A thrilling, page-turning sequel—I could spend hundreds of pages more with these characters and in this world. Couldn't put it down!

I just absolutely adore this world that Chloe Gong has created. The characters are so fleshed out and dynamic and Gong has an unbelievable talent for writing angst and yearning. It’s so palpable that it breaks your heart.

I always debate whether to reread a book before reading its sequel because my memory is terrible but the book does a really good job at weaving in reminders of what was most important from the first book. It doesn’t feel info dumpy or blatant at all.

There’s not much to say about the plot that isn’t a spoiler for either book but just that I thought it was incredibly well plotted and wrapped up in a brilliant way. The epilogue was a bit too sickly sweet for me but I still cried.

One of the best books of 2023! Thankful for the advanced copy. The plot, characters, and world that Chloe Gong has created never disappoints.

Rosalind was an expert spy, but now she is hiding from the media because her cover has been blown. Her partner and fake husband has been taken and all knowledge of Rosalind has been erased from his memory. She needs to get away to rescue him, but now that everyone recognizes her, she must use a new deception. Rosalind stages a national tour, but not even that goes as planned. Who can Rosalind trust? What secrets from her past will be uncovered?

Foul Heart Huntsman is the second book in the Foul Lady Fortune duology. Events from this book transpire soon after the first book's ending and readers will be completely lost if they skip the first volume. This book has history, adventure, and family drama all rolled into a captivating read. Gong has once again written about this little-known period of world history and made it relatable to all readers. A strong conclusion to a good duology.

FOAMING AT THE MOUTH. ORION AND ROSALIND!!! AHHHHH. CELIA AND OLIVER. PHOEBE AND SILAS. AHHHHHH CHLOE GONG HAS DONE IT AGAIN.

Chloe Gong has struck gold again with another Shakespearean inspired retelling. Though I was not as familiar with As You Like It as I am with Romeo and Juliet, I found this sequel fun and engaging while continuing with the same 1930’s Shanghai setting. Once I reacquainted myself with the storyline of As You Like It, it dawned on me how far in advance the author must have both of her duologies planned out (given that she introduced the characters of Rosalind and Celia in TVD).

**Spoiler alert below!**
Overall, this second book in the Foul Lady Fortune series did not disappoint. Fast paced, suspenseful, all while interweaving historical aspects of 1930’s China, this book is a fun conclusion. Knowing how the play turns out gave me some comfort in knowing none of the characters would be killed off. That being said, it was also fun to have Juliette and Roma return for a cameo after their “death” in Our Violent Ends.

Overall, 4/5 stars.

While Foul Lady Fortune felt quite slow to read for most of it, the ending full of twists was very exciting and I was invested in the characters enough to want to read this final book in the Shanghai universe created by the author. And ultimately I feel this was an interesting note to end on. The politics were even more convoluted but I loved it as always, the characters were put through a wringer, and the romantic arcs got the resolution I was satisfied with.

I received an ARC of Foul Heart Huntsman from Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Foul Heart Huntsman was one of my more anticipated reads of the year. Although the first book left some things to be desired, I was still excited to read this. Unfortunately, I was entirely underwhelmed.

I came for Rosalind and Orion. They were my favorite characters (I mean, hopefully, they should be as they were the main characters) of the previous book, and all I wanted was to know how their story would end. I spent more time in everyone else's perspective than in Rosalind and Orion combined. I think we're only with Orion, at most, five times. This book is over 550 pages long. I got maybe twenty with Orion. Maybe. That might be stretching it. Please tell me why the side characters got so much attention when this wasn't even a book about them. That was harsh, but if I'm being honest, I didn't care much about the other characters. There were so many points of view, so many characters, that I was lost in the sauce. Perspectives swapped every chapter, and often mid-chapter as well. Rosalind and Orion took a backseat to their own story, which was so disappointing.

