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A review by finickyreader
Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? No
4.5
How should I begin this review? This is a spin off based on Rosalind Lang, the cousin to Juliette Cai - one of the main characters in the These Violent Delights duology. Now if you've read those books you know what Rosa did in that story. Lady Fortune is about her dealing with the aftermath of her decisions and the severe consequences of it.
Just like in the previous books, this also has a fantasy element to it but it's not monsters - it has to do with Rosa herself - through some questionable "medicine" she's become an immortal then trained to be an assassin for the Nationalist Party. She has no real care for herself because she believes she doesn't deserve it. Rosa is very jaded determined not to care for anyone beyond her sister Celia. But, with the help of her partner she learns to stop doing that. Her journey that begins in this book is really enjoyable to read.
We also get introduced to her love interest and partner - the spy, Orion Hong. I LOVE HIM. Orion is the sunshine to Rosa's grump. He's so cute and earnest. Not that he doesn't have his own issues because he does regarding the absence of both his parents and the very difficult relationship with his older brother Oliver. He still maintains his wonderful personality. Alongside his anxious best friend Silas and feisty little sister Phoebe; Orion is one the best characters of the Secret Shanghai series.
Alisa and Celia/Kathleen also come back and they've grown into their own becoming spies themselves. I liked Alisa in the previous books but really come to love her in this book.
I also want to mention the representation in this book in my humble opinion was done beautifully and without clunky insertion into the story. There was Bisexual, Trans, Gay and Demi rep. It was done so well - the trans rep in particular was a surprised to me but I loved the way it was done - while it was an important part of the character she didn't make it the only thing about that character.
Now, onto the 3 crazy reveals in the third act of the book. I was blown away. Maybe other people reading this book figured it out but I sure as hell had no idea. I was flabbergasted in the best way. It's got me so excited to read the next book.
Also, a little something I've noticed after reading two of Chloe Gong's books, is that the first half of the book is okay for me but then the last starts and it just goes wild. She's got me hook line and sinker LOL.
p.s fuck Lady and General Hong *middlefingermiddlefinger*
Just like in the previous books, this also has a fantasy element to it but it's not monsters - it has to do with Rosa herself - through some questionable "medicine" she's become an immortal then trained to be an assassin for the Nationalist Party. She has no real care for herself because she believes she doesn't deserve it. Rosa is very jaded determined not to care for anyone beyond her sister Celia. But, with the help of her partner she learns to stop doing that. Her journey that begins in this book is really enjoyable to read.
We also get introduced to her love interest and partner - the spy, Orion Hong. I LOVE HIM. Orion is the sunshine to Rosa's grump. He's so cute and earnest. Not that he doesn't have his own issues because he does regarding the absence of both his parents and the very difficult relationship with his older brother Oliver. He still maintains his wonderful personality. Alongside his anxious best friend Silas and feisty little sister Phoebe; Orion is one the best characters of the Secret Shanghai series.
Alisa and Celia/Kathleen also come back and they've grown into their own becoming spies themselves. I liked Alisa in the previous books but really come to love her in this book.
I also want to mention the representation in this book in my humble opinion was done beautifully and without clunky insertion into the story. There was Bisexual, Trans, Gay and Demi rep. It was done so well - the trans rep in particular was a surprised to me but I loved the way it was done - while it was an important part of the character she didn't make it the only thing about that character.
Now, onto the 3 crazy reveals in the third act of the book. I was blown away. Maybe other people reading this book figured it out but I sure as hell had no idea. I was flabbergasted in the best way. It's got me so excited to read the next book.
Also, a little something I've noticed after reading two of Chloe Gong's books, is that the first half of the book is okay for me but then the last starts and it just goes wild. She's got me hook line and sinker LOL.
p.s fuck Lady and General Hong *middlefingermiddlefinger*