Where to Start with Chloe Gong's Books
If you are new to Chloe Gong's lush, high-stakes fantasy worlds, the best place to start is with her sensational debut novel, These Violent Delights. As a 1920s Shanghai-set reimagining of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, this book lays the groundwork for her first major literary universe. While you might be tempted to jump straight into her spin-offs or newer adult fantasy releases, starting at the very beginning of her publication history ensures you avoid major spoilers and fully appreciate the character growth and world-building.
The Secret Shanghai Universe
The Secret Shanghai universe is Chloe Gong’s most famous setting. It blends historical details of early 20th-century China with supernatural plagues, political intrigue, and deadly gang rivalries. It is divided into two main duologies and a bridging novella collection. According to the author's official website, these books should ideally be read in order of release to preserve the overarching story arc.
1. The These Violent Delights Duology
This is where the magic begins. Set in 1920s Shanghai, the story follows Juliette Cai, the heir of the Scarlet Gang, and Roma Montagov, the heir of the rival White Flowers gang. Once lovers, they are now sworn enemies forced to work together when a mysterious, monster-driven madness threatens to tear their city apart.
- These Violent Delights (2020) – The first novel introducing Juliette, Roma, and the tense political landscape of Shanghai.
- Our Violent Ends (2021) – The dramatic conclusion to the initial duology, where gang warfare and the monster threat reach their peak.
2. The Foul Lady Fortune Duology
Set four years after the events of the first duology, this series shifts the focus to 1930s Shanghai under the threat of Japanese invasion. The story centers on Rosalind Lang, a character introduced in the first duology who has been made immortal and now works as an assassin and spy. Inspired by Shakespeare's As You Like It, this duology blends historical espionage with sci-fi and fantasy elements.
- Foul Lady Fortune (2022) – Rosalind is paired with another spy, Orion Hong, for an undercover mission posing as a married couple to investigate a series of strange murders.
- Foul Heart Huntsman (2023) – The explosive finale where Rosalind must rescue her partner and defend her home against encroaching forces.
3. Last Violent Call: The Crucial Novellas
Published in early 2023, Last Violent Call is a collection containing two novellas: A Foul Thing and This Foul Murder. These novellas follow Roma and Juliette, who are now living under assumed names in the countryside, as they get pulled back into the chaotic events of the espionage war. Although it is listed as book 3.5, it serves as the crucial bridge between the events of Foul Lady Fortune and Foul Heart Huntsman. Reading it before the final book is highly recommended to understand where key characters are and how they interact in the finale.
Secret Shanghai: Publication vs. Chronological Order
For the Secret Shanghai universe, the chronological order matches the publication order very closely. The only slight difference is whether you read the novellas in Last Violent Call before or after Foul Lady Fortune. The absolute best way to experience the saga is as follows:
- These Violent Delights (2020)
- Our Violent Ends (2021)
- Foul Lady Fortune (2022)
- Last Violent Call (2023) – Crucial novellas bridging the two main duologies.
- Foul Heart Huntsman (2023) – The grand finale of the Secret Shanghai series.
While you can technically read the Foul Lady Fortune duology on its own, it features major spoilers for the resolution of These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends, so reading them in order is strongly recommended.
Flesh & False Gods Series
If you are looking for something geared towards an older audience, Chloe Gong's adult fantasy debut begins with the Flesh & False Gods trilogy. Inspired by Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, this series is set in Talin, a gritty, neon-lit fantasy world featuring dangerous, gladiatorial games and political power struggles.
- Immortal Longings (2023) – Introduces Calla Tuoleimi, an exiled princess seeking vengeance, and Anton Makusa, a hot-tempered exile. They enter a deadly set of trials where contestants must jump from body to body to survive.
- Vilest Things (2024) – The dark second installment where the stakes of the empire rise, forcing characters to navigate betrayal and shifting alliances.
- Eyes of Kings (Expected August 4, 2026) – The anticipated conclusion to the trilogy, wrapping up the struggle for the throne of Talin.
The StrangeLoom Trilogy
Venturing into futuristic science fiction, Chloe Gong's latest project is the StrangeLoom Trilogy. This is a dystopian cyberpunk series focusing on political rebellion, cybernetics, and young characters fighting a corrupt system in a high-tech city.
- Coldwire (2025) – The first book in the trilogy, introducing a fast-paced cyberpunk setting filled with hackers, corporate control, and high-tech street fights.
- Deadlock (Expected November 17, 2026) – The second installment, continuing the rebel struggle against the city's power structures.
Anthologies and Shorter Contributions
In addition to her primary novels, Chloe Gong has contributed several short stories to popular young adult anthologies, as well as essays on writing:
- The Gathering Dark: An Anthology of Folk Horror (2022) – Contains Gong's short story "The Tallest Poppy", about a young nanny dealing with sinister events in a haunted house.
- Eternally Yours (2022) – Features her paranormal romance story "A Thousand More", exploring immortal lovers across lifetimes.
- Writing in Color (2023) – A non-fiction essay collection where Gong and other authors of color share advice and experiences in the publishing industry.
- Faeries Never Lie: Tales to Revel In (2024) – Includes her faerie-themed story "An Eternal Fire".
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving in, keep in mind that Chloe Gong’s YA novels (the Secret Shanghai books) contain substantial romance and character-driven drama mixed with darker elements like violence, political instability, and body horror. Her adult fantasy series (Flesh & False Gods) contains much more mature themes, explicit scenes, and a significantly grittier atmosphere than her YA work. Whichever series you choose, you can expect gorgeous prose, intense star-crossed romances, and rich, atmospheric world-building inspired by classical drama and her Chinese heritage.