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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
We return to the world initially established by the Violet Delights series. This book was the first one I saw in the Secret Shanghai series and was the one I first bought. When I found out there was another duet to read before reading it I was a little mad. However, I really enjoyed the first two books and they were worth the read to get to this installment.
This story follows Rosalind after the end of the events in Our Violent Ends. She has mysteriously become immortal after being saved from dying of scarlet fever. She decides to put her new found abilities to help heal Shanghai. But with her family in tatters and Japan taking advantage of the fractured Shanghai, she starts to think it may not possible.
When she’s assigned to work with another agent to figure out if Japan is behind a series of strange killings, she isn’t sure what to think. Especially when she realizes Orion has become someone important to her, something she had promised to herself she would never let happen again. However, Orion is stubborn but he’s hiding secrets of his own, even some that he doesn’t know he’s hiding.
I love Chloe Gong’s writing and can’t recommend her books enough!
This story follows Rosalind after the end of the events in Our Violent Ends. She has mysteriously become immortal after being saved from dying of scarlet fever. She decides to put her new found abilities to help heal Shanghai. But with her family in tatters and Japan taking advantage of the fractured Shanghai, she starts to think it may not possible.
When she’s assigned to work with another agent to figure out if Japan is behind a series of strange killings, she isn’t sure what to think. Especially when she realizes Orion has become someone important to her, something she had promised to herself she would never let happen again. However, Orion is stubborn but he’s hiding secrets of his own, even some that he doesn’t know he’s hiding.
I love Chloe Gong’s writing and can’t recommend her books enough!
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
4.5 stars
This book was heavy with the politics which made it a bit harder to follow but I overall really enjoyed the book. There were so many plot twists that I did not see coming and even when I thought I was onto something I just ended up being misled. Extra 0.5 for the ending. Can't wait to get my hands on book 2
This book was heavy with the politics which made it a bit harder to follow but I overall really enjoyed the book. There were so many plot twists that I did not see coming and even when I thought I was onto something I just ended up being misled. Extra 0.5 for the ending. Can't wait to get my hands on book 2
I unfortunately had 1 of the major to plot twist spoiled for me :(. But the one I didn’t know was an absolute SHOCKER. When this book was in action it was in action. Other times it was pretty slow. I have it four stars because some scenes were absolutely amazing. It did take me an awfully long time to finish tho. I didn’t have much motivation to pick it up. The last 100 or so pages were jaw dropping.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
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
This book left me wanting for more and more to be revealed. A spin-off series from These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends. Now continuing with Rosalind Lang’s story, who eventually became immortal and became a self-healer. She partakes in a covert operation as a Nationalist spy whose next mission is to go undercover in a Japanese business called Seagreen to answer who’s allegedly behind the chemical killings in Shanghai’s streets. But not without a partner, that’s where Orion Hong came along, another Nationalist spy. Quite charismatic for her melancholic demeanor, instructed to pose as husband and wife.
I loved the political setting change from the original series: Nationalists suppressing the Communist as they had the upper hand with the previous people in power, to now with no power to turn to and Japanese eagerness to invade Shanghai, each party has people investigating how events had turned in the last few years.
My obsession with duos with insane chemistry had me giggling, Rosalind-Orion, Silas-Phoebe, especially to Oliver-Celia… she finally met someone who she can be herself with omg! And the way the Hong brothers gave the best pet names, “beloved” and “sweetheart” made me scream a little inside. There’s so much fun banters between Silas and Phoebe, Chloe Gong NAILED with the brother’s best friend x younger sister trope.
The ending? Cleverrr. I did expect someone throughout the whole story to be the Priest and ACTUALLY made sense as to who it was when I rethink about it and flipped back to certain pages.
The only dislike to this book is justOrion’s mother sudden appearance, which yes I understand it’s the writer’s intention, however, I personally would have enjoyed more foreshadowing on that part.
I loved the political setting change from the original series: Nationalists suppressing the Communist as they had the upper hand with the previous people in power, to now with no power to turn to and Japanese eagerness to invade Shanghai, each party has people investigating how events had turned in the last few years.
My obsession with duos with insane chemistry had me giggling, Rosalind-Orion, Silas-Phoebe, especially to Oliver-Celia… she finally met someone who she can be herself with omg! And the way the Hong brothers gave the best pet names, “beloved” and “sweetheart” made me scream a little inside. There’s so much fun banters between Silas and Phoebe, Chloe Gong NAILED with the brother’s best friend x younger sister trope.
The ending? Cleverrr. I did expect someone throughout the whole story to be the Priest and ACTUALLY made sense as to who it was when I rethink about it and flipped back to certain pages.
The only dislike to this book is just
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence