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greymalkin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I really wanted to love this, I love assassins and spies and interesting potentially-supernatural plots. But alas it didn't quite work for me. While I could forgive Rosalind for being a terrible spy, Orion was even worse than her and he _was_ a spy. And for an assassin she was incredibly bad at tracking people's movements and positioning and body language, all things that you'd think you'd need to know if you are a poisoner assassin. If you're a sniper, you have distance and can focus on angles of shots and such, but if you're up close and personal, you need to know what the person drinks and when and who they'd trust to give them food or drink. Or you have to know if they are wearing thick clothing that your hairpin can go through or if they'll move defensively in a way where you can scratch their skin... sigh. I spent the whole book wishing I could spend the time with Analisa and Phoebe instead, they were at least engaged with their lives. I am pleased about who Priest ended up being, if only because I guessed it from early on and was hopeful it would actually play out that way.
I found the plot and tracking of who got which info where extremely muddled, which made it hard for the twists and reveals to have much impact because half the time I was thinking "did I not put that together or did the author just not tell me?" which is not very satisfying.
The chemistry between Rosalind and Orion was not the worst but it wasn't exactly compelling either. It was more a "you're very hot" lust than any likemindedness of love or devotion. Which would have been fine except for how the ending hinged so much on his love for Rosalind overcoming his programming. I didn't buy that.
I did enjoy the history and cultural details, especially the bits with "Chinese names" and "Western names" which made the Romeo and Juliet stuff easier to understand.
Though dear god please some editor suggest the author include some other article of clothing for them to wear other than a qipao. There were so many references to it that it got distracting. Even just a few references to an "outfit" or "green fabric" or SOMETHING. Surely that wasn't the only article of clothing ever worn by anyone in that time period in Shanghai?? And if it was, then at least describe them differently? I know the fabrics and cut and embroidery and hand details would make a difference!
I found the plot and tracking of who got which info where extremely muddled, which made it hard for the twists and reveals to have much impact because half the time I was thinking "did I not put that together or did the author just not tell me?" which is not very satisfying.
The chemistry between Rosalind and Orion was not the worst but it wasn't exactly compelling either. It was more a "you're very hot" lust than any likemindedness of love or devotion. Which would have been fine except for how the ending hinged so much on his love for Rosalind overcoming his programming. I didn't buy that.
I did enjoy the history and cultural details, especially the bits with "Chinese names" and "Western names" which made the Romeo and Juliet stuff easier to understand.
Though dear god please some editor suggest the author include some other article of clothing for them to wear other than a qipao. There were so many references to it that it got distracting. Even just a few references to an "outfit" or "green fabric" or SOMETHING. Surely that wasn't the only article of clothing ever worn by anyone in that time period in Shanghai?? And if it was, then at least describe them differently? I know the fabrics and cut and embroidery and hand details would make a difference!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Classism
Minor: War
booksthatburn's review against another edition
adventurous
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
5.0
I loved every minute of FOUL LADY FORTUNE. The narration is a perfect blend of banter and introspection, with each character deep in their own plans and intrigues, punctuated by moments of tension and violence as death stalks Shanghai.
The worldbuilding is a mix of new details and brief references to relevant events in the earlier duology. There’s just enough detail to provide some updates on characters from THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS and OUR VIOLENT ENDS who don’t appear in FOUL LADY FORTUNE, without spoiling too many events from before. There are enough characters for the cast to feel full, but the focus stays on each narrator long enough to be immersive in their perspective before showing a different set of events. Rosalind and Orion's relationship in particular looks very different from each of their viewpoints, with Orion bemusedly accepting how hard he's fallen for Rosalind (without even knowing her name isn't Janie).
The resolution of the mystery creates a satisfying end point to the novel while also setting up what promises to be a fascinating sequel. I'm very excited to read what comes next.
*Updating with the sequel check now that this has been recharacterized as the third book in a series rather than the first in a duology.
As the third book in a series, FOUL LADY FORTUNE builds on events in the first two books by following Rosalind Lang after her earlier intrigues and betrayal. She is functionally immortal and generally impervious, physically stuck at nineteen, even as the rest of the world moves on. She's been using her talents as an assassin, but now is ordered to team up with Orion on a spy mission, all while pretending to be someone else who's pretending to be someone else, none of whom are herself, Rosalind Lang. It wraps up some things left hanging, with details about what happened to some characters from the first two books, as well as specifically showing what Rosalind, Alisa, and Celia are up to. There's a new storyline which can mostly stand alone (so much that this was originally listed as the first book in a duology), related to a series of attacks in the city, and the spy mission for Rosalind and Orion. There are several major things introduced, but generally there's more information about them without completely resolving them (as the next book is expected to do so). This isn't the last book and it ends with some very specific things left for later.
Enough of the story might make sense on its own for someone to have a good reading experience if they start here without having read THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS nor OUR VIOLENT ENDS, but the experience will be more meaningful if this is treated as the third book in a series.
