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Secret Shanghai #4
Foul Heart Huntsman
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2023)Winter is drawing thick in 1932 Shanghai, as is the ever-nearing threat of a Japanese invasion.
Rosalind Lang has suffered the worst possible fate for a national spy: she’s been exposed. With the media storm camped outside her apartment for the infamous Lady Fortune, she’s barely left her bedroom in weeks, plotting her next course of action after Orion was taken and his memories of Rosalind wiped. Though their marriage might have been a sham, his absence hurts her more than any physical wound. She won’t rest until she gets him back.
But with her identity in the open, the task is near impossible. The only way to leave the city and rescue Orion is under the guise of a national tour. It’s easy to convince her superiors that the countryside needs unity more than ever, and who better than an immortal girl to stir pride and strength into the people?
When the tour goes wrong, however, everything Rosalind once knew is thrown up in the air. Taking refuge outside Shanghai, old ghosts come into the open and adversaries turn to allies. To save Orion, they must find a cure to his mother’s traitorous invention and take this dangerous chemical weapon away from impending foreign invasion—but the clock is ticking, and if Rosalind fails, it’s not only Orion she loses, but her nation itself.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends comes the second book in the captivating Foul Lady Fortune duology following an immortal assassin in 1930s Shanghai as she races to save her country and her love.
Rosalind Lang has suffered the worst possible fate for a national spy: she’s been exposed. With the media storm camped outside her apartment for the infamous Lady Fortune, she’s barely left her bedroom in weeks, plotting her next course of action after Orion was taken and his memories of Rosalind wiped. Though their marriage might have been a sham, his absence hurts her more than any physical wound. She won’t rest until she gets him back.
But with her identity in the open, the task is near impossible. The only way to leave the city and rescue Orion is under the guise of a national tour. It’s easy to convince her superiors that the countryside needs unity more than ever, and who better than an immortal girl to stir pride and strength into the people?
When the tour goes wrong, however, everything Rosalind once knew is thrown up in the air. Taking refuge outside Shanghai, old ghosts come into the open and adversaries turn to allies. To save Orion, they must find a cure to his mother’s traitorous invention and take this dangerous chemical weapon away from impending foreign invasion—but the clock is ticking, and if Rosalind fails, it’s not only Orion she loses, but her nation itself.
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends comes the second book in the captivating Foul Lady Fortune duology following an immortal assassin in 1930s Shanghai as she races to save her country and her love.
560 pages, Hardcover
First published September 26, 2023
About the author
Chloe Gong
17 books25.1k followersChloe 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, Cosmopolitan, and more. She was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30 for 2024. Chloe graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in English and International Relations. Born in Shanghai and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, she is now located in New York City, pretending to be a real adult.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,622 reviews
October 3, 2023
4.75⭐️ oml I loved this book! 😩♥️
because I couldn't tell you guys my favorite parts of this book if you gave me all the money in the world because they all have my heart 😩💗💗 ok but Alisia is the coolest person ever! When I saw Roma and Juliette, my heart couldn't take it anymore 😭😭🔫
Oliver and Celia were giving everything and I wanted to protect them from all the pain at all cost 🥺💞💞 Not Phoebe and Silas having the cutest little fights and I just wanted them to talk plainly to each other ugh 😭🥺
Orion and Rosalind...
ok bye 😭😭😭😭💞💞💞💞
***
am I once again putting my whole tbr on hold to read a copy I just received?... yes, yes I am 🤭🤭
because I couldn't tell you guys my favorite parts of this book if you gave me all the money in the world because they all have my heart 😩💗💗 ok but Alisia is the coolest person ever! When I saw Roma and Juliette, my heart couldn't take it anymore 😭😭🔫
Oliver and Celia were giving everything and I wanted to protect them from all the pain at all cost 🥺💞💞 Not Phoebe and Silas having the cutest little fights and I just wanted them to talk plainly to each other ugh 😭🥺
Orion and Rosalind...
“I’ll explain it like this,” she said quietly. “Attraction is a foreign language to me. And I could hear you speaking complete gibberish for much of the mission, which annoyed me tremendously when I was only trying to do my job.”...
“But…,” Rosalind went on. “Once in a while, I pick up a few phrases. If you speak it slowly enough, patiently enough. If it’s around my ear for long enough that I’m endeared to it, I start to understand what you are saying.”
The study turned quiet. Rosalind thought that Orion had gone to sleep. Then: “Rosalind?” “Mm-hmm?” A pause. He was thinking—or hesitating. “Even if the memories never come back,” he said slowly, “I’m going to love you again. I have decided to warn you in advance.”
ok bye 😭😭😭😭💞💞💞💞
***
am I once again putting my whole tbr on hold to read a copy I just received?... yes, yes I am 🤭🤭
April 3, 2024
this sequel is a seamless transition from the first book. its consistent in the way that it feels very much a part of the first installment and doesnt fall trap to the changes that sometimes happen during the writing period between two novels in a series. this is quite evidently the second half of a whole and i appreciate that.
for me, CG is a pretty stellar writer on a micro level. i think the way she structures sentences and describes details are top-notch. its just the not-as-strong macro level skills that are what tend to lose me personally. the plot overall is a bit cyclical and repetitive in nature, which makes this longer-than-average book feel like it drags at times.
i think if a reader has come to really love these characters, the drawn out nature of the story is a non-issue. while i do have reasons to enjoy all of the cast, they never really rooted themselves into my heart the way some characters in stories do.
but, as a concluding installment to a duology, this is pretty dang great and provides the necessary elements to create a satisfying ending.
↠ 3.5 stars
for me, CG is a pretty stellar writer on a micro level. i think the way she structures sentences and describes details are top-notch. its just the not-as-strong macro level skills that are what tend to lose me personally. the plot overall is a bit cyclical and repetitive in nature, which makes this longer-than-average book feel like it drags at times.
i think if a reader has come to really love these characters, the drawn out nature of the story is a non-issue. while i do have reasons to enjoy all of the cast, they never really rooted themselves into my heart the way some characters in stories do.
but, as a concluding installment to a duology, this is pretty dang great and provides the necessary elements to create a satisfying ending.
↠ 3.5 stars
December 7, 2024
this is the end of my secret shanghai era🧸🧣
March 9, 2024
my heart is so full, i love these characters so so so much ☹️
rtc!
(thank you ches for reading this with me, love you to pieces bff)
—
it's my last secret shanghai book and i'm not ready for this to end ! going through the pain with ml cheska <3
rtc!
(thank you ches for reading this with me, love you to pieces bff)
—
it's my last secret shanghai book and i'm not ready for this to end ! going through the pain with ml cheska <3
September 27, 2023
“The country might still have a fighting chance if I go […] but I am scared that you will not if I don't."
almost started crying again there… i can always trust chloe for the best angst. i’m a little sad this universe is coming to a close but you know what !! if it keeps going, my fav characters will be put through it again… (as chloe said when asked for more benmar: “benedikt is TIRED!” HAHA). overall, i really enjoyed fhh ♡
this is my most unorganized review bc i just have so many thoughts. let’s get into it :)) okay despite wanting orion's memory to return quickly, amnesia!orion was so sweet and endearing to read that i almost didn’t want to let it go so soon (plus the angst it gave, why would I wanna give it away)
the sweet and tender moments they had together like this, just had me:
i also did not expect silas and phoebe's relationship dynamic to hurt me so much. out of all of the characters, somehow my brain did not anticipate their character arcs. and it was SO GOOD.
i do have to say that while i get that our girl rosalind is in her depression era, the beginning of fhh was so so slow and it was over 130 pages before the action kicked in. but luckily from there it was go go GO !! our big cast of characters finally coming to work together this time was so fun to read, especially bringing back older characters iykyk.
i’m the type of reader who can’t move on to the next page until i’ve understood what i’ve read but the politics went over my head. it’s OVE all over again, unfortunately. i really did think i had a good grasp of it at the end of FLF but alas… i did not feel the sense of urgency and the direness of their situations like i did with OVE. which is so sad bc I really wanted to be on the edge of my seat !! bc japan invasion !! brainwashed love interest/soldier !! they way our cast of characters are split in so many different sides, not silas being a whole triple agent😭
there were also some aspects i wish were expanded upon more. i thought some parts were sped past which i didn’t like bc it made moments that i thought would be super important/dramatic, to be so anticlimactic (i have more details in the spoiler section)
okay despite what i’ve said above, i still had a lovely time reading because i love our characters so much. it’s rare for me to enjoy reading every character’s POV, especially with such a big cast, but they each hold a special place my heart (all for various reasons). yall should listen to "My Love Mine All Mine" while reading bc the melancholic vibes matched perfectly.
thank you S&S and netgalley for the arc! this review is entirely my honest opinion <3
OKAY SPOILERY BITS >:)
i had the BEST time reading all the roma and juliette scenes. THE PART WHERE JULIETTE SLAPPED ROMA'S MOUTH SHUT TO STOP HIM FROM CACKLING WHEN ORION ASKED IF HE'S MET MARSHALL BEFORE, AT A WHITE FLOWER CARABET LMAO BYE. RIGHT IN FRONT OF BENEDIKT TOO? it was too good.
okay the ending was absolutely insane. when orion had lost too much blood, rosalind offered her blood based on the logic that since celia’s blood type matches oliver’s (orion’s brother), her own blood would likely match orion’s since her blood type would probably be the same as her twin and MY QUEEN, IT DOES NOT WORK LIKE THAT !!
since they didn’t have the proper blood transfusion equipment, she decides to slice her arm but since she heals quickly, it’s not enough time for her to bleed out (i’m thinking if she sliced deeper then maybe more blood would bleed out since it would take longer for her wound to heal? i’m not gonna fight that bit too hard)
that’s not even my biggest gripe. rosalind then injects herself with the immortality cure and BAM she is suddenly a normal girl, immortality gone and it just takes me out how fast the cure worked, a bit anticlimactic. soon after she slices her arm again and bleeds out like a normal person.
