Everything that Chloe Gong writes is exceptional. Foul Lady Fortune has exceeded expectations- Rosalind Lang is a fierce character that has been written so well. The plot is so well put together you can’t help but feel immersed in the storyline, impatiently waiting for the second book in the duology now

After loving These Violent Delights duology with all my heart, I was hesitant about this book. But I shouldn't have worried. Once again Chloe delivers an incredible, complex story with a fantastic set of characters and plot twists around every corner. To be honest, I wasn't sure I was going to love Rosalind after the events of Our Violent Ends, but this book totally changed my mind. You can see how she blames herself for what happened and wants to make amends.

“More than anything in the world, Rosalind Lang wanted redemption, and if this was how she got it, then so be it.”

So, chapter after chapter I came to understand her and grew fond of her. Besides, her slow-burn relationship with Orion was so beautifully developed that I loved them from the beginning. Trust me, these two are going to give you lots of feels.

“Your life is mine as mine is yours.”

I also loved the other characters, their personality and interactions. But I don't want to spoil too much. Last but not least, the historical background and the whole plot were masterfully developed, with intrigues and twists that will leave you open-mouthed. Not to mention the ending. I just need the sequel now.

So yes, Foul Lady Fortune meets every expectations and confirms how talented Chloe is.

This really wasn't my thing and I hate that. After a couple of chapters in, I had completely lost the storyline, and I had no clue what was happening. There were simply too many characters for me, and not nearly enough information. This kept happening until the end of the book, which made me dread it a little to pick up.

An absolutely wild, gorgeous rush of adrenalin. It took me a little while to get into this one, and to unravel the various factions (although this is the start of a new duology, you definitely need to read Gong’s other book first and preferably have it all clear in your mind!) Once I was in though I was utterly hooked.

I absolutely loved Rosalind’s character, and the romantic tension between her and Orion was spectacular. In fact, all of the characters in this book are fantastically drawn and I ended up having so much affection for them. The plotting was pacy and there were so many twists and turns it left me breathless - the action sequences felt cinematic, the whole book reads incredibly visually, and that’s a testament to Gong’s richly imagined, luxurious world building. I just loved it and now I am quite stressed out that I have to wait for the next book!

I cannot help but love anything that Chloe Gong writes, she hooks you in and makes you want to keep reading. Foul Lady Fortune is no different, I don't want to spoil anything but WOW. Rosalind Lang IS BACK. It is fantastic to get to see what happened next to her. I cannot express how much I enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the second in the duology!

Thank you for the ARC!

This book was just wow. I am absolutely speechless and I just know that I would be thinking about this book for a long long time.

In the beginning of the book, I was a little bit slow on trying to grasp the plot and I did get confused from time to time. I am not sure if the fact that I haven’t read the these violent delights duology affected that, but once I did undesirable everything I could not stop reading. I just had to know what happens next.

The characters were easy to love and I got attached to them immediately. I cannot pick a favorite character because all of them had their own unique charms that really made my reading experience.The found family trope is my weakness, and I adored the relationship of the characters to one another. I do hope in the next book we get more of Oliver and Celia with them.

Now, let’s talk about the romance in this book. This book definitely delivered on romance. There were three different love stories followed and all of them were equally interesting. First is Celia and Oliver, they were lovely together. We did not really see much of them in this book, but every moment they did had me smiling like a maniac. Next is Phoebe and Silas, I ADORE THEM! They’re dynamics are the best. I do have a soft spot for Silas, he’s been inlove with her ever since and would do anything for her. He’s also very awkward and I think it’s so cute. And last but definitely not the least, ROSALIND AND ORION. Chloe Gong put all the best tropes and expected me to be okay? FAKE MARRIAGE TROPE? check! REVERSE GRUMPY SUNSHINE? check! WHO DID THIS TO YOU? check! DO NOT TOUCH MY WIFE? check! They gave me so much butterflies and made me giggle like a schoolgirl with all their scenes.

And now let’s move on to the plot of the book. I was trying to solve the mystery with them as I go and I definitely did not expect that. I found the mystery of who is killer and why they were doing it so captivating. Towards the end of the book it was just plot twist after plot twist and none of them I saw coming.

“Foul Lady Fortune” has everything I want in a boom and more. It had the perfect amount of action, mystery and romance that had me excited for every next page. I will not be able to move on from this book for a while and I can’t wait for the next book already.

Always keeping the readers shocked until the end, eh?

Foul Lady Fortune is the first of a new duology set four years after the end of the TVD duology. This time, we follow the prickly, untrusting Rosalind Lang, aka Janie Mead/Fortune, who is now an assassin and has to work with Orion Hong, a spy, on a mission to uncover who's behind the chemical killings across Shanghai while the Japanese are on the horizon, eager to invade China.

