I loved this book! It was very well written, a unique story and a plot I enjoyed. I thought the characters were very enjoyable, and I will definitely be recommending this series to my younger sister!

I thoroughly enjoyed These Violent Delights, and was so glad to get the chance to read Our Violent Ends ahead of its release. Although I felt Our Violent Ends was a valuable contribution, I do think it fell short in comparison to the first novel. The first half was a little slow, but it definitely picked up as it went on. I wish we got to see a little more of the side characters points of view, since those plot lines were some of the most fascinating. The ending was a bit rushed and I wish it was a little more fleshed out, but I do think it was an appropriate ending for the series.
All in all, I think this was a really unique take on the original play. Chloe Gong has done a really great job of creating a diverse and lively world that I found very refreshing.

4.5*
OKAY OKAY
for starters thank you so much to netgalley and miss chloe gong loml for this arc because i was physically combusting, waiting for november
THIS WAS SO GOOD. i loved these video delights a lot but this was without a doubt much better. the relationships got to develop even more and there were several twists, some that my megamind guessed and others that caught me off guard. i will not be saying anything about my emotions at the end because i think that will count as an indirect spoiler but i will say that my one qualm with this was that the end could’ve been SLIGHTLY more developed. but other than that, i love these characters and this story so much and the writing was improved in the sequel in my opinion so i 100% recommend picking this series up if you haven’t already because wowowowowow
the romance in this was also so good i actually cried several times throughout because i could just not contain my emotions.
there were so many amazing quotes that i wanted to include but im terrified of anything being even remotely spoilery for yall so you’ll have to read it to see it but ugh wow

What an epic read! Thank you so much for providing me with an ARC, this has been a roller Peter of emotions! Loved all the past paced action and many plot twists! Chloe Gong is definitely an author to binge!

I gotta rate this 6 stars I must say...

Omg... this book will bring pain to you. I loved Roma and Juliette more! And the ending ... just be prepared.

I am so grateful for this ARC. I finished These Violent Delights and had to immediately read Our Violent Ends. This book was a fantastic take on imperialism and I loved the political dynamics in the book, I thought it was very interesting to read. I was so attached to every single character in this book that I sobbed for 15 mins after finishing it because the ending nearly broke me. The romance was also great. I would absolutely recommend this to a friend and made a review on Tiktok doing so as well. I can't wait to read the next book Chloe puts out!!

This book was... wow.

I loved the first book and usually it's hard for a sequel to live up to my expectation and this one blew them out of the water. It was phenomenal.

The characters were complex, the relationship was intriguing. The politics and life in 1920s shanghai was wonderfully written

I loved it from start to finish. It was exciting and heartbreaking and bittersweet.

It was everything I wanted.

Well Done.

I am utterly decimated by this book.

This was an exceptional follow up to TVD, Gong's writing remain absolutely breathtaking and I will remain in awe and tears over her sentences. The characters!! God I loved them, I want the world for them. I'm pretty sure I felt every emotion possible while reading this - the last fifty or so pages had me undeniably stressed out. This hands down, has one of the most satisfying endings for a duology. Even if I'm still crying over it as I write this review.

After finishing These Violent Delights, Our Violent Ends quickly became one of my most anticipated novels of 2021. I was utterly blown away by how phenomenal and gratifying it was as a conclusion to Chloe Gong’s debut duology.

The plot was fast paced and intriguing, never really feeling drawn out or unnecessary. Plot twists were incredible and constantly kept me at the edge of my seat! While I did find the monster aspect of the novel a little needless (but not totally), I firmly believe the political aspect really made up for it. It fascinated me very much and was definitely more intense and engrossing to read about.

In my opinion, characters will forever remain an essential and very important must-have in a book, and I truly believe Chloe Gong meets the requirement. Roma and Juliette are such captivating characters! Their complexities as characters and relationships with each other and the side cast add to their intense captivation. The side characters (Marshall, Benedikt, Rosalind, Kathleen, Alisa, etc…) are also quite enjoyable and fascinating. I loved seeing all the characters (but especially Roma and Juliette) change and develop throughout the plot via difficult decisions made by themselves or others. Chloe Gong is exceptionally good at showing how characters can change emotionally and mentally in the course of a novel, and I must say it definitely adds to the intrigue of each character.

In all honesty, duologies have never peaked my interest. Most of them are either rushed or never wrapped up properly, but These Violent Delights duology does not compare to others. Our Violent Ends exceeded my expectations and left me with such a bittersweet feeling. It is truly a remarkable and thrilling ending to a perfect duology that will leave you feeling so many emotions. Make sure to have a box of tissues while reading, you’ll definitely need them!

The story of two ill crossed teens continues in the second book in this series. A 1920's retelling of Romeo and Juliet, filled with feuding families, gang warfare and love. The monsters from the first book are back and this time they are blackmailing the two families, can the mystery be solved before anyone gets hurt?

In a city dripping in the blood of the power-hungry, love threatens to destroy the world that once was. As Shanghai crumbles under the weight of the conflicting sides, Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov struggle to understand what they are to each other, putting everything they work for in jeopardy. Will the city swallow them whole before they destroy each other?