I CANNOT BELIEVE WE GOT SO LITTLE OF BENMAR. ACTUALLY SO SHOCKED. roma and juliette’s entry scene was so badass and the scenes after were so heartwarming. i just thought benmar would have the same. i get it though, our flf cast definitely wasn’t close to benmar or even knew of them beforehand. BUT THEY JUST DIPPED SO FAST? COME BACK PLEASEEEE. AT LEAST HANG OUT WITH ROMA AND JULIETTE?
(06/20/22): i just know this book will be angsty af after flf's ending😭
almost started crying again there… i can always trust chloe for the best angst. i’m a little sad this universe is coming to a close but you know what !! if it keeps going, my fav characters will be put through it again… (as chloe said when asked for more benmar: “benedikt is TIRED!” HAHA). overall, i really enjoyed fhh ♡
this is my most unorganized review bc i just have so many thoughts. let’s get into it :)) okay despite wanting orion's memory to return quickly, amnesia!orion was so sweet and endearing to read that i almost didn’t want to let it go so soon (plus the angst it gave, why would I wanna give it away)
He knew her, that much was certain. He felt her occupying immense space, the sound of her scoff and the color of her lips, the smell her hair and the cadence of her voice. He couldn't form the words that described how she existed in his head, but the feeling would balloon in his chest at any invocation—a soft feeling, a sweet feeling, less like sugar and more like springtime's first warm breeze. Yet despite it all, nothing wanted to come into clarity.
the sweet and tender moments they had together like this, just had me:
i also did not expect silas and phoebe's relationship dynamic to hurt me so much. out of all of the characters, somehow my brain did not anticipate their character arcs. and it was SO GOOD.
i do have to say that while i get that our girl rosalind is in her depression era, the beginning of fhh was so so slow and it was over 130 pages before the action kicked in. but luckily from there it was go go GO !! our big cast of characters finally coming to work together this time was so fun to read, especially bringing back older characters iykyk.
i’m the type of reader who can’t move on to the next page until i’ve understood what i’ve read but the politics went over my head. it’s OVE all over again, unfortunately. i really did think i had a good grasp of it at the end of FLF but alas… i did not feel the sense of urgency and the direness of their situations like i did with OVE. which is so sad bc I really wanted to be on the edge of my seat !! bc japan invasion !! brainwashed love interest/soldier !! they way our cast of characters are split in so many different sides, not silas being a whole triple agent😭
there were also some aspects i wish were expanded upon more. i thought some parts were sped past which i didn’t like bc it made moments that i thought would be super important/dramatic, to be so anticlimactic (i have more details in the spoiler section)
okay despite what i’ve said above, i still had a lovely time reading because i love our characters so much. it’s rare for me to enjoy reading every character’s POV, especially with such a big cast, but they each hold a special place my heart (all for various reasons). yall should listen to "My Love Mine All Mine" while reading bc the melancholic vibes matched perfectly.
thank you S&S and netgalley for the arc! this review is entirely my honest opinion <3
OKAY SPOILERY BITS >:)
i had the BEST time reading all the roma and juliette scenes. THE PART WHERE JULIETTE SLAPPED ROMA'S MOUTH SHUT TO STOP HIM FROM CACKLING WHEN ORION ASKED IF HE'S MET MARSHALL BEFORE, AT A WHITE FLOWER CARABET LMAO BYE. RIGHT IN FRONT OF BENEDIKT TOO? it was too good.
okay the ending was absolutely insane. when orion had lost too much blood, rosalind offered her blood based on the logic that since celia’s blood type matches oliver’s (orion’s brother), her own blood would likely match orion’s since her blood type would probably be the same as her twin and MY QUEEN, IT DOES NOT WORK LIKE THAT !!
since they didn’t have the proper blood transfusion equipment, she decides to slice her arm but since she heals quickly, it’s not enough time for her to bleed out (i’m thinking if she sliced deeper then maybe more blood would bleed out since it would take longer for her wound to heal? i’m not gonna fight that bit too hard)
that’s not even my biggest gripe. rosalind then injects herself with the immortality cure and BAM she is suddenly a normal girl, immortality gone and it just takes me out how fast the cure worked, a bit anticlimactic. soon after she slices her arm again and bleeds out like a normal person.
I CANNOT BELIEVE WE GOT SO LITTLE OF BENMAR. ACTUALLY SO SHOCKED. roma and juliette’s entry scene was so badass and the scenes after were so heartwarming. i just thought benmar would have the same. i get it though, our flf cast definitely wasn’t close to benmar or even knew of them beforehand. BUT THEY JUST DIPPED SO FAST? COME BACK PLEASEEEE. AT LEAST HANG OUT WITH ROMA AND JULIETTE?
(06/20/22): i just know this book will be angsty af after flf's ending😭
December 29, 2023
“No, Orion. I’m trying to tell you that I kept you at a distance because I knew I wouldn’t respond to you like other people did, and I had no business playing with fire. Then somewhere along the way, between our last petty argument and the fifth time you decided to sleep on my shoulder, I fell in love with you, and once I’ve tumbled that deep, I’m trying to understand everything you say no matter which language it’s in.”
This is so absolutely magnificent it deserves so much more than five stars. I'm convinced that Chloe Gong is physically incapable of writing a bad story. There are no flaws in this whatsoever. There isn't a single dull moment. My emotions are so thoroughly manipulated, that I don't know what to feel anymore. I cried, laughed, and swooned uncontrollably, and my heart racing so rapidly I felt faint. Anyone who says you can't have romance, action, drama, and comedy all in one should read Chloe Gong's books. Not to mention, the historical aspect of this series is as fascinating as the fictional part of it and I feel like I've learned a lot from it even if it isn't entirely accurate.
Moreover, I am head over heels for Rosalind and Orion. They are both such fantastic characters and have gone through so much shit even before they met that I was practically begging for a happy ending. Rosalind's character arc specifically is astounding. She has become an almost completely different (better) person since These Violent Delights. Besides, Celia and Oliver are as adorable as their respective siblings and their own storyline is so raw and wonderful, that my eyes are permanently heart-shaped now. I love how they are both so dedicated to their cause but would still do anything to help Rosalind and Orion even if their work makes them enemies.
The same applies to Silas and Phoebe. Their relationship hasn't solidified in Foul Lady Fortune as they haven't said anything to each other regarding their feelings. However, it develops nicely in this book, and they have their own sweet and intense moments. In addition, Alisa Montagova is the funniest character. She is sunshine personified. Her positive attitude and skills in the face of any kind of adversity make her the most important asset to everyone. I honestly believe that no one would survive without her.
Lastly, my favorite thing in literature is when the main characters of the prequel series make an appearance in the sequels. I am obviously talking about Roma, Juliette, Benedikt, and Marchall. They are the cherry on top of this delectable story. Their presence in this book wasn't a surprise as they took up the role of protagonists once more in the novella that came out earlier this year and it was clear that they would make an appearance again. Nonetheless, it didn't stop me from screaming at the top of my lungs at the mere sight of their names and jumping up and down like a deranged gazel. It is safe to say that there is not a single badly-written character in this entire series. I would let them all use my back as a footstool.
May 6, 2024
women written by chloe gong will always be loved by me 🫶🏻
January 22, 2025
don't even care if it hasn't been written yet give it to meeeeeeeeeeeee
August 5, 2024
.𖥔 ݁ 4.5 stars
🖇 contains major spoilers┊ ya historical romance + sci-fi elements
⤿ trigger/content warnings: violence and torture
જ⁀➴ for mitra, thank you for reading this with me making this so much more special and to juju, rina, and ingrid who loves this series as much as i do
* there will be MAJOR spoilers for these violent delights, our violent ends, foul lady fortune, and last violent call
the secret shanghai universe means the absolute world to me so it pains me that this is the final installment set in this world. i hold these characters near and dear to my heart. seeing every character grow has been a journey of its own. they are one of my favourite found families to everfictionally exist.
the only reason why this isn't a full five stars (like i was hoping it would be) is because the ending went by so fast. the build-up was strong but then it all came crashing down. also the amount of pov changing in this one took me out of the story a little bit. nonetheless this entire universe is still infinity stars for me and i encourage everyone to go read this series immediately .
seeing rosalind finally accept and let herself love orion was peak character development. especially since we got to see her grow from the first book. she has finally learnt to let go of the guilt that she felt and understands that she is deserving of love and that it's always beenthat piece of shit dimitri's rot in hell fault. orion was that light that she needed. she lowered down her walls which was so heartwarming. rosalind's entire character arc is one for the history books. i love how chloe made her such a strong female character without having the lila bard not-like-other-girls effect. rosalind lang you are so loved (by me).
orion hong the man that you are - talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it. the fact that he remembered his and rosalind's first-ever encounter was enough to make me sob. even after everything that has happened to them, he still loves her the same with or without amnesia.
the epilogue. the proposal. i was kicking my feet squealing but at the same time, i was also sobbing until all the liquid had left my body. i was so happy that they got the ending that they deserved but i was so sad because it was the end. nevertheless, it was such a satisfying conclusion and i loved the direction in which their relationship went. rosarion will always be that married couple.
that was some bridgerton level type of confession.
the amount of scenes that they had was *chef's kiss. this scene alone was enough to make me run laps around my apartment. i physically had to stand up, wit back down, stand back up, and run around. honestly rip oliver hong because you would have loved bruno mars (he's not dead). one thing that i absolutely love the subtle trans mention. i like how chloe did not make it such a big deal because queer is normal. being trans does not need to be a deciding factor in whether you should be loved or not. oliver acknowledges that she's trans and that was it. it didn't need to be an extravagant part of their relationship. i just love seeing how warm and genuine their love is. olivercelia is for the history books.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (totally normal reaction to phoebesilas)
first of all, i would like to formally apologize to silas wu for all the bad things that i said about him because i full-heartedly thought he betrayed phoebe BUT OF COURSE he would never do such a thing. their angst was truly angsting in this book. they are peak slow-burn. if chloe came out with a phoebesilas novel from when they first met all the way to present times then i would not be upset. i just wanted them to kiss so. bad. needless to say i need to know what's happening to them because what do you mean their relationship is still complicated ??
just writing this quote makes me sad.
but now let’s talk reunion. i was in shambles and my brain chemistry has been altered resulting in me never being the same ever again. it was so dear to me. the found family aspect was so well done. the different types of dynamics and relationships all in one room. romajuliette being domesticated while rosarion are so puppy love stage. as well as the aroma and alisa reunion ?? literally cried buckets. again, i will never let go of these characters and i will forever think about them constantly.
