ARC review, book review, young adult

Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong (ARC Review)

Title: Foul Lady Fortune
Author: Chloe Gong
Type: Fiction
Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Fantasy, Mystery
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Date published: September 27, 2022

A complimentary physical copy of this book was kindly provided by Simon & Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review.

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.

⤖ My Review ⬻

I was so excited to get the chance to read Chloe Gong’s latest novel, Foul Lady Fortune. Having already enjoyed the first two books in her previous duology, These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends, I was looking forward to returning to the setting and some of the characters introduced in the first books.

Gong’s books are set in 1920s and 1930s Shanghai, which made for an interesting setting. I liked learning about the place, time period, and history, which were all woven into the book (although I can’t confirm which parts were nonfiction and which were fiction).

The fantasy aspects of these books are very well done, which continues into Foul Lady Fortune, and I like how Gong weaves the fantasy throughout while also keeping a firm foot in reality. I wish I could elaborate on this, but can’t think of a way to explain it without spoiling anything. I also enjoyed getting to know some of the side characters from the first duology better. 

The plot was also very intriguing, and I especially enjoyed the marriage of convenience plotline. Gong did a great job of exploring the various dynamics between the characters and the different plotlines, which kept me engaged throughout the book. Overall, I really enjoyed Foul Lady Fortune and need the next book like yesterday!

⤖ About the Author ⬻

Chloe Gong is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Secret Shanghai novels, as well as the Flesh and False Gods trilogy. Her books have been published in over twenty countries and have been featured in The New York Times, People, Forbes, and more. 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 City, pretending to be a real adult.

⤖ Places to Purchase the Book ⬻

⤖ Let's Chat ⬻

Thank you for reading my review! Have you read this book? What did you think? And if you haven’t read it yet, do you plan to? Let me know in the comments!

Leave a Comment