I’m obsessed with this series and this whole universe. I can’t get enough of this world and the characters fighting their way through it. Found family and epic vibes, Chloe Gong is a master of her craft.

This was an enjoyable read and it worked so well as a sequel. Loving the covers for the series as well

Great addition to this series! I can’t wait until the next one comes out and has just as much suspense, love, and a little bit of magic. ;)

Something keeps me coming back to the Secret Shanghai series though I’ve had qualms with each of them! I think it’s because despite issues with execution, I’m always eager to see how Chloe Gong manages to cleverly weave in the original Shakespearean play as a frame for this world she has created. I feel like there’s a really strong vision for the 1920’s setting and time period merged with fantasy elements and that concept continues to reel me in.

I actually think that Foul Lady Fortune was perhaps the strongest so far among the books in the series: Rosalind and Orion have a really solid romantic dynamic complete with memorable banter; As You Like It is not nearly as well-known as Romeo and Juliet, so I felt like that source material was fertile ground for Gong’s creativity to play with.

That being said, this follow-up (and the last in the series) Foul Heart Huntsman is ultimately held back by the same flaws of its predecessors: there is just so much going on all the time that really bogs down the flow of the narrative, as well as a hugely-sprawling cast of characters. When you don’t care for all of the characters, it can be easy to feel like you’re waiting a long time to see the ones you are interested in to reappear. (For example, though it definitely is a result of the plot that won’t be spoiled here, it felt like Rosalind and Orion were barely present). There’s a lot going on in terms of the world building and historic detail that I feel could have been explained more clearly, but this is has been the case since These Violent Delights.

Again, I do love the setting and premise of these novels; I even find the characters fun and compelling! I just wish the execution was stronger.

A solid conclusion that at times got lost with too many characters and all their complex romances. It felt like the couples were fighting for page time and attention from the reader.

This was such a great sequel! I really enjoyed Rosalind and Orion's interactions in this book and their romance! The action was fast paced and I enjoyed where the story went.

Even better than the first in the series! Gong hits a perfect balance between suspense and action--there was never any point in the book that dragged or rushed, and the payoff for the twists and turns always resonated with me. I'm definitely adding this one to my classroom library!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

A great sequel that I really enjoyed! I’ve already purchased two copies for my school’s library and recommended it to several readers.

After Orion has been taken and her cover blown, Rosalind finds herself cooped up in her apartment, plotting ways to get him -- and his memories of their time together -- back. Meanwhile, unrest continues to grow as the threat of a Japanese invasion looms ever closer.

I enjoyed the first book of this duology a lot, but this one fell flat for me. Gong is dead-set on making setting a character in her novels and the narrative gets bogged down as a result. There are too many characters, some of the dialogue is written to appeal to a very online generation, and the stakes of the novel don't feel fully explored. The romance is fun and compelling, but at the cost of the plot.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback

Gong's writing is unmatched. The sequel to Foul Lady Fortune is just as good as the first, with twists and turns and incredible action. I love these characters.

Miss Chloe Gong strikes again. I have not read a Chloe Gong book where I've been disappointed. I loved being back in the universe and seeing all my favourite characters again.

I love a Shakespeare retelling (whether it's in book or film form) and Miss Chloe Gong NEVER disappoints me!!!

This was the absolute perfect way to end her Shanghai series. I love that I learn things from Gong's books (she bases them on Chinese history but takes liberties to move the story where she wants it to go). I also love that she shocks me with the twists and turns. The double and triple crossing had me aghast! Her spy stories are so enthralling and have the perfect amount of sci-fi elements to keep things interesting.

I'm sorry to be leaving these characters behind, but am comforted that I can always revisit them. <3

No notes. Perfection.

Orion is so precious and I would do anything for him.

This was amazing and better than the first book! The stakes are high, the characters are great, the romances are incredible.

Rosalind has come so far and I loved her relationship with Orion. Celia and Oliver are also so wonderful and their development has been so touching. Phoebe and Silas took me by surprise but I really liked their dynamic as well. Chloe had me GASPING with Silas’s character even though she literally told us that he was a triple agent Roma and Juliette were adorable, even if I do have my gripes about them being alive. ALISA!! Possibly the best character, I love her.

I think I do benefit for knowing As You Like It, because everything literally works out perfectly, and this is a retelling… that also works out perfectly, as expected, but I understand if people think the ending is too neat.

The ending to the Foul Lady Fortune spinoff of Chloe Gong’s These Violent Delights duology, this brings familiar characters back to a fast-paced story in 1930s Shanghai as the identity of assassin Lady Fortune is exposed, while new villains and old ghosts come into play. Meanwhile Rosalind is also fighting to rescue Orion as the entire nation is at risk of falling.
I loved the Romeo-Juliet themes of These Violent Delights, but the Foul Lady series never really clicked with me as a reader, unfortunately, and I felt while exciting that some old favorites returned, there were just too many perspectives to keep the story straight. I do however love the mythical/fantasy take on historical fiction. Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books for the ARC.

10 stars. Chloe excels when she works out of a setting that already exists (Shanghai) and commits to the genre (Shakespearean comedy). The tonal shift from Our Violent Delights to this is a little jarring, but the characters were so fun that I didn't care by the end. While I didn't love Immortal Longings, I'm excited to see what she does beyond Secret Shanghai and Flesh and False Gods.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

“I will love you if I please. I will make you my altar, I’ll put you above everything else in this world, I’ll revel in every morsel you are made of.”

Foul Heartsman was everything I needed it to be and more. Chloe continues to amaze me. The writing? The romances? The found family? The characters? The plot? Outstanding. My only complaint is that my time in this world has come to a close.

If you're looking for a world that totally and completely sucks you in; writing that breaks your heart and pieces in back together, and characters you'd die for, you absolutely need to pick up Secret Shanghai. Note: It is so important that you read These Violent Delights/Our Violent Ends prior to picking up this duology.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Simon Teen & McElderry Books for the ARC of one of my most anticipated reads of 2023!

As you all may know, I am a Chloe Gong stan through & through. The Secrets of Shanghai series has been such a fun ride for the last 5 years and this ending was absolutely perfect.

In the series finale, Rosalind sets off to get her man Orion back. And while this read like a Steve Rogers x Bucky Barnes fanfic, it was the perfect backdrop (cue "I am your wife!"). We also get the Phoebe's journey of hiding her secret identity as Priest from Silas as well as Celia & Oliver tension (!!). Not to mention appearances from Roma and Juliette and Benedikt and Marshall. Although it felt like this book dragged, I'm glad that we got all the closure that the characters deserve.

All's well that ends well, considering Chloe considers this to be her take on the Shakesperean comedy As You Like It.