3.5 stars !

I had the most difficult time to jump into this story. But once I did.... I could not stop! And I honestly can't wait to read the second book...

I love retellings and this one is so unique. All the original details are there, but presented in an unconventional way. I absolutely loved that.

Many thanks to the publisher for the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

These Violent Delights was an absolute delight to read (har har). Okay, maybe delight isn’t the right word, it was mildly terrifying with a bit of body horror (involving bugs, ergh) and a slow burn, second-chance romance that left me desperate for Roma and Juliette moments. Full of intrigue and political upheaval, this book was a fascinating take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet!

Chloe Gong’s 1920s Shanghai is riddled with violence, political turmoil, and an unnerving unknown monster haunting its dark alleys. The world building was definitely one of the best parts of this book, painting a vivid image of the landscape and its people. Honestly, some of the best world building I’ve ever come across – descriptions were lush and gritty, full of details that really put you in the setting, but without the heavy, dragging prose that often comes with it.

Every character had their moment to shine and I loved how in depth we get to know Roma and Juliette, as well as Kathleen, Benedikt, and Marshall. I hope we learn more about Rosalind in Our Violent Ends, as we get a bit of her inner turmoil, but not as much about her as a person. I especially loved the flashbacks between Roma and Juliette as they got to know each other, as well as their eventual fallout. I am so here for the lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers!

I read half of this as an audiobook and the other half in hardcover/eARC, and I have to say that the audiobook really helps set up the characters and the world building. The narrator provides the pronunciation for the Russian, Mandarin, and Shanghainese, and also delivers the dialogue so well that I felt more connected with the characters than I did while reading the hardcover/eARC (though by then I already loved them, I just wanted to read faster lol, the end really threw me for a loop).

As a whole, I loved the mystery, the characters, the world, the suspense and I can’t wait to read more in Our Violent Ends!

TW: Blood, violence, gore, character deaths, explicit description of gouging self (not of their own volition), murder, weapon use, insects, alcohol consumption, parental abuse

Rep: Chinese-coded characters, Chinese own voice author

Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 5/5
GoodReads Rating: 4.02/5

eARC gifted via NetGalley by Margaret K. McElderry via Simon and Schuster in exchange for an honest review.

DNF

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into this story. I found myself unmotivated to pick it up and just couldn’t find any connection with the characters or their plotlines and relationship.

Chloe does have beautiful descriptions for settings and action! I’ll definitely be on the lookout for any new releases by her in the future. Thank you for the opportunity to read this one!

Oh I LOVED this book. I think this book is such a fun and fresh fantasy take on Romeo and Juliet. Simon & Schuster gave me an e-ARC of this and I absolutely destroyed it. This is an absolutely phenomenal novel, and it blows my mind that it's a debut by such a young author. Chloe Gong really did THAT

In this book we're in Shanghai in 1926, caught in the middle of a blood feud between to rival gangs. Juliet Cai, heir of the Scarlet Gang is at the heart of our story, along with Roma Montagov, the heir of the White Flowers. From forbidden love to betrayal and heartbreak, Roma and Juliet must come together to help combat a contagion that is sweeping their city. They must put their differences and past aside to stop the mayhem.

Juliet and Roma are very clearly Romeo and Juliet, characters that have are forbidden from each other because of their families. But this take on the characters is so much grittier and darker. Both characters have ruthlessly murdered, and have been through hell and experienced loss. Though set in the 1920's in Shanghai, I found both of these characters easy to relate to, and extremely well written. I understood their motivations, and their actions.

The sickness that has taken over Shanghai is done so well. I found it so compelling, as they fought to figure out what was happening, and who was ultimately behind so many deaths. Like I mentioned, this book is very well written. The plot always made sense, and kept me interested at every turn. The end of this book was absolutely INSANE and I cannot wait for book two already!

Overall I really enjoyed this. I think it was incredibly well done, and a really refreshing take on Romeo and Juliet. Is Shakespeare super overrated? Yes, 100%. Do we need more reimaginings of his work? Honestly if they're this well done, yes PLEASE. Reimagining a story and making it into an icnredible novel takes such skill, and that skill is so clearly represented here!

We interviewed Chloe Gong on the podcast (see Season 5 Episode 2), and talked about the book in the latest episode (see Season 5 Episode 3) and in an upcoming one (see Season 5 Episode 4). We're fans of the book and look forward to the sequel, Our Violent Ends.