Throughout Our Violent Ends, there is a strong sense of hope infused into the fabric of the dark story. In a setting where death rampages throughout every lonely alley, there is a light within the characters. There is fleeting desperation for a future where the mistakes of the present are forgotten by time.

Juliette Cai is a character of great complexity. She is fueled by fear, by the deep desire to be known as anything more than the heir to the Scarlet legacy. Her need for a life with the sparks of love rather than the flames of war propels Juliette forward in the darkest moments. Roma Montagov, on the other hand, is drenched in insincere hatred and drips with remorse for his failed attempts at escaping the White Rose throne.

Our Violent Ends is saturated in hope and fear, power, pawns and players. It speaks of light found in the darkest corners of a character's soul. At the heart of the story is the hope for a life of peace, where people are free to love with every fiber of their being. This euphoric dream is not an explicit place throughout Our Violent Ends, but it's still felt in the actions of Juliette and Roma. Their haven is a beautiful escape hidden deep within the corners of the book. Chloe Gong uses detailed writing to perfectly string together intricate plots and beautiful moments of hope in Our Violent Ends.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for providing me with an arc of Our Violent Ends. I'm so lucky to have had the opportunity to read this book!

“𝕞𝕪 𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕪 𝕚𝕤 𝕒𝕤 𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕒𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕒, 𝕞𝕪 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕒𝕤 𝕕𝕖𝕖𝕡.“
-
4.5 stars
I cannot praise Chloe Gong enough for the absolute mastery that is this duology. Her prose is breathtaking in a way that constantly made me feel immersed and present in the story. Juliette and Roma have an unhealthy hold on me - in all likelihood I will spend the next several weeks crying over them because I wish there was a third book coming out and I won’t get to read about them again. I miss them already.
This was an incredible finale to the series and I marvel constantly at how clean the storytelling is - how perfectly executed it is and strategically planned it all must have been. I can only hope to one day be half the writer that Chloe Gong is now.
This was the kind of book that made me stare blankly at my wall, tears running down my face, for an hour before I was capable of forming a coherent thought. so be warned: you are in for an emotional rollercoaster.
Anyway, I cannot WAIT for this book to come out so I can shove it violently at all my friends to read. please, on November 16, do yourself a favour and go buy this book. I promise you absolutely will regret it emotionally but it will be so, so worth it.

Chloe Gong is so insane and evil whilst also being a genius who puts her readers through hell and back. 5 stars.

If you've got high expectations for this book, believe me, they WILL be surpassed. Our Violent Ends beats the 'sequels are always worse than the first' myth by a mile. I cannot tell you how many times I had to put my phone down and pace around my room because I was either shocked, sad, happy or nervous, even a combination of all four.

These Violent Delights already had me rooting for the characters from the first page, as well as having an intriguing plot, but it's all amplified here in Book 2. Chloe Gong weaves together the borrowed characters, themes and symbolism from Romeo and Juliet so perfectly whilst simultaneously adding original and unique twists.

The plot felt much more intricate and high-stakes in Our Violent Ends- adding political intrigue on top of the intricate character dynamics, the preexisting blood feud and monster mystery truly spiced it all up. Roma and Juliette absolutely destroyed me. Ben and Mars ruined me. I absolutely adored Kathleen, Rosalind and Alisa's characters and their respective arcs.

That ending was...intense. Satisfying, but intense and bittersweet. Had me staring at the wall for 20 minutes after I finished.

Chloe Gong you have outdone yourself. I can't wait for the Foul Lady Fortune duology!

This is the best sequel I have read in 2021. The monsters took a backseat to the revolution happening in Shanghai. The gangs vs the communists and nationalists created a lot of action which was so well done. The tension between Roma and Juliette was exactly what was missing from the first book. The ending was perfect in keeping true to the play but also leaving open so people can choose their own version of what happened to Roma and Juliette. I have already recommended these books to everyone and have pre ordered a hard copy of this book for my shelf.

Listen, I new what I'd signed up for when going into Our Violent Ends. Still, the ending utterly and completely broke me to pieces. I'm telling you, prepare tissues and your emotional support kitty, dog or whatever it is that'll keep you from falling apart.

Chloe gong has a knack for weaving a story together so immaculately. She definitely set a darker, angstier tone for this conclusion. Throughout the whole book, the atmosphere feels very heavy and dreadful. She slowly prepares you mentally for what's about to go down up to the last page. I was pretty on edge nearing the end.

I thought the plot was expertly handled considering that I was kind of unsure as to where this book was supposed to go in the beginning. As things unfolded, I was afraid that Our Violent Ends would turn out following the same plot template as the first instalment, which was not the case.

I absolutely adored the romance. This series is one of the very few that left me wanting more romance out of a fantasy book, if you can believe it, since I generally hate romance. Juliette and Roma are such a power couple.

All in all, reading this felt like reading a tragedy. Though I don't possess much knowledge on Shakespeare's works, I believe this is a pretty solid retelling of Romeo & Juliet, very remiscent of its source material. It had all the right vibes even thought it ended up breaking my heart. But I loved it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me a digital advanced readers copy of this book!

