the other never feeling neutral. One thing I did love about her character was seeing the relationship between her and her mother and how it truly affected the trajectory of her life. Everything Phoebe was, stemmed from her mother, and seeing her come to terms with the fact that her mother was never who she thought she was, was incredibly fascinating to witness. Silas on the other hand… I adored him the whole way. He was constantly ready to give all of himself for Phoebe and Orion, which was so beautiful.
I think I could ramble on about this duology for ages but unfortunately (or fortunately for whoever is reading this) I have no words left. I think the last thing I would like to say is thank you Chloe Gong for letting us spend at least a little time with these beautiful characters you have created. I have sincerely loved this journey and will cherish it always.
Graphic: Violence, War, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Medical content
Minor: Car accident, Torture, and Transphobia
bookedandbusy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Blood, War, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Gun violence
Minor: Trafficking, Torture, Transphobia, and Car accident
gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
There was some lovely dialogue about found family, loyalty and love here too. Very quotable!
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Xenophobia and Abandonment
Minor: Torture and Transphobia
savreads28's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Death, War, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Murder, Violence, Medical content, Gore, and Torture
maple_dove's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My only qualm was that near the end, it felt like things were quickly made up in a way that didn't line up with the story set in place. Not a huge deal though.
Favorite Quotes:
Regret is an emotion reserved for the powerless. There is no need for it here.
Phoebe felt like she was using him.
Well, she was. That part was unquestionable. Friendship consisted of reciprocally using each other with love, after all.
If I am to do some good, then I must make peace with my own limits. I would lose perspective otherwise."
We leave our characters during a period of peace, to continue onward with their lives even if they are soon to be surrounded by tragedy: as we all must do to some degree during our time in this world.
Graphic: Death, War, Blood, Violence, Gun violence, Medical content, and Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping and Transphobia
Minor: Self harm, Sexual content, Torture, Car accident, and Gore
Imperialism (graphic), Anti-transness (graphic)linblythe_pub22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: War and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Gun violence, and Death
Minor: Torture, Car accident, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Confinement, and Kidnapping
emilywemily6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Grief, War, Murder, Self harm, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, and Gun violence
Moderate: Torture, Medical content, Cursing, and Kidnapping
Minor: Abandonment, Classism, and Car accident
lisashelves's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: War, Violence, Death, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture and Vomit
jenny_librarian's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
A lot happened in there, and I don’t mean only with the characters. Once again, the tense historical Chinese background blooms through and gives this story life. The setting is its own character and really elevates the whole thing from good to great.
I don’t usually love stories where everyone gets matched, but these couples have been in the work for two books, and some of the side characters have been together longer. So I can forgive it. And the demiromantic and trans rep included so smoothly makes it even better.
The last act might have required some suspension of disbelief (despite everything, I draw the line at that blood transfusion 🙈), but it doesn’t diminish my love for this series.
Thank you, Chloe Gong, for introducing me to early 20th century Shanghai and its many layers through a story that started as a Romeo & Juliet retelling.
Graphic: War, Medical content, Violence, Gun violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Moderate: Colonisation, Xenophobia, Classism, and Racism
Minor: Transphobia, Child death, Police brutality, Torture, and Sexism
kassidyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: War, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: Medical content and Torture