Pages: 507
Published: 27th September 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy
Content warnings: Injury detail
It’s 1931 in Shanghai, and the stage is set for a new decade of intrigue.
Four years ago, Rosalind Lang was brought back from the brink of death, but the strange experiment that saved her also stopped her from sleeping and aging—and allows her to heal from any wound. In short, Rosalind cannot die. Now, desperate for redemption from her traitorous past, she uses her abilities as an assassin for her country.
Code name: Fortune.
But when the Japanese Imperial Army begins its invasion march, Rosalind’s mission pivots. A series of murders is causing unrest in Shanghai, and the Japanese are under suspicion. Rosalind’s new orders are to infiltrate foreign society and identify the culprits behind the terror plot before more of her people are killed.
To reduce suspicion, however, she must pose as the wife of another Nationalist spy, Orion Hong, and though Rosalind finds Orion’s cavalier attitude and playboy demeanor infuriating, she is willing to work with him for the greater good. But Orion has an agenda of his own, and Rosalind has secrets that she wants to keep buried. As they both attempt to unravel the conspiracy, the two spies soon find that there are deeper and more horrifying layers to this mystery than they ever imagined.
This first part of a new duology reunites you with a world full of compelling political debauchery and characters whose fierce intensity encircles you in their shimmering spell, all inspired by the works and wisdoms of Shakespeare. Intricately yet thrillingly plotted, and with a remarkable level of detail from start to finish, it represents a fantastic feat of literature that has all the atmosphere and authenticity to go with it.
Anyone who loved the These Violent Delights duology has nothing to fear here, as the writing is just as brilliant; the story is just as engrossing, and several of the main characters return or are at least referenced. Once again it is primarily historical fiction with more than a hint of fantasy, containing a whole host of intriguing concepts which provide the basis for arresting plot points and unexpected twists.
Four years on from the illness known as the madness that swept Shanghai and the uprising that spelt the end of gang rule in the city, Rosalind Lang is now working as a secret agent. She has not aged a single day in that time, having been injected with a vaccine that heals wounds and makes her incapable of sleeping. Officially declared dead, she now goes by the name Janie Mead although stories of her powers have led her to become known as Fortune.
Shanghai is currently locked in a raging battle between the Nationalist followers of the Kuomintang and the Communists, while tensions are also escalating with Japan. When Rosalind is assigned to her next mission by her handler Dao Feng, she is introduced to Orion Hong, a Nationalist agent whose brother is among the enemy ranks. Rosalind and Orion are to pose as a married couple and infiltrate Seagreen Press, a printing company linked to several mysterious recent deaths involving a chemical substance.
As she begins her mission, Rosalind has to work harder than ever to conceal her identity, not only to maintain her cover at Seagreen Press but also to prevent Orion and his associates knowing who she really is. It soon becomes clear that any one of her new colleagues could be undercover agents for the other side, and as the deaths and conspiracies continue, she and Orion’s investigation leads them into numerous life-threatening situations.
The first thing to say about the plot is that it is highly complex, with various strands delicately woven alongside each other with considerable skill. There is a tonne of information to take in and the pacing does admittedly suffer at times, but then again it is never anything other than absolutely gripping, as the unfolding events and ongoing mysteries keep you on the edge of your seat.
It has suspense in spades, helped along by the political situation and the fact that despite her near-immortal existence, Rosalind has so much to lose if she makes even one wrong move. The chemical killings act as the centrepiece of the plot, but there is so much more happening around that which is all very significant, moving the mission another step further and providing tiny glimpses towards certain characters and their motives.
While all this is happening, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the story is the dynamic between Rosalind and Orion. Their differing personalities mean the fact they are posing as husband and wife creates a lot of potential, and as such there is humour even when they are faced with dangerous predicaments, with Rosalind’s unyielding focus on the mission clashing with Orion’s laid-back demeanour. Despite the bickering, there are always signs of a brewing romance.
As it unfurls its many layers, the plot delivers some unexpected moments and rather tantalising cliffhangers, but it succeeds in keeping the answers well hidden until towards the end. Then comes the twist that you really do not see coming, putting a whole new and sinister complexion on the book, giving way to a suitably dramatic showdown at the end. Even after that you are expecting a further revelation in the epilogue, and that does not disappoint either.
Like in the previous duology, the entire novel is written in the third person past tense. It mainly concentrates on Rosalind as the main perspective, but also switches frequently with Orion and more intermittently with other characters who are just as fascinating. These include Rosalind’s sister Celia and the fantastic Alisa, along with Orion’s own younger sister Phoebe.
Rosalind makes a seamless transition from being a supporting character to the main protagonist. She is an analytical thinker; no-nonsense in her approach to the mission and ruthless when she has to be, but what makes you connect with her most is how the writing allows you to experience the story with her, sharing all the same curiosities. Her healing powers add further intrigue, and there is also the sense that she continues to feel the weight of her past mistakes.
The thing about Orion is that he could so easily have been a cliché due to his flirtatious manner and general swagger that he exhibits when we first meet him, but instead he is altogether more nuanced than that, and he turns out to be a much more tragic character than you might expect. His brother Oliver is much more serious about his cause but also fairly evasive and we find out relatively little about him, so hopefully he and Celia with have more of a role in the sequel.
It was a truly delightful moment when Alisa Montagova showed up for the first time in this book and began an entertaining alliance with Rosalind which itself was not without a few twists. Now an adult, she still has everything that made her so endearing during These Violent Delights. Then we have Phoebe, who has a smart answer to everything and is just as fun to read
The Shanghai setting is just as extraordinary as before, and with conflict tearing across it from all sides, the atmosphere feels slightly more hostile. Perhaps this is also because Rosalind is often being followed and strange deaths are occurring under the cover of darkness, while her role as a spy sees her having to tread carefully. There is such detail in all the descriptions, with the various cultures and languages portrayed across pockets of the city again bring wonderful diversity.
In the stories of Secret Shanghai, there is always the underlying presence of Shakespeare, and this time the plot is a subtle retelling of As You Like It. The outcome is something very evocative and original, although Chloe Gong could not resist shamelessly including the line, ‘All the world’s a stage’. All of that aside, the writing is impeccable and eloquent, making you hang on every single word.
Overall, this is a fabulous book which contains standout storytelling and such incredible depth in regards to the characters, setting, and the many elements of its plot. The pace may be too patient at times, but the intensity of it and quality of the writing makes you emotionally invested with minimal effort. There is so much to take in along the way, and it is a more than worthwhile ride.
Simply more evidence that I will love anything that Chloe Gong decides to write, and luckily there are lots more new releases to come. Atmospheric, intense, and dramatic – I loved it.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Stephen Reads Books 