⤿ bottomline. i am so incredibly sad that it's over but this was such a good conclusion. this series probably isn't for everyone but it was for me. i love it with my whole entire heart and will forever be annoyingly devoted to it. these characters are so real to me. these stories are embedded in my brain. romajuliette, benmarsh, rosalindorion, olivercelia, phoebesilas, and alisa montagova are some of my favs ever and i will be constantly thinking about them for as much as my tiny brain can handle.
─ more chloe gong ᝰ.ᐟ
these violent delights
our violent ends
foul lady fortune
foul heart huntsman
# all reviews are opinions of my own and you should experience a book before giving your own. happy reading! 💌
fin. ꗃ 03 | 07 | 24
🖇 contains major spoilers┊ ya historical romance + sci-fi elements
⤿ trigger/content warnings: violence and torture
જ⁀➴ for mitra, thank you for reading this with me making this so much more special and to juju, rina, and ingrid who loves this series as much as i do
𖥻 “regret would always clothe her in a heavy shroud, change the way she moved and the way she met the world.
but so did love. and it was warmer, thicker.”
* there will be MAJOR spoilers for these violent delights, our violent ends, foul lady fortune, and last violent call
the secret shanghai universe means the absolute world to me so it pains me that this is the final installment set in this world. i hold these characters near and dear to my heart. seeing every character grow has been a journey of its own. they are one of my favourite found families to ever
the only reason why this isn't a full five stars (like i was hoping it would be) is because the ending went by so fast. the build-up was strong but then it all came crashing down. also the amount of pov changing in this one took me out of the story a little bit. nonetheless this entire universe is still infinity stars for me and i encourage everyone to go read this series immediately .
— rosalind lang + orion hong ⊹ "the ground could break under their feet, the sky could wash out its blue, descend into ash instead. the next month lay uncertain, as did the very next day, but no longer was it time spent in the shadows, hidden without love.”
seeing rosalind finally accept and let herself love orion was peak character development. especially since we got to see her grow from the first book. she has finally learnt to let go of the guilt that she felt and understands that she is deserving of love and that it's always been
orion hong the man that you are - talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it. the fact that he remembered his and rosalind's first-ever encounter was enough to make me sob. even after everything that has happened to them, he still loves her the same with or without amnesia.
the epilogue. the proposal. i was kicking my feet squealing but at the same time, i was also sobbing until all the liquid had left my body. i was so happy that they got the ending that they deserved but i was so sad because it was the end. nevertheless, it was such a satisfying conclusion and i loved the direction in which their relationship went. rosarion will always be that married couple.
— celia lang + oliver hong ⊹ "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. it's simple - just tell me you don't feel the same, and i'll let you go. but i won't accept anything else.”
that was some bridgerton level type of confession.
the amount of scenes that they had was *chef's kiss. this scene alone was enough to make me run laps around my apartment. i physically had to stand up, wit back down, stand back up, and run around. honestly rip oliver hong because you would have loved bruno mars (he's not dead). one thing that i absolutely love the subtle trans mention. i like how chloe did not make it such a big deal because queer is normal. being trans does not need to be a deciding factor in whether you should be loved or not. oliver acknowledges that she's trans and that was it. it didn't need to be an extravagant part of their relationship. i just love seeing how warm and genuine their love is. olivercelia is for the history books.
— phoebe hong + silas wu ⊹ "of course i was committed to her beyond what was accepted 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.”
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (totally normal reaction to phoebesilas)
first of all, i would like to formally apologize to silas wu for all the bad things that i said about him because i full-heartedly thought he betrayed phoebe BUT OF COURSE he would never do such a thing. their angst was truly angsting in this book. they are peak slow-burn. if chloe came out with a phoebesilas novel from when they first met all the way to present times then i would not be upset. i just wanted them to kiss so. bad. needless to say i need to know what's happening to them because what do you mean their relationship is still complicated ??
𖥻 “i would have found you anywhere.
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?”
just writing this quote makes me sad.
but now let’s talk reunion. i was in shambles and my brain chemistry has been altered resulting in me never being the same ever again. it was so dear to me. the found family aspect was so well done. the different types of dynamics and relationships all in one room. romajuliette being domesticated while rosarion are so puppy love stage. as well as the aroma and alisa reunion ?? literally cried buckets. again, i will never let go of these characters and i will forever think about them constantly.
𖥻 “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.”
⤿ bottomline. i am so incredibly sad that it's over but this was such a good conclusion. this series probably isn't for everyone but it was for me. i love it with my whole entire heart and will forever be annoyingly devoted to it. these characters are so real to me. these stories are embedded in my brain. romajuliette, benmarsh, rosalindorion, olivercelia, phoebesilas, and alisa montagova are some of my favs ever and i will be constantly thinking about them for as much as my tiny brain can handle.
─ more chloe gong ᝰ.ᐟ
these violent delights
our violent ends
foul lady fortune
foul heart huntsman
# all reviews are opinions of my own and you should experience a book before giving your own. happy reading! 💌
fin. ꗃ 03 | 07 | 24
October 14, 2023
⊹ 𓏲࣪ 5 stars ★ 𓄹 ࣪ .
⤿ minor spoilers in this review
⤷ “ at any moment the alarms could blare, could bid them to pick up their bags and flee. the ground could break under their feet, the sky could wash out its blue, descend into ash instead. the next month lay uncertain, as did the very next day, but no longer was it time spent in the shadows, hidden without love. ”
brb while i mourn for these characters.ignore the fact that i finished this book 2 weeks ago and took 3 days to write the review. gotta do my fave book justice
i can't believe the secret shanghai universe is finally over !! the foul lady fortune series is my comfort read, and i will miss my favourite characters very dearly <3
everything about chloe gong and her books are complete and utter perfection. say what you want about her and her writing, but SHE KNOWS how to write the most heartwarming characters and relationships to exist. she is such a literary genius who deserves all the love and recognition and more. she is so mother, and i am eternally grateful to chloe for gracing us with this series 🧸💞
foul heart huntsman gave me the best ending possible for this series. tbh i was counting on chloe to write us the most devastating, heart-wrenching, hysterical ending ever,i still haven't recovered from OVE ending, but she gave us something even better. she wrote the happiest ending possible, that gave me sm closure and left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling in my heart.
i adore every single character, don’t ask me to choose one bc they all have my whole heart. i am terribly emotionally invested in their lives and journeys, and i would die for them.
⇢ rosalind. GET BEHIND ME BBY. rosalind must be protected at all costs, and i would gladly lay down my life for her. i can't even put into words the amount of love i hold for this girl. i adore every single one of her flaws and perfections. her character growth from these violent delights up to flf is perfect and was truly one of the best character arcs i've ever read about. she has been through sm and is initially guarded and resistant to love because of her past experiences and fear of vulnerability. but i'm so happy orion helped her lower her walls and open herself up to love. i especially loved reading about her journey of learning to forgive herself, and when juliette forgave her my heart was swelling.
“ 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. ”
⇢ orion. my sweetest boy. the fact that he can speak chinese, english, japanese, german, french, AND italian ?? orion is husband material and no one can tell me otherwise. the little moments of affection between him, and rosalind are the greatest things ever given to us. when he held rosalind's hand whenever she felt anxious. the way they would instinctively steal glances and touches. his unconditional support for every little thing about her. when he calls her beloved. when he lost his memory yet still held sm love for rosalind.
“ even if the memories never come back, he said slowly. i'm going to love you again. ”
sobbing hysterically. they are so desperately in love w each other.
“ i make you weak. ”
“ no, celia, tell the truth. his grip tightened on her. one hand rose, sinking into her loose hair. you spoke correctly the first time. you're afraid. i tell you over and over again that i want you, but you generate excuses for me. i tell you that i refuse to worship my father's image of respectability, but you make it a matter of safety. 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 . ”
DYING CRYING. 😭
⇢ celia + oliver. altered my brain chemistry. they make my heart flutter. the tension between them at the beginning and all the little ways oliver cares for celia. i love rosorion sm, but celia and oliver hit so different in the best way possible. THEIR MUTUAL PINNING. shut up rn. their story is so tragic, gut-wrenching, soul-crushing. celia giving us trans rep and oliver loving her regardless !! 💞
“ you know, celia said very carefully, her voice almost hoarse. that being with me would be very different from being with another woman. ”
“ good, he said. it should be different because you are the woman i am in love with, not another. ”
my god my god my god. someone pls restrain me.
⇢ alisa. TELL ME WHY ALISA BECAME THE BIGGEST ICON KNOWN TO EXISTENCE. i've always felt indifferent towards her character, but oh, how wrong i was. she has become my little sister and my sole reason of joy. her humor is unmatched and her relationship with her brother !! PLS 🖐 the most PRECIOUS platonic relationship to exist. i will miss her and her silly little jokes soso much.
“ 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. ”
⇢ silas + phoebe. tbh i don't love these character's as much as the others. i mean HOW do you expect me to compare their relationship to rosorion and olivercelia. they were very infuriating at times bc of how blind and oblivious they acted. i was yelling in my empty room at 2 am for them to SHUT UP AND KISS ALREADY !! sm unnecessary miscommunication, and for what ? they were still entertaining to read about though, and the plot twist with silas had me in a chokehold. i did really enjoy seeing the dynamics between phoebe and her mother, but i wanted more between silas and phoebe with the rest of the gang. what happened to phoebe's relationship with her brother's ?? and silas' friendship with orion ?? they are supposed to be best friends, and we got almost no moments with them together. we needed more of them all together.