The worldbuilding is a mix of new details and brief references to relevant events in the earlier duology. There’s just enough detail to provide some updates on characters from THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS and OUR VIOLENT ENDS who don’t appear in FOUL LADY FORTUNE, without spoiling too many events from before. There are enough characters for the cast to feel full, but the focus stays on each narrator long enough to be immersive in their perspective before showing a different set of events. Rosalind and Orion's relationship in particular looks very different from each of their viewpoints, with Orion bemusedly accepting how hard he's fallen for Rosalind (without even knowing her name isn't Janie).
The resolution of the mystery creates a satisfying end point to the novel while also setting up what promises to be a fascinating sequel. I'm very excited to read what comes next.
*Updating with the sequel check now that this has been recharacterized as the third book in a series rather than the first in a duology.
As the third book in a series, FOUL LADY FORTUNE builds on events in the first two books by following Rosalind Lang after her earlier intrigues and betrayal. She is functionally immortal and generally impervious, physically stuck at nineteen, even as the rest of the world moves on. She's been using her talents as an assassin, but now is ordered to team up with Orion on a spy mission, all while pretending to be someone else who's pretending to be someone else, none of whom are herself, Rosalind Lang. It wraps up some things left hanging, with details about what happened to some characters from the first two books, as well as specifically showing what Rosalind, Alisa, and Celia are up to. There's a new storyline which can mostly stand alone (so much that this was originally listed as the first book in a duology), related to a series of attacks in the city, and the spy mission for Rosalind and Orion. There are several major things introduced, but generally there's more information about them without completely resolving them (as the next book is expected to do so). This isn't the last book and it ends with some very specific things left for later.
Enough of the story might make sense on its own for someone to have a good reading experience if they start here without having read THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS nor OUR VIOLENT ENDS, but the experience will be more meaningful if this is treated as the third book in a series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Xenophobia, Confinement, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Transphobia, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Torture
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
theliterarymess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-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
5.0
If Chloe Gong has 1000 fans then I am one of them. If Chloe Gong has 1 fan then it is me. I Chloe Gong has no fans then I am dead.
I really appreciated a deeper insight into Rosalind, the reasons for her actions in These Violent Delights and the way she thinks she has to redeem herself after.
Sometimes it was hard to keep up with code names and loyalties, but that was exactly how it was back then! And after that epilogue I don’t know what to think about Phoebe.
As much as I love Roma and Juliette, in this book I felt that there were a lot more moments of chemistry between Rosalind and Orion, though possibly because in this book we got to see them meet and fall for one another despite their mistrust, whereas Roma and Juliette were already in love.
I was so scared I wouldn’t enjoy this book as much as the These Violent Delights duology, but Chloe Gong goes above and beyond every time. I love the Secret Shanghai secrets. I love every moment and every character that comes into play.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, War, and Violence
Moderate: Murder and Blood
Minor: Medical trauma and Child abuse
matilda_holroyd_'s review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Stunning a story of great spender Chloe Gong you’ve hooked me in and I’m here for good.
This story is about 2 spies who are forced into working a mission together posing as a married couple to try and discover who is behind Shanghai’s chemical killings. This book is based in true Chinese events fictionalised for the readers pleasure. It’s a fantastic idea and Gong’s execution of prose topped my wildest expectations. Honestly adored this and will be picking up all future work.
“He had gone beyond getting attached to her. She was his guiding saint, the polaris of his heart.”
This story is about 2 spies who are forced into working a mission together posing as a married couple to try and discover who is behind Shanghai’s chemical killings. This book is based in true Chinese events fictionalised for the readers pleasure. It’s a fantastic idea and Gong’s execution of prose topped my wildest expectations. Honestly adored this and will be picking up all future work.
“He had gone beyond getting attached to her. She was his guiding saint, the polaris of his heart.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Drug use
Moderate: War and Colonisation
maiadunleavy's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Gun violence
Moderate: Colonisation and War
Minor: War
thefebruaryfriday's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Violence
brynn_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
Despite this book taking me 3 months to get through, I really enjoyed it! I think the beginning was a little slow for me. It took me a while to fully become invested in this story. One of my favorite things about this book is the setting. 1930s Shanghai has such an interesting feel to it. With the way Chloe Gong writes, I felt like I was immediately transported into this world.
Rosalind wasn’t my favorite character in the tvd duology, but I absolutely loved her in this book. I also completely fell in love with Orion Hong. Their dynamic was everything to me in this story and it was so fun for me to read. I loved getting to read about Rosalind’s character development. It’s interesting to learn about things from her perspective and learn more about why she did what she did.
Chloe Gong has a way of always completely surprising me with the plot twists. No matter who I suspected of being the killer, nothing could have prepared me for this. It was just so unexpected and it completely blew me away. I was also completely shocked by the epilogue. I did not see that coming. How am I supposed to live my life now? I’m going to need the sequel as soon as possible!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Murder
raiynnn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
floreadsbooks2's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Blood, Violence, Death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence
Minor: War