These Violent Delights
Books | Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Historical
4
(17.8K)
Chloe Gong
An Instant New York Times Bestseller * A BuzzFeed Best Young Adult Book of the Year Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Serpent & Dove, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery. A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang—a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal. But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. 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, then there will be no city left for either to rule.
Historical Fiction
Urban Fantasy
AD
Buy now:
More Details:
Author
Chloe Gong
Pages
400
Publisher
Simon and Schuster
Published Date
2020-11-17
ISBN
1534457712 9781534457713
Ratings
Google: 5
Community ReviewsSee all
"REREAD: This was my second time reading this book, and it is just as impressive and riveting the second time around. Chloe Gong gracefully combines Shakespearean references, a fantastical foe, gangster politics, Chinese culture and a 1920s backdrop to point where these opposite ideas seem to always be meant to go together. The way she took the story of Romeo and Juliet and turned it on its head was masterful. She included elements of the original story, characters having Shakespearean counterparts and aspects of the plot nodding to the source material, while making it her own. Roma and Juliette’s dynamic was delectable. I loved the choice of their romance being in the past and it being a lovers to enemies to lovers trope. It was very gripping. I’m so obsessed with how she added dimension to all the characters, Shakespeare inspired or original. I’m so psyched to read the second and finish the duology."
Madeline Glanton
"I enjoyed this book and I'm excited (maybe a bit nervous) for the next one. Our leads are pretty unlikeable. I think I rooted against them and their gangs for the entire story and I had a great time doing it. Now, this is very clearly Chloe Gong's first book and that comes across most in an oversimplified of all the non fantasy related topics she wants to cover. Buuuuut it is a YA novel and I know when I was 16 I would have probably skimmed over all that anyway 💁"
Lize
"I think I would actually give a 3.5 for this one. There were parts that it was really slow and the political aspects were kind of meh. But the end was good and got more interesting. It's a Romeo and Juliet story so there has to be rival families/gangs which means the characters aren't necessarily good people all the time. Same with all the politics. There isn't really a good side and a bad side."
Meagan Khatthaname
"Just a whole lot of fun to read, especially if you want something with plot twists!"
Jonathan Kent
"Full review on my YouTube @bookdnbrewd"
Z G
Zariah Grant
"UGH. I HATE YOU CHLOE GONG. WHY MUST YOU GIVE US SUCH A HEART-GRINDING ENDING?
I cried.
But, I’ll do it again.
Because this book is a GEM. HOLY—There is no limits when it comes to Chloe Gong. New favorite author???? Another five stars read???? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟/5 indeed. MUST. FREAKING. READ."
J L
"Oh my gosh. This book is everything; I read both books in the span of two days. "
Rylee Elyse
"4.5 stars.
this retelling of Romeo and Juliette set in 1920’s Shanghai between two rival gangs is one of my fav retelling, it’s the culture sensitivity and the small little ism that pop up even though you are reading fantasy some very real world topics come about and i am absolutely scared shitless to read book 2. I fear it might wreck me.
Miss Juliette is what I aspire to be, just but brutual when needed.
and Roma is who I really should be, choosing kindness and the high road as long as possible.
loved Marshall and Roslyn too 😭"
Farah
"Read it. You won’t regret it. The ending!! 😩😩"
Lilly
"I absolutely love love loved this book, all the characters are amazingly written and the plot is very well developed and I loved the mix of different languages the author put in the book. My only complaint is that I felt the romantic relationship between Roma and Juliette was a bit silly- but over all it has been one of my favorite reads. 5🌟 :D"
Avery <3
Similar Books
4.4
4.2
3.8
4
4
3.9
3.8
4.1
4.3
3.8
4.2
4.4
4
4.5
4.5
4.7