I usually love morally grey characters but this time their point of view was so distant and impersonal that it made it difficult to get invested. It took a long time before I finally got to know the two main characters well enough to form a connection. Once I did however, I found myself really enjoying Juliette’s ruthlessness and Roma’s cunning. The tension between them was a lot of fun and I just love seeing enemies have to work together on a common goal. I really liked Juliettes cousin Kathleen and her unwavering loyalty. Shes so calm and level headed I hope we get to learn more about her in the sequel. Roma’s two best friends were practically opposites but I could definitely tell they had some hidden romantic feelings for one another. I need to see them end up together.

The plot was centered around trying to uncover the source of the mysterious madness sweeping through the city. The rumors of a deadly creature dwelling in the river had me really excited since I love the danger monsters add to the plot. There was also a nice amount of danger of being caught working together. The death of so many of their people along with the madness attacking one of their loved ones made me invested in seeing them end the madness. It did get a little repetitive after a while but the end was really exciting and definitely worth pushing through the slow pacing in the middle. I actually didnt see the reveals coming. It wrapped up nicely while still leaving some unanswered questions for the sequel.

I really felt like I was transported to 1920s Shanghai. On top of the blood feud between Juliettes Red Scarlett gang and Roma’s White Flower gang a communist revolution is brewing in the city. The fear of the madness, the high price of the vaccine and the low wages flaming the workers anger. Not knowing whether the monster was paranormal or scientific in nature added a compelling layer of mystery around the creature. The way it infects people and makes them tear out their own throats made my skin crawl in the best way possible. The sentences didnt have that smooth flow that makes it easy to binge for hours at a time, but it wasnt difficult to read either. Theres so much to love about this Romeo and Juliette reimagining I’m positive many people will enjoy it.

1926: Two rival gangs rule Shanghai: the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers. Juliette Cai is the heiress to the Scarlet Gang. She has just returned from America to resume her role in her father’s empire. Roma Montagov is the heir of the White Flowers. When members of both gangs are found with their throats torn out on the pier, Juliette and Roma have to put their past behind them and join together to investigate what is infecting the city.

Romeo and Juliet is my favourite Shakespeare play. I’ve read it many times, since my class performed it in elementary school. This story is a loose retelling. It doesn’t follow the story exactly, and there were some changes to the original story. Juliette’s and Roma’s families are rivals but they have to work together to figure out who is targeting their gangs, rather than just randomly falling in love and running away from their families.

I liked the little references to people and places from the original play. There was a character named Paul who liked Juliette. At one point, she refers to him as Paris, who was Juliet’s suitor in the play. Roma and Juliette go to a bar called Mantua, which is where Romeo was exiled to in the play. These references to the original play made me smile.

Some parts of this story were intense. The victims were literally tearing out their throats. There were creepy bugs and people being mysteriously infected with a condition that made them kill themselves. These were some disturbing scenes, but they also made the story intense and suspenseful.

This is a great fantasy adaptation of Romeo and Juliet! I can’t wait to read the next book.

Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of this book (I know it came out last year already 😅) from netgalley.
I really did not know what to expect going into this book and the author is working with a lot of moving parts in this story. Because of all those moving parts it took me awhile to get into the book and to understand what was happening. However, after being able to grasp the concept of the book I feel very impressed?¿ like somehow I feel like the concept the author has created of a Romeo and Juliet kind of retelling actually suits this setting very well! I also think the quote the author used for the title suits the book well.
I was super impressed with some of the imagery the author used in this book too, I found myself ruminating on or rereading certain passages.
Another thing I really enjoyed was all the real history that was steeped into a this book. All the different political parties and powers who are vying for control in this.
I really debated going up to 4 stars for this review but just because it took me a while to get into it I’m leaving it at 3 stars.
I still think this is a really fun book though and I would definitely recommend it (:

My Rating: 5/5 stars

My Review:

I received a digital ARC of this book from Simon and Schuster Canada in exchange for an honest review – thanks!

I honestly don’t know where to begin with my review of this book because I absolutely loved it. From the characters, to the plot, the prose, and the world that Gong has created, I adored every moment of reading this book. It was everything I could have wanted from a Romeo and Juliet retelling and that ending! How I am supposed to wait to know what comes next?

