gardens_and_dragons's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I really enjoyed this. The prose was great, as Gong’s work usually is. Loved the Shakespearean drama set in 1930s Shanghai, this time with assassins and spies instead of rival gang war. The spy movie tropes were honestly really well done to where there was enough mystery there, but you can pick things up if you are paying attention.
I loved Rosalind and Orion’s bickering and their slow burn rival spies into romance. It made the twist at the end even better tbh.
I loved Rosalind and Orion’s bickering and their slow burn rival spies into romance. It made the twist at the end even better tbh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
bloodmaarked's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
foul lady fortune outsold these violent delights and our violent ends, sorry!
✧ full review on my tumblr ✧
✧ full review on my tumblr ✧
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Colonisation, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Medical content, Stalking, and Gun violence
chronicacademia's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Blood, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, Torture, Violence, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Medical trauma, and Physical abuse
teddy_books's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and War
Minor: Transphobia
readsbymoonlight's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
clairehreads22's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I met Chloe Gong in October 2022 and got to hear her discuss this book then. Fast forward to January, my mom and I started reading it. Due to busy schedules on both ends, we rarely read any. But now on summer break, we knocked it out!!
This book was amazing!!! I love Chloe Gong’s writing especially her use of imagery. She also makes her characters so charming and lovable. The little Taylor Swift references throughout were as some would say enchanting, hehe!!
I cannot wait for Foul Heart Huntsman!!
Spoiler
Orion and Rosalind …. I LOVE THEM!!! I loved their gradual love story. Chloe Gong, no words for that cliffhanger :/
Oliver was sus to me the whole time
Love Alisa and her getting some badass moments!!!
I did not expect who was the killer, behind the chemical experiments, Priest’s identity, and Dao Feng’a betrayal!!! I am still shook. I went back to read the beginning of the book and it was foreshadowed though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Murder and War
aklovekorn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Racism, Death, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual harassment, Violence, Xenophobia, Drug abuse, Blood, and Gun violence
julierambaeck's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really liked this one, and I love the world. The representation in this is also amazing, and I really love the characters, and how they put aside their differences to fight a mutual enemy.
The twist I did not see coming. I love the way Gong builds atmosphere and creates relationships!
The twist I did not see coming. I love the way Gong builds atmosphere and creates relationships!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
vagorsol's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Gun violence and Death
Content warning for Mind control, programming, and dehumanization (within the MC).hannahcomer4d's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
This book was such a fun romp through a time period and place I know very little about. I enjoyed the characters, the pacing, and the themes. It's not just a spy thriller--it goes beyond the mission and into the reasons *why* people are making the choices they are.
A couple of downsides:
I wanted more Shakespeare references. So little related to *As You Like It* that it almost felt unnecessary to link the two stories.
Priest was built up as this big deal of a character, but then Priest seemed completely uninvolved in the plot. Did Priest ever really do much of anything?
Both of these things, though, could be easily resolved in the sequel. I'm eagerly awaiting more!
A couple of downsides:
I wanted more Shakespeare references. So little related to *As You Like It* that it almost felt unnecessary to link the two stories.
Priest was built up as this big deal of a character, but then Priest seemed completely uninvolved in the plot. Did Priest ever really do much of anything?
Both of these things, though, could be easily resolved in the sequel. I'm eagerly awaiting more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: War and Murder