“ i couldn't let them do this, she whispered. they got out even when i almost ruined them. i won't let them risk it again. ”
rosalind's sense of protection for roma and juliette 🥺
⇢ roma + juliette and marshall + benedikt. their reunion was the cutest, and my love for them hasn't once dulled since reading TVD. tbh we were robbed of more marshall + benedikt scenes, but i'm still so happy we got a few chapters with them. as always they stole the show even though they had nowhere near sufficient pagetime.
married roma and juliette have my heart <33 their love for each other is the purest and sweetest. lemme just hold on to them and never let go. ❤🩹🫂
⇢ the epilogue. changed my life for the better. this was everything !! after what felt like years, rosalind and orion are finally happy and in love. his proposal !! i want and need an orion immediately. thank you chloe for giving everyone the happy ending they deserve after all that suffering and pain. i was reading the epilogue so slowly and trying to savor every single word. let me be delulu and pretend that this isn't the end.
not to mention the plot twists the angst ??!! i've said it once, and i'll say it again, chloe gong is a mastermind.
“ the sky itself says i love you. i have loved you since we weren't actually married, and i can't bear another day living in a falsity. please, rosalind, put me out of my misery. ”
rosorion brainrot.
⤿ minor spoilers in this review
⤷ “ at any moment the alarms could blare, could bid them to pick up their bags and flee. the ground could break under their feet, the sky could wash out its blue, descend into ash instead. the next month lay uncertain, as did the very next day, but no longer was it time spent in the shadows, hidden without love. ”
brb while i mourn for these characters.
i can't believe the secret shanghai universe is finally over !! the foul lady fortune series is my comfort read, and i will miss my favourite characters very dearly <3
everything about chloe gong and her books are complete and utter perfection. say what you want about her and her writing, but SHE KNOWS how to write the most heartwarming characters and relationships to exist. she is such a literary genius who deserves all the love and recognition and more. she is so mother, and i am eternally grateful to chloe for gracing us with this series 🧸💞
foul heart huntsman gave me the best ending possible for this series. tbh i was counting on chloe to write us the most devastating, heart-wrenching, hysterical ending ever,
i adore every single character, don’t ask me to choose one bc they all have my whole heart. i am terribly emotionally invested in their lives and journeys, and i would die for them.
⇢ rosalind. GET BEHIND ME BBY. rosalind must be protected at all costs, and i would gladly lay down my life for her. i can't even put into words the amount of love i hold for this girl. i adore every single one of her flaws and perfections. her character growth from these violent delights up to flf is perfect and was truly one of the best character arcs i've ever read about. she has been through sm and is initially guarded and resistant to love because of her past experiences and fear of vulnerability. but i'm so happy orion helped her lower her walls and open herself up to love. i especially loved reading about her journey of learning to forgive herself, and when juliette forgave her my heart was swelling.
“ 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. ”
⇢ orion. my sweetest boy. the fact that he can speak chinese, english, japanese, german, french, AND italian ?? orion is husband material and no one can tell me otherwise. the little moments of affection between him, and rosalind are the greatest things ever given to us. when he held rosalind's hand whenever she felt anxious. the way they would instinctively steal glances and touches. his unconditional support for every little thing about her. when he calls her beloved. when he lost his memory yet still held sm love for rosalind.
“ even if the memories never come back, he said slowly. i'm going to love you again. ”
sobbing hysterically. they are so desperately in love w each other.
“ i make you weak. ”
“ no, celia, tell the truth. his grip tightened on her. one hand rose, sinking into her loose hair. you spoke correctly the first time. you're afraid. i tell you over and over again that i want you, but you generate excuses for me. i tell you that i refuse to worship my father's image of respectability, but you make it a matter of safety. 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 . ”
DYING CRYING. 😭
⇢ celia + oliver. altered my brain chemistry. they make my heart flutter. the tension between them at the beginning and all the little ways oliver cares for celia. i love rosorion sm, but celia and oliver hit so different in the best way possible. THEIR MUTUAL PINNING. shut up rn. their story is so tragic, gut-wrenching, soul-crushing. celia giving us trans rep and oliver loving her regardless !! 💞
“ you know, celia said very carefully, her voice almost hoarse. that being with me would be very different from being with another woman. ”
“ good, he said. it should be different because you are the woman i am in love with, not another. ”
my god my god my god. someone pls restrain me.
⇢ alisa. TELL ME WHY ALISA BECAME THE BIGGEST ICON KNOWN TO EXISTENCE. i've always felt indifferent towards her character, but oh, how wrong i was. she has become my little sister and my sole reason of joy. her humor is unmatched and her relationship with her brother !! PLS 🖐 the most PRECIOUS platonic relationship to exist. i will miss her and her silly little jokes soso much.
“ 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. ”
⇢ silas + phoebe. tbh i don't love these character's as much as the others. i mean HOW do you expect me to compare their relationship to rosorion and olivercelia. they were very infuriating at times bc of how blind and oblivious they acted. i was yelling in my empty room at 2 am for them to SHUT UP AND KISS ALREADY !! sm unnecessary miscommunication, and for what ? they were still entertaining to read about though, and the plot twist with silas had me in a chokehold. i did really enjoy seeing the dynamics between phoebe and her mother, but i wanted more between silas and phoebe with the rest of the gang. what happened to phoebe's relationship with her brother's ?? and silas' friendship with orion ?? they are supposed to be best friends, and we got almost no moments with them together. we needed more of them all together.
“ i couldn't let them do this, she whispered. they got out even when i almost ruined them. i won't let them risk it again. ”
rosalind's sense of protection for roma and juliette 🥺
⇢ roma + juliette and marshall + benedikt. their reunion was the cutest, and my love for them hasn't once dulled since reading TVD. tbh we were robbed of more marshall + benedikt scenes, but i'm still so happy we got a few chapters with them. as always they stole the show even though they had nowhere near sufficient pagetime.
married roma and juliette have my heart <33 their love for each other is the purest and sweetest. lemme just hold on to them and never let go. ❤🩹🫂
⇢ the epilogue. changed my life for the better. this was everything !! after what felt like years, rosalind and orion are finally happy and in love. his proposal !! i want and need an orion immediately. thank you chloe for giving everyone the happy ending they deserve after all that suffering and pain. i was reading the epilogue so slowly and trying to savor every single word. let me be delulu and pretend that this isn't the end.
not to mention the plot twists the angst ??!! i've said it once, and i'll say it again, chloe gong is a mastermind.
“ the sky itself says i love you. i have loved you since we weren't actually married, and i can't bear another day living in a falsity. please, rosalind, put me out of my misery. ”
rosorion brainrot.
December 24, 2024
Maybe I am afraid," she whispered. "How do I live with myself if there ever comes a day you get hurt because of me?"
Oliver smoothed his hand over her cheek. Brushed right at the soft space beneath her eye, like he was dusting off the stars that had fallen between them.
"You accept it," he replied simply. "Because that's what it means to be alive. That's what it means to fight for something--to love something. The county is good enough for us to die for. Why wouldn't you be?"
^Oliver stealing the spotlight from Orion with ease.
4.5 stars
This was a great ending to this entire series, and I'm sad to see it end. It's a great redemption for Rosalind considering everything that happened in the first duology, and it was a good conclusion for all of the main characters, including the ones we just met.
It was really awesome to see all the entire gang back together again, but we DID NOT get enough Benedkit and Marshall. Like two scenes and that's it?? No, no, they all should have been involved in the end, like a huge heist a la Six of Crows.
Speaking of the end, the entrance of Priest/Phoebe at the end was awesome. I also saw the Silas "betrayal" coming but I was hoping it was another double cross, quadruple cross, whatever it ended up being.
I wasn't super stoked when we had the memory loss trope, but I think it was handled pretty well here. Even without his memories, Orion was still very much himself and still knew that Rosalind was his beau.
I'm a little bummed we didn't get a love screen with them, not that it would have any spice; I don't think the love screen in These Violent Ends had spice, but it was a nice addition--for me at least.
But this was great, and I'll have to make a point to reread the whole series together at some point.
Oliver smoothed his hand over her cheek. Brushed right at the soft space beneath her eye, like he was dusting off the stars that had fallen between them.
"You accept it," he replied simply. "Because that's what it means to be alive. That's what it means to fight for something--to love something. The county is good enough for us to die for. Why wouldn't you be?"
^Oliver stealing the spotlight from Orion with ease.
4.5 stars
This was a great ending to this entire series, and I'm sad to see it end. It's a great redemption for Rosalind considering everything that happened in the first duology, and it was a good conclusion for all of the main characters, including the ones we just met.
It was really awesome to see all the entire gang back together again, but we DID NOT get enough Benedkit and Marshall. Like two scenes and that's it?? No, no, they all should have been involved in the end, like a huge heist a la Six of Crows.
Speaking of the end, the entrance of Priest/Phoebe at the end was awesome. I also saw the Silas "betrayal" coming but I was hoping it was another double cross, quadruple cross, whatever it ended up being.
I wasn't super stoked when we had the memory loss trope, but I think it was handled pretty well here. Even without his memories, Orion was still very much himself and still knew that Rosalind was his beau.
I'm a little bummed we didn't get a love screen with them, not that it would have any spice; I don't think the love screen in These Violent Ends had spice, but it was a nice addition--for me at least.
But this was great, and I'll have to make a point to reread the whole series together at some point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2024
･:*:･ﾟ⁀➷ 5/5 ★
Okay this was S T U N N I N G 😫😫 I actually hadn't had a 5 star in 2024 before this, but this book absolutely deserves all the stars 💌 This series holds such a special place in my heart and this was the PERFECT ending!! 🥹🥹💝💝
“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?”
Tropes:
🏹 Spies
🏹 Fake marriage
🏹 Black cat x golden retriever vibes
🏹 Strong fmc
“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.”
I've honestly been reading this series for quite a while- late 2022 was when I picked up these violent delights- so finishing this felt like the end of an era. i'm so glad these characters got the ending to their story that they deserved 💐✨️
⁀➷ Plot & Writing:
The plot and writing in Chloe Gong books are always immaculate and this book was no different 🤭🤭 I am obsessed with chloe gong's writing- it is perfect amounts of descriptive and action-packed, and i can really feel all the emotions the characters are feeling. i love the way her writing transports you straight to Shanghai and the culture threaded throughout this series is done so well 🥹🫶
The plots of every single book in this series are soo well thought out, and this one was exactly the same! i love how one tiny detail earlier in the book can be revealed as some crazy plot twist later on, it's literally so smart 🫶🫶 This book had such a great storyline and the last part of the book?! INSANE 😩😩 the number of times i was full on sobbing over this book is a little embarrassing actually. it just made me feel all the emotions aah!! 🥺🥺
“Tell your heart to stop pumping so fast."