I’ll start with the characters first, because I think that they are something done extremely well in this book. None of the characters felt flat to me. The choice to write in an omnipotent third person prose was a really smart one (and done very well too I might add), it allowed connections to be made to almost all of the main cast. I especially enjoyed that it did not focus solely on the title characters, Juliette and Roma, as you might expect it to. Marshall, Benedikt, Kathleen, Rosalind, and others, all have a part in this story and I cannot wait to see how their character arcs turn in the next book.

Speaking of character names, I just have to point out how much my Shakespeare loving heart adored the subtle references to R&J throughout These Violent Delights. From character roles, to paraphrasing, and just literally every little detail in this book that ties it together as a R&J retelling, while still standing on its own just floors me. There was such a thrill for me as I began this and picked out which character was meant to parallel the other, and how the other character fit and filled in the gaps. It was such a great experience, especially for someone who absolutely adores this play to begin with.

This is a historical fiction book (yay!), and I really appreciate the way that this alternate world of 1920s Shanghai is built up on existing history and how it offers a nuanced perspective on the impact of European colonization in China. Through Juliette’s character, we also get glimpses into the reception of Chinese immigration in the United States. There is one quote in particular that I really loved, which for purposes of this review I won’t directly quote as I read an unfinished copy, which addresses this misconception of America as a land of dreams. I am not sure if this is meant to be a subtle reference to The Great Gatsby, but I think it offers a nudge in the direction of exploring the history of the twenties beyond the scope that is taught in North American history classes.

I could talk about TVD for hours and not tire of it, so I think I will leave my review at that. This book is beautiful, inside and out, and I sincerely hope that you will all pick it up at some point or another. You will not regret it.

These Violent Delights releases November 17th

I got about 20% in and just lost interest. I was really highly looking forward to this book. I will try to read it again another time, though.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong is publishing on Tuesday and it is the Romeo and Juliet retelling I did not know I needed. Thank you @simonschusterca for sending me a copy for an honest review.

These Violent Delights comes with a lot to content warnings for gore and violence. Please DM if you want some detail.
Roma and Juliet are heirs to rival gangs in 1920s Shanghai. Their families have been locked in a blood feud with each other and yet they find themselves drawn to each other. When a monster spreads a madness that causes the afflicted to claw their own throats out, the two team up to save their city.

I really loved the way Chloe Gong transformed this classic love story into a bloody gang war and a horrible plague sweeping their city. It was a longer book but it was fast paced and I thought a lot of the original highlights of Romeo and Juliet were kept but the original story didn’t weight it down. Juliet is definitely the highlight of this story, very strong and holds her own throughout.

Hi, this was so good that I don’t have words to explain how I feel.

I’ve never been so completely enthralled by a plot and world building. I just adkslskff everything was done so well. The writing was beautiful and descriptive. Apparently Chloe Gong is younger than me and I’m honestly impressed by her skills. The amount of research and time it would have taken to create such a realistic, tangible world is just amazing. The plot kept me on my toes. The relationship ahhshhjskd THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL ENEMIES TO LOVERS. Most people can’t do this well enough to make me ship two characters, but Chloe Gong did it and I love her for it. I also finally understand why people want certain characters to step on them because J U L I E T T E is just wow. Also, how nice is it to have a couple where the woman is more badass than the man??!! Like the end there...mind blowing. Roma could never, but he’s a softie so I like him anyway. I’m also not smart and didn’t realize what exactly Juliette did because I was just in awe at everything and I want more so badly. The tension between the communists and the nationalists was very interesting and I love how this reads like a historical fiction in a way. I don’t know much about Shanghai but it’s cool to learn a little about the history. I would like the next book immediately. So glad I purchased a copy of this for myself. I’m going to go now and think about the masterpiece this book is.

Eternally grateful to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!! <3

What.
Was.
That?!?!

Seriously.
What the hell was that cliffhanger?!?!😰
All that work and then that happens??? omgomgomg😓


Chloe Gong really knows how to deliver an ending. I just love how she ends the book in the middle of a climax?!?! (She even added the "To be continued" at the end as if knowing that her readers would be begging for more aghhhh and I unknowingly fell into the trap)

I could honestly just feel the beginning of despair swallow up the characters and horror dawn on them as they realized that this was not over—but only the beginning of everything.