"Like twin statues reaching for each other, they both fell asleep at last."

Chloe Gong created such a beautifully cruel piece of work with Our Violent Ends. This book exceeded all of my expectations! The entire time I was reading this, I was either laughing, smiling or crying. I found the beginning to be a bit more slow-paced but once the action came in, I was hooked!

This was such a flawless retelling of Romeo and Juliet and I adored how concepts from the original were incorporated with a special Chloe Gong twist! This had everything and more that an avid eneimies to lovers reader could hope for. I felt that this book created such a deeper connection for readers to feel with the characters because of how well it was written.

Our Violent Ends ripped my heart out and broke it into a million little pieces thanks to the amazing Chloe Gong. This was such a well-written conclusion to the duology, readers (including myself) will never be able to recover. Roma and Juliette's story will forever live in our hearts!

Also on a quick note, I love Alisa Montagova so much and her presence in this book made me so happy!

rate:4.5/5

First off, I wanna give a huge thank you to NetGalley and the publishers from Simon & Schuster, for providing me with an early copy of ‘Our Violent Ends’ in exchange for an honest review! <3

This is officially one of the best books I have ever read, and it will forevermore have a special place in my heart. This sequel to ‘these violent delights’ takes place in Shanghai, where a new monstrous danger appears in the city. Even though secrets keep them apart, Juliette must secure Roma’s cooperation if they are to end this threat to the city.

‘Our violent ends’ was absolutely amazing, it had me crying in one chapter, then smiling like an idiot in the next. I don't think my heart has ever raced so fast in anticipation while reading a book before. I love Roma and Juliette so much. Our violent ends definitely picked up faster than these violent delights, it had me hooked from chapter 1. The queen herself miss chloe gong is absolutely incredible, she is literally a genius. I think that our violent ends is really one of my favourite books.

If you are a sucker for an enemies to lovers romance, you will absolutely love this.

Reuniting with my favourite Shanghai gangsters after the explosive ending to These Violent Delights had me anticipating two things above all else: Roma and Juliette trying to kill each other attractively (premium enemies to lovers content) and Benedikt and Marshall finally, you know, communicating. (kissing).
I’m lying, there’s a third thing: KATHLEEN!! I love her so much.

Alas, Chloe Gong is an evil genius and I was not spared. The plot was a lot more exciting in Our Violent Ends, whereas it kind of went in circles with the monster hunt in book 1. The stakes were much higher than before; I found myself far more attached to the protagonists, fearful of the danger they would inevitably face.

Gong does a masterful job retelling Romeo & Juliet while also crafting an undoubtedly unique story. I loved the “ohhhh” moments when making connections back to the source material; the plot twists were so cleverly thought out!

Our Violent Ends was an amazing conclusion to this duology. It takes everything from the first instalment and amps it up a few notches. Such a breathtaking ending, I can’t wait for it to be published!

this book was just absolutely incredible. it surpassed all the expectations i had and left me speechless. i don’t even have any words, this is definitely one of the best books i’ve read this year. chloe wrote an absolute masterpiece. each chapter ended with you immediately wanting to start the next one until you reached the end, it was just impossible to put down. chloe gong is a phenomenal writer, every part of our violent ends was intriguing and riveting. this book was beautiful and now i’m going to go cry for the rest of the day, wishing i could erase this book from my memory just to reread it again.

our violent ends has to be one of the best sequels I've ever read in my life. this book was amazing. it was so intense I could not put it down and the pace was perfect in my opinion. this book was much better than these violent delights, in terms of writing, the relationships between the characters and basically everything. i haven't been able to top thinking about it since I finished it two weeks ago.

i thought I could not fall more in love with roma and juliette's relationship before this and I was SO wrong. they were so intense and so beautifully written and they had me engaged the whole time. i love them so much. the relationship between marshall and benedikt was also much more explored in this book and I could not have asked for more. now onto the characters themselves, kathleen has been my favourite since the first book and her character development was so good and enjoyable to read. i obviously also loved having more povs of her and mars and ben since I love them all. juliette's struggles were also very well explored. honestly, all the different povs in this book were all so interesting to read, unlike many other books where I had to force myself to read from a character's pov who wasn't my favourite and that i found boring. then i also liked getting the "outsider's pov" from time to time because of how beautifully it was written.

moreover, the plot was so so good and very interesting and it was so full of tension i could not put this book down. i loved every second of it and some of the plot twists really had me shocked because of how unexpected they were and really it was just so intense, which i loved (but which also had me very stressed out, in a good way though). furthermore, chloe gong's writing is so amazing. i am not sure whether i can share quotes from this book or not so i won't but i am so excited for everyone else to be able to read this book and be able to freak out over it with them. lastly, that ending was PERFECT. yes it broke my heart, but it was so smart and i could not have asked for a better one.

i feel so privileged to have been able to read this a few months before its release date so thank you to simon & schuster canada and netgalley for providing me with the arc. now i'm going to have to wait for this to be released so i can get a physical copy and be able to freak out over everything but this time alongside everyone else.

my Goodreads review is posted here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4074517734?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1