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scrubsandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
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
4.0
I was absolutely thrilled to return to this world after finishing the TVD duology. I felt like there was more of a political/historical plot in this one than the first series which is no complaint at all. Loved reading of Rosalind and her inner turmoils, her fake relationship with Orion, and Celia's own storyline. It has a cliffhanger ending but I am absolutely stoked for the next book which thankfully will be out within two weeks!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: War and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Transphobia
lqvekanej's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-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
5.0
What a beautifully written first read of the year. Chloe continues to be the master of plottwists and surprises that I never saw coming. Everything about this book is so beautifully written, I would reread it over and over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Gun violence, Drug use, and Violence
Minor: Transphobia
esme_t's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Gun violence, and Gore
Minor: Transphobia and Blood
lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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
4.75
A truly masterful historical fiction retelling with just a *hint* of the supernatural. I think I liked this one even better than the These Violent Delights duology. Audiobook is superbly narrated by Emily Woo Zeller.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Gore and Murder
Minor: Transphobia
thecourtofreading's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
the cover of this is genuinely the most beautiful thing i've ever seen. the book itself was good too, and i would read the sequel, although i'm really not sure how chloe gong is going to tackle it because the stakes are very high
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Gore, Drug use, and Gun violence
Minor: Child death and Transphobia
city_girl_writer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Murder, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Abandonment and Gore
Minor: Child death and Transphobia
caitlin033's review against another edition
funny
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Gun violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Homophobia, War, and Transphobia
loveyoulike's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
wouldve loved to see more oliver, i kept suspecting him because we barely (if at all, even) went into his mind :( love the pacing of this book, i didn't want to put it down at any point (it's 7 am and i haven't slept a sec)
i guessed correctly about romajuli, the mother's role, AND phoebe so i'm feeling super smug HA!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual harassment, Torture, and Transphobia
maple_dove's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
5.0
I have NOT been disappointed!!! I can't wait for the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, War, Abandonment, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Transphobia and Infidelity
Use of needles (graphic)betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
It's 1931 in Shanghai, and Rosalind Lang is trying to make up for her past. No longer able to age or sleep due to an experiment that saved her four years ago, she's now an assassin for her country. She uses her newfound skills to make up for her traitorous past. Now, she's known as code name: Fortune.
When the Japanese Imperial Army starts to invade, Rosalind's mission changes. Now, she must infiltrate a foreign society to see who is committing mysterious murders happening in Shanghai. However, as a part of her new mission, she must post as a wife of Nationalist spy Orion Hong. As the two attempt to work together, Orion is also determined to find out about Rosalind's past. A past she wants to stay buried.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of Foul Lady Fortune to review! This is a spinoff series of Gong's duology from last year, These Violent Delights. If you enjoyed Gong's writing in that series, you'll definitely love diving into this new one.
While you don't have to have read These Violent Delights to understand what's going on in this book, there are spoilers included. Just a heads up! It also makes some of the other character cameos more satisfying. In general, I think it adds more to the story if you already know what went on up until this point. But I digress!
This is pitched as a retelling of As You Like It, so if you're into those Shakesepare retellings, Gong does some of the best. For this one, she definitely adds that historical thriller intrigue. A spy and an assassin working together? Sounds like another series I'm a fan of (Spy X Family, if you're curious!). But this one definitely isn't as lighthearted.
I will say, Gong takes a while to get going in any of her novels. The starts are pretty slow, but once the action picks up, it picks up. It was hard to put the book down for the second half of the book. You'll definitely be hooked!
All in all, if you like historical retellings of classics with unique spins, definitely pick this one up when it comes out!
-----
A slow start, like Chloe Gong's other books, but once it picks up, it's hard to put down! Stay tuned for a full review to come next week.
When the Japanese Imperial Army starts to invade, Rosalind's mission changes. Now, she must infiltrate a foreign society to see who is committing mysterious murders happening in Shanghai. However, as a part of her new mission, she must post as a wife of Nationalist spy Orion Hong. As the two attempt to work together, Orion is also determined to find out about Rosalind's past. A past she wants to stay buried.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of Foul Lady Fortune to review! This is a spinoff series of Gong's duology from last year, These Violent Delights. If you enjoyed Gong's writing in that series, you'll definitely love diving into this new one.
While you don't have to have read These Violent Delights to understand what's going on in this book, there are spoilers included. Just a heads up! It also makes some of the other character cameos more satisfying. In general, I think it adds more to the story if you already know what went on up until this point. But I digress!
This is pitched as a retelling of As You Like It, so if you're into those Shakesepare retellings, Gong does some of the best. For this one, she definitely adds that historical thriller intrigue. A spy and an assassin working together? Sounds like another series I'm a fan of (Spy X Family, if you're curious!). But this one definitely isn't as lighthearted.
I will say, Gong takes a while to get going in any of her novels. The starts are pretty slow, but once the action picks up, it picks up. It was hard to put the book down for the second half of the book. You'll definitely be hooked!
All in all, if you like historical retellings of classics with unique spins, definitely pick this one up when it comes out!
-----
A slow start, like Chloe Gong's other books, but once it picks up, it's hard to put down! Stay tuned for a full review to come next week.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, and Racism
Minor: Child death and Transphobia