I admit that when I heard that Rosalind was leading the series, I was hesitant. I was incredibly eager to return to this world, but, having just stepped off the OVE train and was still screaming from its epilogue, I was left not feeling pleased with Rosalind. However, curiosity was gnawing at me, and I took a chance. I'm happy to report that I'm now a Rosalind fan. The girl is an assassin trying to piece together the broken vase pieces of Shanghai to make up for her past, for she believes she is the cause of the death blow strike that made the city shatter.

Now, devilishly charming characters have a spot in my heart, and Orion very proudly took command of my attention. But as always, all that suaveness hides the pain characters like him hide under their masks. In his case, it's his strained relationship with his older brother and his father that causes him grief.

I love the development of their relationship, how it all began with fake marriage, and how in the process, they help each other take care of past wounds. Of course, there was tons of bickering and bantering and teasing (which I'm a sucker for) which led to a soft glance here and a heartfelt comment there which THEN led to feelings of "wait WHEN DID I FALL FOR XX?"

As usual, great attention was paid to the details of 1930s Shanghai: the multiculturalism that breathes with its citizens and visitors, the imperialist atmosphere that makes some pull at their collar and others puff up with pride and weigh down the shoulders of others, the constant battle of wit and timing between political factions for power and control. Just like the TVD duology, real-life events were carefully integrated into the story, enhancing the themes/topics that the TVD world focuses on but never fully taking one's attention away from the characters or the main plot of the story. And once again, just like the previous duology, the rising action/climax of the book made my heart race. Just... well done!

Quick-fire notes:
- GODDAMN ALL THOSE OBITUARIES!! STOP MAKING ME *WANT* TO CRY.
- I enjoy following the cast of FLF but... I'm currently the most interested in Celia, Oliver and Alisa. Celia and Oliver certainly have an interesting relationship. I'm quite curious to see where it goes, considering each of their reservations and goals. Will their commitment to their beliefs get in the way of their feelings developing beyond friendship? As for Alisa, I'm sure her role will only get bigger. Phoebe and Silas on the other hand are cute as hell.
-I'M VERY HAPPY FOR BENEDIKT AND MARSHALL! (They were only mentioned once lol).

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for providing me with the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Omg Chloe Gong never disappoints, this book might be one of my favorites of 2022. The plot is amazing, all the new characters are so much fun, I'm so excited for book 2!!

I read this book through my pain and tears, and high anxiety— because yes it was a spy mission. I just finished FOUL LADY FORTUNE about 2 minutes ago, so I will not write an in-depth review as of now. What I will say is Chloe Gong creates an intricate atmosphere of 1930's Shanghai, where she explores a multitude of perspectives and uprisings. The reader is introduced to new characters, but I was glad to see some familiar faces too. The plot twists? They were mind blowing— I never expected them, and I'm usually good at predicting the plot. Rosalind Lang has had the best redemption ARC, and her romance with Orion was spectacular. I will not know peace until I read book 2, thank you for destroying me again miss Chloe. :')

Thank you so much to the publisher for an ARC!

The spin-off series to Gong’s highly successful debut duology, ‘Foul Lady Fortune’ takes place 5 years following the conclusion of ‘Our Violent Ends’. Gang rule has gone - Shanghai is now engaged in Civil War, this is a far different city to the one Juliette and Roma once ruled.

Rosalind is a nationalist Spy operating under the code name ‘Fortune’. It is a name synonymous with fear in every corner of the city - a ruthless, flawless assassin; trained by the best to every inch of perfection but, most importantly, an immortal. She cannot be killed, she does not age. Her role differs when she enters into a marriage under false pretences with Orion - a charismatic batchelor whose last name a carries a reputation - in order to solve a series of killings that are ravaging the city.

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This was utterly phenomenal. It did take a little while to get going, but I was hooked the entire time - the mix of political tensions to evoke the historical narrative, alongside the inner monologue of Rosalind, a character baring both mental and physical scars as well as the developing love story ensured for a fascinating read.

I once described ‘These Violent Delights’ as a love-letter to Shanghai, and FLF is very much the same. The attention to detail to 1930s Shanghai is nothing short of a marvel to read, you can tell the love and care paid to ensuring this city is portrayed as accurately (obviously, sans the fantasy elements) as possible. I am someone of a Chinese heritage and, though I do not speak the language, reading lines about linguistic / cultural differences that only those native to the country would understand meant the world.

As the case with her previous writing, the best came with the rise in action. Both the end of the book itself and the epilogue made me gasp out loud, Chloe is a master of the subtly obvious plot twist - the layers are there, but you barely suspect until it is spelled out for you.

Publication date is 27 September 2022. If you fancy historical fiction / slow burn / fantasy that is set in a world that feels very real, you better run.

I will say - I do not think this works as a standalone. Not necessarily a criticism , but I do think you would struggle to read this had you not read TVD / OVE beforehand.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my unbiased review :) xo