"I can't," he replied weakly. "It swoons when you're around.”
⁀➷ Characters:
Omggg i literally lovee this characters sm!! I feel like i've grown such an emotional attachment to all of them throughout this series- they've all found their way into my heart and i'm never getting rid of them 🥹🥹❤️🩹❤️🩹
➵ Rosalind: MY QUEEN i love her smm! 🤭🤭 I honestly think giving her her own series was such a smart move bc while she was not super likeable in these violent delights, there are so many different layers to her character and i've loved getting to know her more!! she's such a badass and i love her 😌💅
➵ Orion: LITERALLY PERFECT. HE CAN DO NO WRONG 😩✋️ i am utterly obsessed with his golden retriever energy and the sunshine he brings to this series is unmatched!! him flirting while they were in the most serious situations was the funniest thing ever omgg 🤭🤭 live laugh love orion hong 💝💝
➵ Celia: i also lovedd getting more of her in this series as well!! i really enjoyed seeing more of rosalind and celia's relationship in this book and after reading about celia for so many books, i've grown super attached to her! 🥹🫶
Plus the appearance of *ahem* certain characters was literally the best thing ever!! MY BABIES 😭😭❤️🩹❤️🩹 i'm so glad we got to see them one last time 🩷
⁀➷ Romance:
‼️ spoilers in this section for who ends up with who ‼️
➵ Orion and Rosalind:
ahhh i love them sm!! 🤭🤭 i must say, at the very beginning of Foul Lady Fortune, I wasn't so sure about their romance but i was very quickly proved wrong. I will eat up any variation of the fake dating/fake marriage trope and this book does it so well!! 😫😫 plus orion and rosalind's dynamic is soo good- they are the epitome of "he was sunshine, i was midnight rain" and I love it sm 🫶🫶 they had so many amazing scenes and their ending was actually the cutest thing ever 🥹🥹💓💓
➵ Oliver and Celia:
honestly they were the perfect side romance!! 🤭🤭 there has been so much tension between them and seeing them finally get together was so satisfying hehehe. loved their dynamic and oliver's quotes hit so hard. such a great couple! 💓💓
“Regret would always clothe her in a heavy shroud, change the way she moved and the way she met the world.
But so too did love. And it was warmer, thicker.”
“No, Celia, tell the truth.” His grip tightened on her. One hand rose, sinking into her loose hair. “You spoke correctly the first time. You’re afraid. I tell you over and over again that I want you, but you generate excuses for me. I tell you that I refuse to worship my father’s image of respectability, but you make it a matter of safety. 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. It’s simple—just tell me you don’t feel the same, and I’ll let you go. But I won’t accept anything else. I won’t accept your refusal on the make-believe grounds of our work.”
⁀➷ In conclusion:
I absolutely loved this book 🥹🥹💓💓 I would HIGHLY recommend this series if you're looking for:
✔️ Spies!
✔️ Amazing plots
✔️ Stunning romances
✔️ Great writing
✔️ Characters to fall in love with
Now i'm just going to go cry in a corner bc this series is over 🥲💔
《 2024 Challenge: Book 39 of 115 》
･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ
⁀➷ Secret Shanghai series:
➵ These Violent Delights- 5★
➵ Our Violent Ends- 4.5★
➵ Foul Lady Fortune- 4.5★
➵ Last Violent Call- 4★
➵ Foul Heart Huntsman- 5★
･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ
First 5 star of 2024!! 🥹🥹 this was the PERFECT ending to the series & I loved it sm 💘💘 I can't believe this series is over now 🥺🥺💔💔
Rtc when I can see through my tears 🧸
Okay this was S T U N N I N G 😫😫 I actually hadn't had a 5 star in 2024 before this, but this book absolutely deserves all the stars 💌 This series holds such a special place in my heart and this was the PERFECT ending!! 🥹🥹💝💝
“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?”
Tropes:
🏹 Spies
🏹 Fake marriage
🏹 Black cat x golden retriever vibes
🏹 Strong fmc
“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.”
I've honestly been reading this series for quite a while- late 2022 was when I picked up these violent delights- so finishing this felt like the end of an era. i'm so glad these characters got the ending to their story that they deserved 💐✨️
⁀➷ Plot & Writing:
The plot and writing in Chloe Gong books are always immaculate and this book was no different 🤭🤭 I am obsessed with chloe gong's writing- it is perfect amounts of descriptive and action-packed, and i can really feel all the emotions the characters are feeling. i love the way her writing transports you straight to Shanghai and the culture threaded throughout this series is done so well 🥹🫶
The plots of every single book in this series are soo well thought out, and this one was exactly the same! i love how one tiny detail earlier in the book can be revealed as some crazy plot twist later on, it's literally so smart 🫶🫶 This book had such a great storyline and the last part of the book?! INSANE 😩😩 the number of times i was full on sobbing over this book is a little embarrassing actually. it just made me feel all the emotions aah!! 🥺🥺
“Tell your heart to stop pumping so fast."
"I can't," he replied weakly. "It swoons when you're around.”
⁀➷ Characters:
Omggg i literally lovee this characters sm!! I feel like i've grown such an emotional attachment to all of them throughout this series- they've all found their way into my heart and i'm never getting rid of them 🥹🥹❤️🩹❤️🩹
➵ Rosalind: MY QUEEN i love her smm! 🤭🤭 I honestly think giving her her own series was such a smart move bc while she was not super likeable in these violent delights, there are so many different layers to her character and i've loved getting to know her more!! she's such a badass and i love her 😌💅
➵ Orion: LITERALLY PERFECT. HE CAN DO NO WRONG 😩✋️ i am utterly obsessed with his golden retriever energy and the sunshine he brings to this series is unmatched!! him flirting while they were in the most serious situations was the funniest thing ever omgg 🤭🤭 live laugh love orion hong 💝💝
➵ Celia: i also lovedd getting more of her in this series as well!! i really enjoyed seeing more of rosalind and celia's relationship in this book and after reading about celia for so many books, i've grown super attached to her! 🥹🫶
Plus the appearance of *ahem* certain characters was literally the best thing ever!! MY BABIES 😭😭❤️🩹❤️🩹 i'm so glad we got to see them one last time 🩷
⁀➷ Romance:
‼️ spoilers in this section for who ends up with who ‼️
➵ Orion and Rosalind:
ahhh i love them sm!! 🤭🤭 i must say, at the very beginning of Foul Lady Fortune, I wasn't so sure about their romance but i was very quickly proved wrong. I will eat up any variation of the fake dating/fake marriage trope and this book does it so well!! 😫😫 plus orion and rosalind's dynamic is soo good- they are the epitome of "he was sunshine, i was midnight rain" and I love it sm 🫶🫶 they had so many amazing scenes and their ending was actually the cutest thing ever 🥹🥹💓💓
➵ Oliver and Celia:
honestly they were the perfect side romance!! 🤭🤭 there has been so much tension between them and seeing them finally get together was so satisfying hehehe. loved their dynamic and oliver's quotes hit so hard. such a great couple! 💓💓
“Regret would always clothe her in a heavy shroud, change the way she moved and the way she met the world.
But so too did love. And it was warmer, thicker.”
“No, Celia, tell the truth.” His grip tightened on her. One hand rose, sinking into her loose hair. “You spoke correctly the first time. You’re afraid. I tell you over and over again that I want you, but you generate excuses for me. I tell you that I refuse to worship my father’s image of respectability, but you make it a matter of safety. 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. It’s simple—just tell me you don’t feel the same, and I’ll let you go. But I won’t accept anything else. I won’t accept your refusal on the make-believe grounds of our work.”
⁀➷ In conclusion:
I absolutely loved this book 🥹🥹💓💓 I would HIGHLY recommend this series if you're looking for:
✔️ Spies!
✔️ Amazing plots
✔️ Stunning romances
✔️ Great writing
✔️ Characters to fall in love with
Now i'm just going to go cry in a corner bc this series is over 🥲💔
《 2024 Challenge: Book 39 of 115 》
･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ
⁀➷ Secret Shanghai series:
➵ These Violent Delights- 5★
➵ Our Violent Ends- 4.5★
➵ Foul Lady Fortune- 4.5★
➵ Last Violent Call- 4★
➵ Foul Heart Huntsman- 5★
･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ･:*:･ﾟ
First 5 star of 2024!! 🥹🥹 this was the PERFECT ending to the series & I loved it sm 💘💘 I can't believe this series is over now 🥺🥺💔💔
Rtc when I can see through my tears 🧸
November 20, 2023
"hey mom can u tell me how rosalindorion is a red thread of fate couple?"
October 14, 2023
okay wow. i cannot believe this series is finished???? i truly have no words. this was perfection, as usual.
the secret shanghai books and it’s characters and relationships mean the absolute world to me.
i’ve been reading these since these violent delights came out and have been looking forward to new books for the past 3 years — it’s truly my favourite comfort series…
if i wasn’t shedding tears at the thought of saying goodbye to all these characters i would write an essay about how much each of them means to me and what they have taught me over the years.
my brain is still spinning from finishing this and maybe i’ll someday come back here and write an actual review but for now:
goodbye to juliette, roma, ben, mars, orion, alisa, phoebe, silas and especially rosalind, my dazzling star who is truly one of my favourite characters ever written.
begging chloe to release a novella about each character (esp with those romajuliette news….. pls give me some fluff it’s what i deserve)
the secret shanghai books and it’s characters and relationships mean the absolute world to me.
i’ve been reading these since these violent delights came out and have been looking forward to new books for the past 3 years — it’s truly my favourite comfort series…
if i wasn’t shedding tears at the thought of saying goodbye to all these characters i would write an essay about how much each of them means to me and what they have taught me over the years.
my brain is still spinning from finishing this and maybe i’ll someday come back here and write an actual review but for now:
goodbye to juliette, roma, ben, mars, orion, alisa, phoebe, silas and especially rosalind, my dazzling star who is truly one of my favourite characters ever written.
begging chloe to release a novella about each character (esp with those romajuliette news….. pls give me some fluff it’s what i deserve)
October 17, 2023
miss chloe said im a celebrity to her just so yall all know 🤍🤍🤍
November 10, 2024
🗡️| Infinite Stars 💫✨
Ahhh what a stunning conclusion to a truly magical series 🥹❤️🩹 Ngl I have been putting off finishing this series FOREVER, as I didn't want it to end, but the ending was way better than I could have ever imagined 🥳🥳 No joke the second I finished I re-read the epilogue probably 100 times. I want to cry (happy tears) bc of how much I love this book ❤️🩹❤️🩹
I didn't know I could love Chloe's writing more than I did already, but I'm more than happy to be proven wrong 🤭🤭 One of the main problems I have had with her previous books is that the multiple povs can mess with my head, but thankfully I found FHH way easier to understand 😅😅 Also can we talk about how perfectly Last Violent Call and Foul Heart Huntsman connect, Chloe Gong is truly a mastermind 😍😍
.ೃ࿐⁀➷ Playlist
❥ Right Where You Left Me - Taylor Swift
❥ Midnight Rain - Taylor Swift
❥ I Miss You I'm Sorry - Gracie Abrams
❥ Back To December - Taylor Swift
❥ Love Is Embarrassing - Olivia Rodrigo
.ೃ࿐⁀➷ Characters
➸ “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.”
❥ Rosalind: Ok so I liked her in FLF, but I LOVED her in FHH 🤩🤩 She is so badass and such a queen 👑👑 I love how she would do anything to protect the ones she loves 🥰🥰 Her character development throughout the duology is AMAZING 😩😩 I'm going to miss her character sm 🥺🥺
➸ “Even if the memories never come back," he said slowly, "I'm going to love you again. I have decided to warn you in advance.”
❥ Orion: ORION THE MAN YOU ARE 🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️ I swear I melted into a puddle every time he called her beloved 🫠🫠 I felt so so bad for him, with all the things he went through and all of the plot twists about his family and just wanted to give him a hug 😭😭🫂🫂 It's safe to say I will be thinking about him for the foreseeable future 🤭🤭
➸ “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?”
❥ Other Characters: Omg all of the side characters have grown on me sm 🤭🤭 Ngl at the start I didn't know how I felt about Phoebe and Silas (especially Pheobe), but they grew on me sm 🥰🥰 I'm no joke O B S E S S E D with Celia and Oliver, petition to get their book (I don't ever want to leave this world lol 😂😂😭😭) I love Alisa so freaking much, I said it again and again in TVD that I needed more of her, and I finally got it 😄😄 And all of the cameo's, I'm crying I love those character SO SO MUCH 🥺🥺
.ೃ࿐⁀➷ Romance
➸ “Then somewhere along the way, between our last petty argument and the fifth time you decided to sleep on my shoulder, I fell in love with you, and once I’ve tumbled that deep, I’m trying to understand everything you say no matter which language it’s in.”
❥ Rosalind + Orion: Eeee I'm obsessed!! Ngl I wasn't the biggest fan of their relationship in book one, purely bc I couldn't distinguish what was real and what was acting half of the time, 🫣🫣 but to say their romance in FHH made up for it would be a severe understatement 🤭🤭 I feel so bad for both Rosalind and Orion when he was still being possessed, but Chloe totally made up for it in the reunion scene 🫠🫠 (It's not even funny how many times I read and reread that scene, trying to imprint it in my memory 😂😂)
➸ “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.”
❥ Celia + Oliver: I LOVE THEM SO SO MUCH 🥹❤️🩹 Is it bad that I was as invested in their story than Rosalind and Orion's 🫣🫣 The chemistry was on fire 🔥🔥 but the slow burn omg 😩😩 (It was worth every second when they finally got together 😂😂) The was Oliver called her sweetheart was so cute, the Hong brothers and their nicknames 🤭🤭 I need a Last Violent Call with Rosalind and Orion, and Celia and Oliver 💘💘
➸ “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.”
❥ Phoebe + Silas: Honestly, they were pretty cute 🤭🤭 I don't love how Phoebe used him in the past, but I'm glad she recognised it and made an effort to improve 🫡🫡 Ngl I do wish we got a little more time focusing on their banter bc it was 🤌🏻🤌🏻
!! MAJOR spoilers !!
➸ “Biǎojiě," Juliette Cai said, grinning. "Don't you recognize me anymore?”
❥ Juliette + Roma: I'm sorry but I had to add them 🤭🤭 Eeee I'm SO SO HAPPY we got a cameo of them 🥳🥳 It's unhealthy how much I love these two 😩😩 I swear I could read a 1000-page novel about them doing the dishes and I would still eat it up. OMFG AND THE NEWS ABOUT THE PREGNACY!!! CHOLE GONG, YOU CANNOT LEAVE US HANGING LIKE THAT 😱😱
!! end of MAJOR spoilers !!
.ೃ࿐⁀➷ In Conclusion
Overall, a STUNNING conclusion to a truly magical series. I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend if you are looking for:
✅ Plot Twists
✅ Spies
✅ Really sweet found family
✅ Black cat x golden retriever
✅ Beautiful writing
✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*
🗡️| pre-read
It's finally time to finish the Secret Shanghai series!! Ngl I've been putting it off for so long bc I don't want it to end 🥺🥺 Fingers crossed it is as stunning as the rest of the series 🤞🏻🤞🏻
Ahhh what a stunning conclusion to a truly magical series 🥹❤️🩹 Ngl I have been putting off finishing this series FOREVER, as I didn't want it to end, but the ending was way better than I could have ever imagined 🥳🥳 No joke the second I finished I re-read the epilogue probably 100 times. I want to cry (happy tears) bc of how much I love this book ❤️🩹❤️🩹
I didn't know I could love Chloe's writing more than I did already, but I'm more than happy to be proven wrong 🤭🤭 One of the main problems I have had with her previous books is that the multiple povs can mess with my head, but thankfully I found FHH way easier to understand 😅😅 Also can we talk about how perfectly Last Violent Call and Foul Heart Huntsman connect, Chloe Gong is truly a mastermind 😍😍
.ೃ࿐⁀➷ Playlist
❥ Right Where You Left Me - Taylor Swift
❥ Midnight Rain - Taylor Swift
❥ I Miss You I'm Sorry - Gracie Abrams
❥ Back To December - Taylor Swift
❥ Love Is Embarrassing - Olivia Rodrigo
.ೃ࿐⁀➷ Characters
➸ “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.”
❥ Rosalind: Ok so I liked her in FLF, but I LOVED her in FHH 🤩🤩 She is so badass and such a queen 👑👑 I love how she would do anything to protect the ones she loves 🥰🥰 Her character development throughout the duology is AMAZING 😩😩 I'm going to miss her character sm 🥺🥺
➸ “Even if the memories never come back," he said slowly, "I'm going to love you again. I have decided to warn you in advance.”
❥ Orion: ORION THE MAN YOU ARE 🧎🏻♀️🧎🏻♀️ I swear I melted into a puddle every time he called her beloved 🫠🫠 I felt so so bad for him, with all the things he went through and all of the plot twists about his family and just wanted to give him a hug 😭😭🫂🫂 It's safe to say I will be thinking about him for the foreseeable future 🤭🤭
➸ “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?”
❥ Other Characters: Omg all of the side characters have grown on me sm 🤭🤭 Ngl at the start I didn't know how I felt about Phoebe and Silas (especially Pheobe), but they grew on me sm 🥰🥰 I'm no joke O B S E S S E D with Celia and Oliver, petition to get their book (I don't ever want to leave this world lol 😂😂😭😭) I love Alisa so freaking much, I said it again and again in TVD that I needed more of her, and I finally got it 😄😄 And all of the cameo's, I'm crying I love those character SO SO MUCH 🥺🥺
.ೃ࿐⁀➷ Romance
➸ “Then somewhere along the way, between our last petty argument and the fifth time you decided to sleep on my shoulder, I fell in love with you, and once I’ve tumbled that deep, I’m trying to understand everything you say no matter which language it’s in.”
❥ Rosalind + Orion: Eeee I'm obsessed!! Ngl I wasn't the biggest fan of their relationship in book one, purely bc I couldn't distinguish what was real and what was acting half of the time, 🫣🫣 but to say their romance in FHH made up for it would be a severe understatement 🤭🤭 I feel so bad for both Rosalind and Orion when he was still being possessed, but Chloe totally made up for it in the reunion scene 🫠🫠 (It's not even funny how many times I read and reread that scene, trying to imprint it in my memory 😂😂)
➸ “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.”
❥ Celia + Oliver: I LOVE THEM SO SO MUCH 🥹❤️🩹 Is it bad that I was as invested in their story than Rosalind and Orion's 🫣🫣 The chemistry was on fire 🔥🔥 but the slow burn omg 😩😩 (It was worth every second when they finally got together 😂😂) The was Oliver called her sweetheart was so cute, the Hong brothers and their nicknames 🤭🤭 I need a Last Violent Call with Rosalind and Orion, and Celia and Oliver 💘💘
➸ “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.”
❥ Phoebe + Silas: Honestly, they were pretty cute 🤭🤭 I don't love how Phoebe used him in the past, but I'm glad she recognised it and made an effort to improve 🫡🫡 Ngl I do wish we got a little more time focusing on their banter bc it was 🤌🏻🤌🏻
!! MAJOR spoilers !!
➸ “Biǎojiě," Juliette Cai said, grinning. "Don't you recognize me anymore?”
❥ Juliette + Roma: I'm sorry but I had to add them 🤭🤭 Eeee I'm SO SO HAPPY we got a cameo of them 🥳🥳 It's unhealthy how much I love these two 😩😩 I swear I could read a 1000-page novel about them doing the dishes and I would still eat it up. OMFG AND THE NEWS ABOUT THE PREGNACY!!! CHOLE GONG, YOU CANNOT LEAVE US HANGING LIKE THAT 😱😱
!! end of MAJOR spoilers !!
.ೃ࿐⁀➷ In Conclusion
Overall, a STUNNING conclusion to a truly magical series. I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend if you are looking for:
✅ Plot Twists
✅ Spies
✅ Really sweet found family
✅ Black cat x golden retriever
✅ Beautiful writing
✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*✧･:*
🗡️| pre-read
It's finally time to finish the Secret Shanghai series!! Ngl I've been putting it off for so long bc I don't want it to end 🥺🥺 Fingers crossed it is as stunning as the rest of the series 🤞🏻🤞🏻
May 23, 2024
4.5 Stars!
I’m going to think about this series for a very long time.
I’m going to think about this series for a very long time.
Want to read
March 9, 2023Edit on the same day of my crazy reaction (3/8/23): I JUST READ THE EXCERPT AND I NEED THIS BOOK NOW
I swear, if it ends like OVE did I'm gonna scream 😭
I JUST SAW ONE OF CHLOE'S TIKTOKS AND SAW THE COVER WAS REVEALED AND SPRINTED TO GOODREADS AHH IT'S BEAUTIFUL
I swear, if it ends like OVE did I'm gonna scream 😭
I JUST SAW ONE OF CHLOE'S TIKTOKS AND SAW THE COVER WAS REVEALED AND SPRINTED TO GOODREADS AHH IT'S BEAUTIFUL
October 6, 2023
the only person with a foul heart is whoever decided to end this series 😭😭
June 14, 2024
I feel like giving this three stars is so controversial! But honestly, even though I enjoyed this book, I think it fell short of my expectations.
Part of the issue is that the first book in this duology was SO GOOD. I think Orion and Rosalind’s romance was so much more fun in the first book because of the enemies to lovers and fake marriage tropes. Their love story just didn’t sparkle in the same way in this one for me, and that’s a big part of why I’m giving it a kind of mid rating.
Random things I liked:
-I loved the way the author wove in real events from history. I definitely want to learn more about this time period.
-The 1930s Shanghai vibes remain flawless. I loved the clothing descriptions!
-All of the characters are honestly pretty likeable. It’s a fun ensemble cast.
-The ending was super satisfying and wraps the series up well.
Random things I didn’t like:
- The book felt like it was longer than it needed to be. It takes so long to get to the point where we’re even reunited with Orion.
-OK, I’m sorry, Oliver, but calling the girl you’re flirting with “sweetheart” is 🤢. I feel like if a pet name is something your grandma would call you, it should not be part of your banter! Is that just a me thing?
Part of the issue is that the first book in this duology was SO GOOD. I think Orion and Rosalind’s romance was so much more fun in the first book because of the enemies to lovers and fake marriage tropes. Their love story just didn’t sparkle in the same way in this one for me, and that’s a big part of why I’m giving it a kind of mid rating.
Random things I liked:
-I loved the way the author wove in real events from history. I definitely want to learn more about this time period.
-The 1930s Shanghai vibes remain flawless. I loved the clothing descriptions!
-All of the characters are honestly pretty likeable. It’s a fun ensemble cast.
-The ending was super satisfying and wraps the series up well.
Random things I didn’t like:
- The book felt like it was longer than it needed to be. It takes so long to get to the point where we’re even reunited with Orion.
-OK, I’m sorry, Oliver, but calling the girl you’re flirting with “sweetheart” is 🤢. I feel like if a pet name is something your grandma would call you, it should not be part of your banter! Is that just a me thing?
December 12, 2023
Another solid instalment in this series!
Full of secrets and double crossing and romance. I’m not a big romance lover but the relationships all seem to work really well in here.
After the end of book 2, Orion has had his memory wiped and he has been taken by his mother for further experiments. Rosalind won’t let her fake husband go though, and will go to great lengths to get him back.
Meanwhile tensions between the communists and nationalists are still rife, with further threats of war from the Japanese. Full of action but also with sparks of humour. Chloe Gong is fast becoming a fave for me.
Also
Full of secrets and double crossing and romance. I’m not a big romance lover but the relationships all seem to work really well in here.
After the end of book 2, Orion has had his memory wiped and he has been taken by his mother for further experiments. Rosalind won’t let her fake husband go though, and will go to great lengths to get him back.
Meanwhile tensions between the communists and nationalists are still rife, with further threats of war from the Japanese. Full of action but also with sparks of humour. Chloe Gong is fast becoming a fave for me.
Also
March 12, 2024
⊹ ݁⠀✦ ╮
pre review: 11/03/24
i cannot live without rosaorion. give them back to me, chloe gong, or i'll be seeing you in court. [unintelligible screaming]
⊹ ݁⠀✦ ╮ finished: 12/03/24
i bring a sort ofincomprehensible babble about rosaorion foul lady fortune brainrot vibe to the social function (rtc ^-^)
i cannot live without rosaorion. give them back to me, chloe gong, or i'll be seeing you in court. [unintelligible screaming]
⊹ ݁⠀✦ ╮ finished: 12/03/24
i bring a sort of
Want to read
February 3, 2023chloe gong LISTEN TO ME these characters need a happy ending it’s really not up for discussion
September 16, 2023
9/16/23
guys i don't what to say.
this was so good and i dont have anymore adjectives in me to describe how much i love this book. like it was perfection, and of course some may disagree but its ok to be wrong!
honestly, i wont oppose to an extended epilogue of everyones stories once more bc lowk i though 545 pages were too much but babes tell me why i needed more than that when i was nearing the end. BUT chloe put me through so much with this book lmaoooo
i personally have never loved a sequel more, like this was perfection. PERFECTION. i was so immersed in this book i was thinking about her 24/7 like i couldnt stop reading. even though i love FLF, that book took me like 2 weeks to read, this didnt even take me a week AND i think its thicker than FLF. there were no plot holes (at least that i could find, but im not the greatest judge of character for that bc i cant remember shit), nothing was prolonged too much, and most importantly none of my fav characters died so win win overall!! and thats all i will say for now ◡̈ one of my fav books fs, i cant choose between FLF and FHH so theyre both #1 to me, theyre twins. anyways love yall, bye!
out of context spoilers below!
"I will love you if i please. i will make you my altar, ill out you above everything else in this world, ill revel in every morsel you are made of."
like how am i supposed to move on from that.
"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."
the response to this was so funny lol
"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."
UGH i was screaming finally when this was said!!!
-
WE HAVE A TITLE LADIES AND GENTS AND THEYS!!! i never would’ve guessed the title tbh lolol
-
i will come for you if my babies don’t get a happy ending😭😭😭 for ALL my babies🥹
guys i don't what to say.
this was so good and i dont have anymore adjectives in me to describe how much i love this book. like it was perfection, and of course some may disagree but its ok to be wrong!
honestly, i wont oppose to an extended epilogue of everyones stories once more bc lowk i though 545 pages were too much but babes tell me why i needed more than that when i was nearing the end. BUT chloe put me through so much with this book lmaoooo
i personally have never loved a sequel more, like this was perfection. PERFECTION. i was so immersed in this book i was thinking about her 24/7 like i couldnt stop reading. even though i love FLF, that book took me like 2 weeks to read, this didnt even take me a week AND i think its thicker than FLF. there were no plot holes (at least that i could find, but im not the greatest judge of character for that bc i cant remember shit), nothing was prolonged too much, and most importantly none of my fav characters died so win win overall!! and thats all i will say for now ◡̈ one of my fav books fs, i cant choose between FLF and FHH so theyre both #1 to me, theyre twins. anyways love yall, bye!
out of context spoilers below!
"I will love you if i please. i will make you my altar, ill out you above everything else in this world, ill revel in every morsel you are made of."
like how am i supposed to move on from that.
"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."
the response to this was so funny lol
"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."
UGH i was screaming finally when this was said!!!
-
WE HAVE A TITLE LADIES AND GENTS AND THEYS!!! i never would’ve guessed the title tbh lolol
-
i will come for you if my babies don’t get a happy ending😭😭😭 for ALL my babies🥹
Want to read
February 28, 2023genuinely apologizing for the annoying cunt im gonna be when this book comes out
March 28, 2024
★★★★☆ - 4.5 stars
read from march 13-15 2024
- wow! chloe gong, i wasn’t expecting you to end it so nicely! i can actually sleep soundly now.
- this was the last book i have read in the secret shanghai series. while it was a pretty short journey, i enjoyed every minute. all of these characters have a special place in my heart, and i really hope that this isn’t the very end.
- this book was overall really good and it gave me the closure i needed! but i feel like there could’ve been more. something was lacking and i’m not sure exactly what…
- but first, the characters. rosalind lang is the main character of this series, and she is just such a perfect lead. she is independent, calculating, badass, and still feels very strongly for others. there was really nothing to dislike about her! i loved the relationships she formed with the other characters.
- rosalind overall is just a super sweet and enjoyable character to read about. i have learned that every side character deserves a chance.
- orion put me through so much in this book! “who are you?” - that killed me. i was dreading the amnesia trope, but he still managed to act so cute with memory loss. the way he fell in love with rosalind all over again had my heart melting. he was so adorably confused the whole time and i loved seeing the innocent, childlike side of orion.
”Even if the memories don’t come back, I’m still going to love you again.”
- when the memories finally came back, i expected it to be more climactic, but i was still excited no matter what! he is the kindest, silliest, and cutest character ever. so glad he got his happy ending.
He had the heart of gold. She was the cataclysmic mess.
♪ i don’t wanna live forever…i just wanna keep calling your name, until you come back home.
- even while orion was suffering from the experiments, we still had every bit of oliver. the way he goes around calling celia “sweetheart” so casually is insanely hot. i’m so obsessed with this man.
- celia was fine. she had some good development. i wanted a little more from her, but she was by no means a bad character. i loved her relationship with rosalind at the end.
They could fall apart and split onto sides at two different ends of the universe, but they would still find their way back. There was nothing that could truly pull them apart.
- silas and phoebe were cute, but oh my gosh! it took them forever to quit acting like idiots. phoebe messed with him way too much. and then the mutual betrayal? that just complicated things even more!
♪ it’s always 1 step forward, and 3 steps back.
- all poor silas wanted from the beginning were for his feelings to be validated and reciprocated. he’s just a guy in love! have some mercy, phoebe!
♪ i won’t fight for love if you won’t meet me halfway…all i want is love that lasts, is all i want too much too ask?
- things finally came together and they obviously fell in love. did it take a little too long? yes. but i’m happy for them. they didn’t have many scenes though. :(
- now, the plot. to be honest, the plot was a little..messy? i liked so many parts of it, especially the scheming they all did together. but as for the action i was expecting? i mean, there was some action at points, but not as much as I expected. the first 350 pages were a little slow. it took the plot a lot longer to build in this one and there weren’t as many plot twists as i expected. i was hoping for this to be super epic and jaw-dropping, but the only times my jaw dropped was when benedikt and marshall finally arrived or when roma and juliette came to save the day. (yes, i’m obsessed with all of them.)
- i was still so invested in the story at the end, but then i turn the page and it’s already the epilogue?? when i tell you i was shocked, i literally could not believe it. it came out of nowhere! i wanted more from the other characters. we for sure got enough from the rosalind and orion, but what about roma, juliette, Benedict, marshall, alisa? you’re telling me this is the last book in the whole universe and my favorite characters only get a brief mention in the epilogue?
- i am a full on benmarsh stan, and i was so mad when they didn’t get more page time! the novella was not enough!!
- but anyway, i love happy endings. i love endings that, instead of making me throw my book, i hug it close to my chest. that sounds insanely sappy, but it’s the only way i can describe it.
- so, i would definitely not say the plot was bad, at no point was i actually bored. it was still interesting and i loved the characters!! i just wished it could’ve been a little more epic, you know?
- i mostly went over everything i have to say. i am so obsessed with this set of characters and this setting! it’s really hard to say a proper goodbye, but this is one of my favorite universes/series. i urge everyone to immediately check these books out! gorgeously written with such well-thought out plots.
read from march 13-15 2024
- wow! chloe gong, i wasn’t expecting you to end it so nicely! i can actually sleep soundly now.
- this was the last book i have read in the secret shanghai series. while it was a pretty short journey, i enjoyed every minute. all of these characters have a special place in my heart, and i really hope that this isn’t the very end.
- this book was overall really good and it gave me the closure i needed! but i feel like there could’ve been more. something was lacking and i’m not sure exactly what…
- but first, the characters. rosalind lang is the main character of this series, and she is just such a perfect lead. she is independent, calculating, badass, and still feels very strongly for others. there was really nothing to dislike about her! i loved the relationships she formed with the other characters.
- rosalind overall is just a super sweet and enjoyable character to read about. i have learned that every side character deserves a chance.
- orion put me through so much in this book! “who are you?” - that killed me. i was dreading the amnesia trope, but he still managed to act so cute with memory loss. the way he fell in love with rosalind all over again had my heart melting. he was so adorably confused the whole time and i loved seeing the innocent, childlike side of orion.
”Even if the memories don’t come back, I’m still going to love you again.”
- when the memories finally came back, i expected it to be more climactic, but i was still excited no matter what! he is the kindest, silliest, and cutest character ever. so glad he got his happy ending.
He had the heart of gold. She was the cataclysmic mess.
♪ i don’t wanna live forever…i just wanna keep calling your name, until you come back home.
- even while orion was suffering from the experiments, we still had every bit of oliver. the way he goes around calling celia “sweetheart” so casually is insanely hot. i’m so obsessed with this man.
- celia was fine. she had some good development. i wanted a little more from her, but she was by no means a bad character. i loved her relationship with rosalind at the end.
They could fall apart and split onto sides at two different ends of the universe, but they would still find their way back. There was nothing that could truly pull them apart.
- silas and phoebe were cute, but oh my gosh! it took them forever to quit acting like idiots. phoebe messed with him way too much. and then the mutual betrayal? that just complicated things even more!
♪ it’s always 1 step forward, and 3 steps back.
- all poor silas wanted from the beginning were for his feelings to be validated and reciprocated. he’s just a guy in love! have some mercy, phoebe!
♪ i won’t fight for love if you won’t meet me halfway…all i want is love that lasts, is all i want too much too ask?
- things finally came together and they obviously fell in love. did it take a little too long? yes. but i’m happy for them. they didn’t have many scenes though. :(
- now, the plot. to be honest, the plot was a little..messy? i liked so many parts of it, especially the scheming they all did together. but as for the action i was expecting? i mean, there was some action at points, but not as much as I expected. the first 350 pages were a little slow. it took the plot a lot longer to build in this one and there weren’t as many plot twists as i expected. i was hoping for this to be super epic and jaw-dropping, but the only times my jaw dropped was when benedikt and marshall finally arrived or when roma and juliette came to save the day. (yes, i’m obsessed with all of them.)
- i was still so invested in the story at the end, but then i turn the page and it’s already the epilogue?? when i tell you i was shocked, i literally could not believe it. it came out of nowhere! i wanted more from the other characters. we for sure got enough from the rosalind and orion, but what about roma, juliette, Benedict, marshall, alisa? you’re telling me this is the last book in the whole universe and my favorite characters only get a brief mention in the epilogue?
- i am a full on benmarsh stan, and i was so mad when they didn’t get more page time! the novella was not enough!!
- but anyway, i love happy endings. i love endings that, instead of making me throw my book, i hug it close to my chest. that sounds insanely sappy, but it’s the only way i can describe it.
- so, i would definitely not say the plot was bad, at no point was i actually bored. it was still interesting and i loved the characters!! i just wished it could’ve been a little more epic, you know?
- i mostly went over everything i have to say. i am so obsessed with this set of characters and this setting! it’s really hard to say a proper goodbye, but this is one of my favorite universes/series. i urge everyone to immediately check these books out! gorgeously written with such well-thought out plots.
October 1, 2023
4 stars. With the kind of dramatics you'd expect from a Shakespeare retellings set in the covert world of 1930's Shanghai, Foul Heart Huntsman is an achingly romantic and action-packed curtain call of a finale.
April 1, 2024
INFINITY STARS ♾️
Nobody talk to me, I will be grieving over this series and these characters for the next 263946293628 years.
Nobody talk to me, I will be grieving over this series and these characters for the next 263946293628 years.
September 26, 2023
(had the wonderful privilege to read the arc! ♡)
to everyone who loves the secret shanghai universe like me, please hold on to your heart, foul heart huntsman is the best thing that you’ll ever behold this year.
this book did its part so well to conclude this stunning universe. i wouldn’t want it any other way! it involves so many exciting revelations, twists and turns, and answers we’ve all been waiting for. i love how it focuses mainly on what it means to being a family, blood or not. i’m excited for everyone to finally get a glimpse of rosalindorion’s growth in their relationship, as well as olivercelia’s and phoebesilas’s! additionally, chloe gong did a great job at putting importance to romajuliette and benmars even at the sidelines (as they didn’t steal the thunder of the main characters in the book, but had impact all the same). overall, every single one of the character’s involvement were planned really well and also gave each and every one their deserved development and their moment to shine!
the plot itself is already intriguing, but for me, what really MADE this book are the characters themselves. it is the way they flowed in the story that kept me reading. it’s more of “what will they do next?” more than “what would happen next?”. it really is an avengers assemble of the secret shanghai universe, and chloe gong did it perfectly.
as an avid lover of this series, especially to my rosalindorion, i really enjoyed this book. i hope everyone who’ll read it on september would too!
fortune, my precious girl.
huntsman, my darling boy.
high tide, you changed me for good. ♡
a solid 5/5! 🥺🩷✨
to everyone who loves the secret shanghai universe like me, please hold on to your heart, foul heart huntsman is the best thing that you’ll ever behold this year.
this book did its part so well to conclude this stunning universe. i wouldn’t want it any other way! it involves so many exciting revelations, twists and turns, and answers we’ve all been waiting for. i love how it focuses mainly on what it means to being a family, blood or not. i’m excited for everyone to finally get a glimpse of rosalindorion’s growth in their relationship, as well as olivercelia’s and phoebesilas’s! additionally, chloe gong did a great job at putting importance to romajuliette and benmars even at the sidelines (as they didn’t steal the thunder of the main characters in the book, but had impact all the same). overall, every single one of the character’s involvement were planned really well and also gave each and every one their deserved development and their moment to shine!
the plot itself is already intriguing, but for me, what really MADE this book are the characters themselves. it is the way they flowed in the story that kept me reading. it’s more of “what will they do next?” more than “what would happen next?”. it really is an avengers assemble of the secret shanghai universe, and chloe gong did it perfectly.
as an avid lover of this series, especially to my rosalindorion, i really enjoyed this book. i hope everyone who’ll read it on september would too!
fortune, my precious girl.
huntsman, my darling boy.
high tide, you changed me for good. ♡
a solid 5/5! 🥺🩷✨
October 31, 2023
after reading foul heart huntsman i have learned six things:
1) the midnight rain x daylight “cause he was sunshine i was midnight rain. and i can still see it all (in my mind) all of you, all of me (intertwined). i once believed love could be (black and white) but it’s golden (golden)” audio has orion and rosalind written ALL. OVER. IT.
2) orion hong is one dramatic, over-the-top motherfucker and i adore him for it
3) celia saying the sentence “i should have absorbed you in the womb” to her triplet rosalind was the funniest and simultaneously the most intimidating shit i’ve ever heard
4) i will read anything chloe gong writes
5) there is a rosalind, orion, oliver, celia, alisa, phoebe, and silas shaped void in my heart and now i feel empty
6) there is a very strong urge to re-read already
1) the midnight rain x daylight “cause he was sunshine i was midnight rain. and i can still see it all (in my mind) all of you, all of me (intertwined). i once believed love could be (black and white) but it’s golden (golden)” audio has orion and rosalind written ALL. OVER. IT.
2) orion hong is one dramatic, over-the-top motherfucker and i adore him for it
3) celia saying the sentence “i should have absorbed you in the womb” to her triplet rosalind was the funniest and simultaneously the most intimidating shit i’ve ever heard
4) i will read anything chloe gong writes
5) there is a rosalind, orion, oliver, celia, alisa, phoebe, and silas shaped void in my heart and now i feel empty
6) there is a very strong urge to re-read already
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