Let me also not forget to mention the war happening in the background, though perhaps saying "the background" is also stretching it. We have the communists, the nationalists, the Japanese, a bunch of other factions (I think. I lost track.) fighting over ... what? Land? Control? Who cares? While it featured prominently in the first book that all of this stuff was happening, it didn't take over the plot. Yes, it was there and confusing, but the story was about Rosalind and Orion and their mission. On top of that, their mission and entire jobs were doing something for the war. They were helping. Or hindering, depending on which side of the war you look at. But all of the war in this book? HUGE. It took over the plot and made all the characters pawns in a game where whatever they did didn't matter. At all. In the first book, they affected change. In Foul Heart Huntsman, nothing they did affected anything. So, what was the point? Why have these characters play such a huge role in the beginning, only to regulate them to the sidelines? Specifically, Rosalind and Orion. I am so salty about that.

On the topic of Orion, I won't say much because of spoilers, but I thought that his being captured and brainwashed and everything would be a large part of the plot. Perhaps this is a spoiler, but I will tell you now, if you were also expecting that, lower your expectations. That's all I will say.

On top of my disappointment from the lack of Rosalind and Orion, the story dragged. I was bored. Half of the information I got felt like it had nothing to do with what was happening. I didn't understand why we needed that information, as it did not further the plot. This book had so much content, and I only cared about maybe half of it. I'll be honest. I heavily skimmed nearly the entire book. I wanted so badly to know how Rosalind would save Orion, what would happen once she did, and how it would affect the war. I got bits and pieces because I barely saw them. I refused to skip right to the end to find out, which is why I finished the book, but if I hadn't cared that much, I would have put Foul Heart Huntsman down. This was not the book for me.

This isn’t a proper review, I just want to vent somewhere. Plus this is the last book of Secret Shanghai series, I'm sure only a few people will read this. So.

My mind the majority of the time reading FHH: THIS IS SO SICK AND FUCKING TWISTEDDD. SICK AND TWISTED 🙂🙂🙂

Most of the problems came from a badly dysfunctional family bc one of the family member was an evil scientist🙂

Tbh I read on only for the characters, not the politics. Couldn’t care less about the latter. But oh boy DID THE CHARACTER DYNAMICS MAKE ME DIZZY

It’s a roller coaster ride of emotions. There’s funny and heartwarming scenes, angsty scenes, romantic scenes, everything.

I felt like the book could be shorter but thats bc I didn’t enjoy the heavy politics 🙃

Favorite part probably when they’re all in Zhouzhuang but I’m not gonna elaborate bc spoilers, obviously

The romance? They didn’t hold back anymore. Thank God. It’s quite satisfying.

The ending was nice, no stressful cliffhanger anymore bc it’s the last book in the series. But the twists (plural!!!!!) throughout the book were insane. What an experience☺️

As always, I enjoyed Chloe Gong's characters. The story was fastpaced and entertaining! Plus, the history of Shanghai is always interesting when it is wound in so intricately to the book. Definitely recommend reading this sequal!

After Orion is turned into a mindless soldier, courtesy of his mother, Rosalind is an utter mess. She will do anything to get Orion back. Unfortunately, her identity as Lady Fortune has been exposed and the world knows Rosalind Lang, former scarlet gang member, is alive. In order to get Orion back and draw him out, Rosalind proposes a Lady Fortune national tour.

I have very mixed feelings about this book. The politics are very confusing and the beginning 25% was so so slow. It dragged and dragged.

Once the action picked up I was hooked, but unfortunately a lot of this book felt predictable. The character relationships are what saved this book for me.

Foul Hearts Huntsman - Review, Quotes, and MORE BOOK RECS? (BOOK TOUR)

I don’t think I’ve read such a satisfying sequel in a while. This book gave all that I had hoped for and more. It scaled up all the emotions, tension, stakes, angst and intrigue of the first book.

Through Colored Page Book Tours, I had the amazing opportunity to read this book.

My Review

It felt so good to be back with all these characters that I love so much. I was instantly attached to Rosalind and Orion, and then Silas because I love his nerdy, obsessive and genius personality. I was mildly interested by Celia and Oliver in relation to their siblings and the plot, but it was only in this second book that I really got to know them. They got more page time.