Now you probably have no idea with what I'm talking about unless you've already read the book, and I probably sound like a rambling lunatic, but trust me or maybe don't, once you read this for yourselves......you'll see what I mean.😈 (I shan't be the only one suffering muahahahaa)


Set in 1920's Shanghai, eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai has finally returned home after 4 years of residing in America. She's back and ready to reclaim her rightful place as the heir of the Scarlet Gang, but unfortunately, with being gone for 4 years, there will have been many changes within both the gang and city.

The French, British, Americans, and Communists have all slowly worked their way up and gained more power in Shanghai in the time that's passed.

And to add on to that, a strange madness is spreading in the city like wildfire with the victims clawing at their throats and whispering of sightings of a monster lurking around. Oh yeah, and somehow creepy and disgusting insects are appearing *shudder* it truly is a nightmare come to life.

Let's not forget the most important of all—the White Flowers, sworn enemies of the Scarlet Gang. Between the two groups lies centuries of deep hatred and to this day, they remain as is with their territories and killing of one another.

But when both gangs deal with losses of their own because of the madness and monster......they may be forced to set aside their grudges and work together. *gasp* (ik, the horror.)😨


Hey, hey, hey, but that's not all Juliette's problems. There's also having to face Roma Montagova heir of the White Flowers—the man who once knew her better than anyone and.......her lover.

After a heartbreaking betrayal though, all Juliette feels for him is a deep burning hatred . However, when an incident forces Juliette and Roma to band together to figure out the cause of the sickness, hatred is no longer what lies in her mind.

Or maybe, that feeling never left at all........😏


Juliette was such an amazing female protagonist and I just loved her.🥰 Her strength and bloodthirstiness.......ahhhhh what's not to love about it? (uh oh, I'm starting to see a trend in what type of characters I'm loving)

Even though she didn't enjoy hurting people, she still would, knowing when it was necessary for information or if said victim would be a hindrance left alive. xD and unlike our soft boy here, Juliette would think of shooting as her first option rather than incapacitating them. (not....that that's a good thing of course hehe)
It's pretty cool seeing the female MC as the cold and unforgiving one and the male being the opposite (in most cases).


"O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?"

Yes, the famous line we all know of. Except what's funny is that I actually never read Romeo and Juliet before. I've heard about it and everything, but my English teacher told us that he hated the play and it's stupidity, so he wouldn't make us read it (instead it was "Much Ado About Nothing", which I loved).

But I digress.

Roma Montagova here is, thankfully, nothing like the Romeo in Shakespeare. Although he is the heir of the White Flowers and must of course get his hands dirty (I mean, he is in a gang), Roma does not have the same ruthlessness as Juliette and actually tries to avoid killing others haha.

But it makes sense the two turned out the way they are now, considering the betrayal—and you'll have to read this to find out what that betrayal was hehe.😉

Also, when Roma would call Juliette 'dorogaya' (means 'sweetheart').......it was just so sweet.🥺


There are also some side characters that I just loved so much, like Benedikt, Marshall, and Kathleen.💕 And then ones that I absolutely despised.......but I won't go into any names. In due time, you shall see who I am talking about.

Chloe Gong said that she wrote "These Violent Delights" as a love letter to Shanghai and I can truly see that. I could almost imagine being in Shanghai myself when she'd describe the beauty of parts of the city and hear her love for it. The culture, the people, the languages spoken......just everything in the book was beautiful to learn about.💞

Now you're probably wondering, "If I loved this book so much, why 4 stars?".

Well, the downside of this book was that some parts were just a slow at times, so I'd kind of have to push myself to get through it. Also, with the people in the city speaking so many different languages (Chinese, Russian, French, etc), sometimes there wouldn't be a translation of it afterwards in English, so how was I supposed to know what it meant?!?!


I mean, based off of what came after, I could guess what the person had said, but I kinda want to know exactly what they're saying (I just went to google translate at that point haha). Some of the sentences were translated later in English by the characters, but then sometimes not....? Maybe, just maybe, I should've paid more attention in French class. whoops

Other than that, this book was beautifully written and AFTER THAT 'TO BE CONTINUED' ENDING I NEED BOOK 2 ASAP.😤😨

I will be over here hoping that I get an ARC of the 2nd book.🥺
Please, please, please.......

P.S. My loyalty will forever lie with the Scarlet Gang🌹