Chloe Gong's Foul Lady Fortune melds twisty espionage with historical intrigue, capturing readers with its vibrant Shanghai setting and compelling characters. The novel's pace is brisk, though some felt the plot occasionally convoluted. Gong's vivid writing receives praise, yet character development divides opinion. Overall, it intrigues and entertains.

A reader who enjoys Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong likely appreciates action-packed young adult fiction set in richly detailed historical contexts. Similar to fans of These Violent Delights and Six of Crows, they relish intricate plots, strong heroines, and immersive world-building with political intrigue and romance.

In Foul Lady Fortune, Rosalind Lang, a Nationalist assassin in 1931 Shanghai, is paired with Orion Hong to infiltrate a Japanese press and thwart a chemical plot that creates super soldiers. As they unravel complex espionage, shifting alliances, and personal redemption, their relationship evolves amidst political turmoil and danger. The novel explores themes of identity, loyalty, and patriotism.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Dark / Emotional / Romantic

- Foul Lady Fortune is Chloe Gong's spin on the "immortal assassin" trope, set in 1930s Shanghai and inspired by the turbulent historical period and vibrant city life.
- The book integrates elements of classic Chinese mythology and Shakespearean lore, a signature style of Chloe Gong also seen in her previous works.
- Chloe Gong's writing in Foul Lady Fortune is heavily influenced by her personal background as a Chinese-New Zealander, offering a unique blend of Eastern and Western narrative traditions.

**Rosalind Lang**  
A young Chinese woman living in 1931 Shanghai with unique abilities that include being impervious to injury and not aging, working under the alias Lady Fortune as an assassin for the Nationalist party.

**Orion Hong**  
An attractive playboy and Nationalist spy, he is the son of a military leader and develops a close bond with Rosalind when they are paired for a mission.

**Alisa “Liza” Montagova**  
A teenage Russian Communist agent with a history intertwined with Rosalind; works on a surveillance mission in Shanghai’s media scene.

**Phoebe Hong**  
Orion’s precocious teenage sister who often involves herself in his spying activities and uncovers vital information with her partner, Silas.

**Silas Wu**  
A young spy and double agent, known for his devotion to Phoebe and his role in supporting her espionage efforts.

**Celia Lang**  
Rosalind’s younger sister, who identifies as female and works with the Communists, balances her loyalty between her sister and her partner, Oliver.

**Oliver Hong**  
Orion's elder brother and a Communist agent, who distrusts his family and is involved in secretive operations against the backdrop of political upheaval.

**Dao Feng**  
Rosalind’s handler and father figure within the Nationalist party, with deep experience in espionage and training assassins.

**Lao Lao**  
The grandmotherly owner of Rosalind’s apartment building who is also a Nationalist agent, capable of brewing antidotes and supportive of Rosalind.

**General Hong**  
Orion and Oliver’s father, whose trial for treason casts a shadow over the family and whose actions have lasting political consequences.

**Lady Hong**  
A scientist and Orion’s mother, she is involved in chemical experiments aimed at developing an army of super-soldiers with shifting political allegiances.

**Jiemin**  
A file clerk and Rosalind’s boss at Seagreen Press, who becomes her new handler after the departure of Dao Feng, prioritizing Nationalist party loyalty.

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