One thing I would like put out there without any caveats is that Foul Hearts Huntsman delivered in spades all the romantic and cute and intense moments, all the wholesome and hilarious moments of camaraderie that healed my heart.

WRITING
Another interesting addition were third-person Interludes from the perspective of Shanghai the city, on the brink of Japanese invasion- a city that is desperate and furious and itching for blood.

Written in sharp, elegant prose, it gives you a glimpse and almost humanises the city, tying yet another of our heart strings to the story.

"They had chosen to push Shanghai, so Shanghai pushes back."

CHARACTERS
There is incredible character development, especially in the case of Phoebe. It’s no ordinary feat how Chloe Gong managed to juggle so many characters, so many perspectives and how all of them were scattered in different location doing different things. I mean, it’s not uncommon for vast adult fantasy books, but for Chloe Gong managed to make it accessible for a younger audience, and not feel disconnected with any of the plotlines happening.

Rosalind- One of the elements that I loved the most, and something that I foresee being underrated, is the emphasis on Rosalind’s mental health. With so much action, scheming and betrayals set in place, I wasn’t expecting so much time to be given to exploring the toll that the loss of her husband, as well as her handler- both of whom she trusted immensely, and the sudden notoriety that she’s been thrust into- has taken on Rosalind. Her vulnerability, her confusion, her loss of purpose and her rage- knowing all of that has given such a complex layer to her character. Love that.

"Patience lived paper-thin insider her these days, always one wrong folds from scrunching to something unsightly. Her anger it he's to turn ugly, begged to be released at the slightest provocation."

"Here was something else Rosalind Lang has forgotten: she was a born performer. Before she was an agent, she had been a dancer. Before she had been an assassin, the stage had been hers."

The only, ONLY fib that I may have with this book is that I had hoped for so many more warm moments between Oliver and Orion. I’m a sucker for sibling reconciliation (I’m a first born, sue me), so even though we did get some good moments, we didn’t go as deep as I wanted. The ending left us with the hope that the relationship between the brothers is healing, but I just wish we could’ve seen more of it.

We don't get much insight into Oliver's psyche, which I was looking forward to.

Lady Hong is a fascinating antagonist.
A mad scientist with a twisted heart. She has no moral compass, and even her love for her children is wrought with poison, crippled and blinded by her ambition. She’s a very dangerous woman on the power of her intellect alone. And the complexity she brings to the story- she was a villain forged by the suffocating Chinese society that refused to acknowledge the power of her mind, the world that asked her to stifle herself and underestimated her. So she decides to shed all loyalty and attachments and brings squabbling governments and imperialist forces to her beck and call with the sheer miracle she created in a small vial.

There was so much to this this story that went beyond just a fun, adventurous action + romance story.


PACING
The pacing is great. There are tumultuous, high stakes scenes when all that the characters can do is take a gun, shoot and run. Then there are stretches where they need to hide in dark corners or sit around a table and plan.

Every flip of the page is highly entertaining and engaging. I, in full transparency, didn’t much effort into predicting the plot, but to me all the revelations and turns that the plot took were a complete surprise.


Only then Alisa could feel at home in her own city. To disappear as well as to partake in her surroundings, to understand it's rhythm and reasons and instead of hiding and hoping she wasn't seen as an ill-fitting intrusion. It was moving from township to township while a whole unit of Nationalists was after her...

QUOTES

1. “You are bound to me in matrimony. If you break it and descend into another plane of existence, I will chase after you and snatch you back.”


2. “Of course I was committed to her beyond what was acceptable for the mission. I was so fascinated because I could see the parts of you in her. I've loved you this whole time, just split in two.”


3. “I would have found you anywhere.” He reached forward. Tugged that piece of her hair, then tucked the curl behind her ear. “Across the world and under it. No matter how well you hide. It doesn’t matter where you go. I’ll always find you. Understand?”

BOOK RECS if you loved this book :

1. Stardust Thief

2. Engines of Empire

3. Only a Monster

4. Vicious/ This Savage Song

5. Allow of Law - a type of gunpowder fantasy

6. Six of Crows

7. Foundryside

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.


Website | Instagram | Goodreads

I was so excited to get this ARC for “Foul Heart Huntsman” from the incredible Chloe Gong. I highly recommend this book - I was such a fan!

Once again Oliver and Celia were my favorite part. Their dynamic was just the best.

It was an enjoyable read but I still felt detached from the main characters. The factions and the way Gong went about them left me confused. It felt like she didn't want any of her characters to truly have a political stance. Instead they all claimed to be in it to protect their family.

Thanks netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

This book👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I finally finished the final book in the Secret Shanghai Universe and this was better than I could have ever imagined! Thank you NetGalley & Simon & Schuster for this ARC!

I also have to note that I preordered the B&N edition for the bonus epilogue and you 100% need to get that edition for that alone! It was a perfect ending that I’ll touch on next.

After the INSANE ending of Foul Last Fortune, I was left with my jaw on the floor and my mind whirling on how Rosalind would be able to get Orion back after being taken captive by his mother. Not only did Chloe bring me a story full of action, mystery, and tender moments, she wrapped it all up so beautifully. Like, I could not ask for a better book series ending!!

Let’s circle back to what you need to read prior to this final installation in order to get the full grasp of the monumental book that Foul Heart Huntsman truly is. If you read this book directly after FLF, you will be scratching your head. You absolutely need to read the novella Last Violent Call where you will get 2 side stories that reveal to us the Juliette and Roma are ALIVE!!!!!!!! As well as bring back our beloved Benedikt & Marshall who sprinkle in a little more background for FHH. You should also read her short novella The Priest and The Shepard. Here we learn background in Sills & Phoebe who are another important side character duo that lend a lot to FHH.

Okay, back to FHH.

THIS BOOK!! Unstoppable action, siblings on opposite sides fighting for their lives and their nation. Everything comes to a hault when Lady Hong captures Orion and tries to recreate her super solider serum that will be used by the Japanese in the fight to invade China.

Rosalind is determined to get Orion back and after her identity has been leaked and her face plastered all over China, she is nearly let go from her post with the Nationalist. Taking matters into her own hands, she goes on tour around China to bring out Lady Hong in an attempt to retrieve Orion from her grasp. Their love you guys, I cannot. It was so pure and so beautiful. They both found their other half and it just was so so good😭😭😭


Behind the scenes, Oliver and Celia risking it all to help their siblings. These two have my heart. Just the pure devotion and trust in one another. The Lang girls + Hong boys = perfect love matches😭😭😭

Alissa is literally the best character in this book. She just is everywhere, knows everything, still on her sneaking around bullshit. I just adored her and loved how well she figured things out to help everyone out.

Silas and Phoebe. Just adorable. Between the little fights and eventually the trusting of one another. Ugh it was rocky there for a bit. I truly thought we were going to have to reconsider loving Silas but thank fuck it didn’t go down that road. Phoebe grew so much this story and she finally got the closure she needed to move past her mother’s betrayal and take ownership of what she truly wants in life. Just a splendid ending to her journey.

I don’t want to spoil the story so I’m going to leave it at this. But I just went to Toronto for see Chloe Gong in the flesh and listen to her talk about FHH and it was just magical. This series has had such a big impact on my life and I’m so sad that it’s ended. But your girl got her signed copy of FHH & I will treasure it forever 😭😭😭

Pub date: 9/26/23
Genre: historical fantasy, YA
Series: Foul Lady Fortune, book 2
Do I need to read book 1 first? YES. You will be lost if you don't. Honestly you should probably also read THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS, but I read out of order, so I won't judge.
Quick summary: It's 1932 in Shanghai, and Rosalind and Orion are in trouble. (This is about as much as I can write without spoilers).

Wow, there was SO MUCH going on in this book. I liked how it built on Rosalind's immortality from book 1 and introduced more dangerous potions to give the Nationalists and the Communists something to team up against. Book 1 was more Rosalind and Orion-focused, so I enjoyed seeing more from Phoebe, Alisa, Silas, and Oliver in book 2 to build out this world. I loved the twists that called back to THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS, and the ending was fitting but surprising.

