Title: Foul Lady Fortune
Author: Chloe Gong
Genre: Historical/ YA Fantasy
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Pages: 528
Release Date: 27 September 2022
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Hello fellow book lovers, today I'm sharing my review for Chloe Gong’s Foul Lady Fortune--the first in a new spin-off Duology.
Set years after the events of These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends, Foul Lady Fortune masterfully weaves romance, political intrigue and block buster worthy action scenes that had me on the edge of my seat.
Synopsis
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends comes the first book in a captivating new duology following an ill-matched pair of spies posing as a married couple to investigate a series of brutal murders in 1930s Shanghai.
It’s 1931 in Shanghai, and the stage is set for a new decade of intrigue.
Four years ago, Rosalind Lang was brought back from the brink of death, but the strange experiment that saved her also stopped her from sleeping and aging—and allows her to heal from any wound. In short, Rosalind cannot die. Now, desperate for redemption from her traitorous past, she uses her abilities as an assassin for her country.
Code name: Fortune.
But when the Japanese Imperial Army begins its invasion march, Rosalind’s mission pivots. A series of murders is causing unrest in Shanghai, and the Japanese are under suspicion. Rosalind’s new orders are to infiltrate foreign society and identify the culprits behind the terror plot before more of her people are killed.
To reduce suspicion, however, she must pose as the wife of another Nationalist spy, Orion Hong, and though Rosalind finds Orion’s cavalier attitude and playboy demeanor infuriating, she is willing to work with him for the greater good. But Orion has an agenda of his own, and Rosalind has secrets that she wants to keep buried. As they both attempt to unravel the conspiracy, the two spies soon find that there are deeper and more horrifying layers to this mystery than they ever imagined.
Review
I really enjoyed this! There were plenty of familiar (and new) characters and though this is the start of a new duology, I do think you’d get the most enjoyment from reading Chloe Gong’s previous duology (These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends), especially as Foul Lady Fortune does reference some of the events from that series, so if you don’t want spoilers definitely check those out first.
I absolutely loved returning to Gong’s Shanghai and exploring the evocative, intricately crafted and action packed plot that merges historical events with an intriguing noir style mystery (and supernatural elements) that explores the imperialism, nationalism and cultural generational trauma through the lense of soo many well developed,complex characters—all of whom had conflicting motives and allegiances. Chloe Gong is a master at crafting such endearing, believable characters that I genuinely couldn’t pick just one favourite.
I loved getting to see Rosalind again as her arc in Our Violent Delights did pint her as a bit of a villain but getting to see her thoughts and opinions, to understand how her part in the events came to be was incredibly eye-opening. Having very much disliked her previously, I found myself genuinely loving her as a protagonist.
This is a noir style spy novel so everyone keeps their cards close to their chests and, with several mysteries to unravel and allegiances to confirm you definitely find a lot of heart poundingly suspenseful moments. I loved how effortlessly we switch from Rosalind’s and Orion’s POV to Celia and Oliver’s (Rosalind and Orion’s Communist operative siblings) POV which really heightened the tangled emotional web of familial bonds, loyalty and the conflict of duty when it came to their political allegiances.
I also loved the similarities in both Rosalind and Orion’s in terms of upbringing. Both starved of affection from their parents, for Rosalind growing up in a family were hierarchy and position was everything and where she’s always on the outskirts—not important enough to curry favour nor beloved enough to garner any affection. Orion, likewise is trying to hold his family together after both his mum and brother left, with the desperate hope that they could someday go back to the picture perfect family they once were—but it’s only as they grow closer together that Rosalind and Orion realise that, in order to succeed with their mission they must let go of the past entirely and focus solely on the future.
I loved getting to see Celia (formerly Kathleen) again and I loved that she finally gets to use her true name. Her working partnership with Oliver Hong was amazing and the chemistry between the pair was utterly palpable, I loved every tense second of it! Likewise, Rosalind and Orion’s attraction and slow burn romance was equally amd tantalising and at times utterly hilarious, and I genuinely need both couples to find happiness at the end of all this, I don’t think my heart could survive if something happens to them.
I can’t say too much about the plot for fear of spoiling it but, with all the deliciously unexpected twists and turns Chloe Gong throws our way, I can in total honesty say I cannot wait to see where this intoxicating, YA fantasy reimagining of As You Like it takes us next.
If you’re a fan of high stakes espionage, endearingly complex (and morally grey) characters or exhilarating plot twists that will keep you on your toes, I highly recommend checking this out.
Also, a huge thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley of the e-arc.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
About The Author
Chloe Gong is the New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and its sequel Our Violent Ends. She is a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where she double-majored in English and International Relations. Born in Shanghai and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Chloe is now located in New York pretending to be a real adult.
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