Book Review: Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong

‘Foul Lady Fortune’ by Chloe Gong is a second series set in the same timeline as her previous works, ‘These Violent Delights’ and ‘Our Violent Ends’. It was published in 2022 and follows the story of Rosalind Lang, a supporting character in her previous books, as she embarks on her own journey, having been branded a traitor to the Scarlet Gang.

After betraying the Scarlet Gang, Rosalind contracts scarlet fever and is gravely ill. A fellow supporting character, Lourens, a former White Flower, who was considered a mad scientist, gives Rosalind an injection that subsequently saved her life, and inadvertently changed her body into something other. She no longer requires food or sleep, and her body, despite registering pain, can heal from most injuries, at an accelerated rate.

This book looks deeper into the political upheaval that took place immediately after the conclusion of ‘Our Violent Ends’, exploring friction between Nationalists, Communists, the West, and the Japanese. With the Scarlets having latched onto the Nationalists, Rosalind finds herself an assassin as a means to an end. ‘Foul Lady Fortune’ tells the story of her newest mission, working in tandem with Orion Hong, a character whose father was mentioned several times in passing in previous books, in order to infiltrate a publication of interest: Seagreen Press. In order to work at the company and conspire, the pair have to marry, feigning a romantic relationship. A forced-proximity novel that delved into Rosalind’s trauma after her betrayal of the Scarlet Gang and her relationship with Dimitri Voronin, and him abandoning her. She doesn’t think she deserves love. She doesn’t think she’s worthy of it after all she’s done, and that her supposed immortality is a penance for the crimes she committed against Shanghai, and her family.

I loved meeting new characters, like Orion, his brother Oliver, and his sister Phoebe. They have a familiar dynamic that readers can latch onto, a younger sister that wants to help her brothers succeed at work is reminiscent of Alisa Montagova in the previous books. I liked how, although Phoebe and the younger Alisa have similar traits, Phoebe is far more hands-on and willing to get her hands dirty. She plays the long con and wades into trouble, almost as if she’s impervious to danger.

Meanwhile, Alisa had grown up and learned that not only was Seagreen Press a place of interest for the Nationalists, but also the Communists. Her previous rapport, four years prior, with Rosalind means that the two, despite supposedly being on opposite sides, are kindred spirits, that found their feet in the only places that would have them. Their core values remained unchanged, despite everything. Truly, seeing how Alisa in particular, had grown from being the jewel of the White Flowers’ gang, hiding away in hollow walls, rooftops, and rafters, spying on her father and reporting to her brother, to having to utilise those same skills to stay alive. Childhood curiosity turned to desperation. The White Flowers, who had supposedly allied with the Communists, were considered enemies of Shanghai and thus, Alisa Montagova, was no more. It was sad and incredibly compelling.

Furthermore, the way that Orion and Rosalind’s relationship developed from acquaintances and colleagues, to professing their fondness, attraction, and love for each other. It was immensely gratifying to watch Rosalind traverse that narrative arc. It was very rewarding.

And that ending – wow – it was fantastic! I loved the twist and the breadcrumbs that alluded to the next books in Chloe Gong’s extended universe. The second I finished it, I went and pre-ordered ‘Foul Heart Huntsman’, and promptly opened my copy of ‘Last Violent Call’.