If you're a newbie fantasy reader like me, this is a fun series to try because it's grounded in reality, but the world is just a bit more magical. The books are a little on the longer side, but there's always a good payoff at the end.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and Margaret K. McElderry Books for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Foul Heart Huntsman is an action packed and satisfying conclusion to this second duology for Gong. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of her books and this one may be my favorite. I have grown so found of this entire band of characters. The romance is stunning. The family dynamics are heart warming and heartbreaking at times. The plot is filled with twists I didn't see coming (and the ones I do see coming have more to them than I thought!). Rarely is there a book that does action scenes with multiple characters involved in hairbreadth escapes with the depth of character development found in this series.

With all that said, while I do enjoy the fantasy elements Gong adds to the story (super-soldier potions and immortality serums that mirror all too true eugenics projects of the time), what I have enjoyed about theses books the most is how much I have learned about this period in history in China. Or rather, it has made me aware of how ignorant I am about what was going on in China between WW1 and WW2 and spur me to seek to close that gap. In a world of complicated spying and intrigue, one aspect that becomes clear is there is no "good" side in this war for China. I loved the resolution and the reunions with some of the characters from the first duology, were perfectly done. This is a wonderful series. So glad to have read it and I highly recommend!

"Foul Heart Huntsman" by Chloe Gong is an exhilarating historical fantasy novel set against the backdrop of 1932 Shanghai. This gripping tale takes us on a journey through a Shanghai brimming with tension as the threat of a Japanese invasion looms ever closer.

Our fearless protagonist, Rosalind Lang, finds herself in a perilous situation after her identity as a national spy is exposed. Chloe Gong does a brilliant job of portraying Rosalind's resilience and determination as she navigates a world where danger lurks at every corner. Despite the media storm outside her apartment, Rosalind's only focus is on rescuing her husband, Orion, whose memories of her have been wiped clean. Their marriage may have been a facade, but the depth of her emotions for him is palpable, making her quest to reunite with him all the more poignant.

As the story unfolds, Rosalind's only option for escape and rescue lies in embarking on a national tour. Her ability to bring pride and strength to the people is a key element in convincing her superiors to allow her to undertake this mission. However, when the tour takes an unexpected turn, the narrative takes a thrilling twist. The author expertly introduces unexpected alliances and unearths long-hidden secrets, making the plot even more enthralling.

"Foul Heart Huntsman" is not just a tale of espionage and intrigue; it also delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and the importance of nationhood. Chloe Gong skillfully weaves these elements into the narrative, creating a story that is not only action-packed but also emotionally resonant.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the vivid and evocative portrayal of 1932 Shanghai. The city comes alive through the author's descriptive prose, immersing readers in its rich and complex history. The historical and cultural details are meticulously researched, adding depth and authenticity to the story.

In the race against time to save Orion and their nation from impending foreign invasion, Rosalind faces numerous challenges. The tension escalates as the clock ticks, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Chloe Gong's writing is fast-paced, and the action sequences are expertly choreographed, making the book difficult to put down.

Overall, "Foul Heart Huntsman" is a captivating blend of historical fiction and fantasy, filled with complex characters, heart-pounding action, and a richly detailed setting. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys thrilling adventures with a strong dose of romance and intrigue. Chloe Gong has once again proven her talent as a storyteller, and this book is a testament to her prowess in the genre.

Such a great conclusion to this duology! The story balanced all of the characters so we were able to get everyone’s full story. The plot was full of action but it did feel long in the middle. I think certain parts could have been edited down to be more impactful. I enjoyed the twists and turns and how multiple story lines came together in the end. Overall, a satisfying conclusion!

ADORED this book and devoured it, as I do with all of Chloe Gongs books. The twist was AMAZING and seeing all of the characters grow and find their happy ever after alongside all the intense action held my attention from start to finish!