Tag Archives: Espionage

YA – Foul Heart Huntsman

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Gong, Chloe. Foul Heart Huntsman. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2023. 978-1-665-90561-9. $21.99. 560 p. Grades 9-12.

It’s 1932 in Shanghai. Rosalind Lang, also known by her code name Lady Fortune, has been exposed. As an immortal assassin, she had a purpose, and she had her missions. Now, she has nothing. Orion, her mission partner who posed as her husband, has been taken by his mother and his mind is now fully under her control. Although their marriage was only a ruse, her feelings for him were not, and she sets off on a new mission to find him and bring him home, even with an impending attack from Japan looming over her every move. With the help of Orion’s sister, Phoebe, who is an agent herself; her ally Alisa Montagova; and her sister, Celia, Rosalind encounters many dangers and ghosts from her past on her journey to save Orion, but she’s determined to find him, no matter the cost.

THOUGHTS: This novel brings the Foul Lady Fortune duology to an end. Based on Shakespeare’s As You Like It, Foul Heart Huntsman is a continuation of Gong’s These Violent Delights, and I would advise readers to start with that series before reading this one. The book is equal parts science fiction, fantasy, action, espionage, and romance in an alternate, historical setting. The series as a whole features diverse and LGBTQ+ characters, and readers will love the reunion scenes between all characters in Gong’s Secret Shanghai world.

Fantasy

YA – Stars and Smoke

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Lu, Marie. Stars and Smoke. Roaring Brook Press, 2023. 978-1-250-85281-6. $19.99. 336 p. Grades 9-12.

Winter Young is the world’s most famous pop superstar. At 19, he has the world at his feet. Everyone wants to attend one of his concerts, and although he has worked hard to get where he is, he’s still not completely happy with his life and can’t shake the feeling that he should be doing something more. When Winter is recruited into a mission to take down a notorious crime boss by performing at his daughter’s birthday party, he accepts and finds himself paired up with Sydney Cossette, a spy who will be acting as his bodyguard. Sydney has no time for Winter’s stardom or charm, but as the mission becomes more dangerous, they must work together to achieve their goal, and soon, Sydney begins to realize there is a lot more to Winter Young than his fame and looks.

THOUGHTS: This was certainly a change from Marie Lu’s typical science fiction novels. I’m a huge fan of her books, and although I liked this one, I felt like it wasn’t enough story for me, and maybe that was done on purpose to make sure I pick up book two (which I will be doing!). I’d recommend this one to readers who like realistic fiction, love stories, and pop music since the main character, Winter Young, is the world’s biggest superstar. The espionage and action will keep readers hooked along with the slow burn romance between the two main characters. It would be a great addition to any Taylor Swift displays as well!

Realistic Fiction