These Violent Delights
Author: Chloe Gong
Published by: Hodder Books
Pages: 450
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★
Published by: Hodder Books
Pages: 450
Format: Paperback
My Rating: ★★★★
The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery. A blood feud between two gangs runs the street red, leaving the city in chaos.
Juliette Cai is the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang - a network of criminals far above the law.
Roma Montagov is the prodigal son of her greatest rivals, the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. He is also Juliette's first love . . . and first betrayal.
When a deadly madness strikes gangsters on both sides, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, and a monster in the shadows.
And as the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns - and grudges - aside and work together.
For if they can't stop this mayhem, there will be no city left to rule.
Juliette Cai is the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang - a network of criminals far above the law.
Roma Montagov is the prodigal son of her greatest rivals, the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. He is also Juliette's first love . . . and first betrayal.
When a deadly madness strikes gangsters on both sides, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, and a monster in the shadows.
And as the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns - and grudges - aside and work together.
For if they can't stop this mayhem, there will be no city left to rule.
My thoughts
These Violent Delights is an intriguing mystery and a forbidden romance, all wrapped up in the gorgeous atmosphere of 1920s Shanghai. From the beginning, Chloe Gong entraps you with her vivid descriptions and fast paced plot.
The story focuses on the heirs of two rival gangs, The Scarlett Gang and The White Flowers. These heirs Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov have a deep history with each other but were ripped apart by a betrayal years ago.
When a lethal contagion strikes the city, targeting Scarletts and White Flowers alike, Juliette and Roma grudgingly agree to cooperate on an investigation to save their city.
The slow-burning romance takes a back seat to the gripping mystery grounded in fascinating historical detail. I’m normally not a big fan of romance thrown into fantasy novels, but here it worked well. I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters individually, and then seeing the tension and yearning between Juliette and Roma. The dialogue was well written in a way that made you route for the couple throughout the story.
The book is a retelling of the original Shakespeare play, providing a sense of familiarity when reading because of course readers will know the original plot.
Links to Romeo and Juliet are evident in names and specific scenes, but familiar themes of family, loyalty, and identity convey new significance in this inventive adaptation. Gong takes it to a completely new level and in some ways, it feels like a completely different story. I found myself not knowing what was going to happen next and who was going to survive. I was gripped from start to finish because the stakes felt high and unpredictable.
I highly enjoyed These Violent Delights and found the twists and turns throughout thrilling. Even though the themes of the book are very dark, it wasn’t a difficult read. It is entertaining, exciting and very enjoyable. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel as soon as I can!
Overall reaction:
These Violent Delights is an intriguing mystery and a forbidden romance, all wrapped up in the gorgeous atmosphere of 1920s Shanghai. From the beginning, Chloe Gong entraps you with her vivid descriptions and fast paced plot.
The story focuses on the heirs of two rival gangs, The Scarlett Gang and The White Flowers. These heirs Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov have a deep history with each other but were ripped apart by a betrayal years ago.
When a lethal contagion strikes the city, targeting Scarletts and White Flowers alike, Juliette and Roma grudgingly agree to cooperate on an investigation to save their city.
The slow-burning romance takes a back seat to the gripping mystery grounded in fascinating historical detail. I’m normally not a big fan of romance thrown into fantasy novels, but here it worked well. I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters individually, and then seeing the tension and yearning between Juliette and Roma. The dialogue was well written in a way that made you route for the couple throughout the story.
The book is a retelling of the original Shakespeare play, providing a sense of familiarity when reading because of course readers will know the original plot.
Links to Romeo and Juliet are evident in names and specific scenes, but familiar themes of family, loyalty, and identity convey new significance in this inventive adaptation. Gong takes it to a completely new level and in some ways, it feels like a completely different story. I found myself not knowing what was going to happen next and who was going to survive. I was gripped from start to finish because the stakes felt high and unpredictable.
I highly enjoyed These Violent Delights and found the twists and turns throughout thrilling. Even though the themes of the book are very dark, it wasn’t a difficult read. It is entertaining, exciting and very enjoyable. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel as soon as I can!
Overall reaction: