An Instant New York Times Bestseller! A BuzzFeed Best Young Adult Book of 2020 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 … 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.
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THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS, by Chloe Gong, went above and beyond my expectations. I had heard so much praise about this book, that I honestly didn’t think it would live up to the hype. However, having a love of historical fiction–mixed with horror–I had to at least give it a try.
“The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery.”
Essentially, this is both a “retelling” of Romeo and Juliet (down to the names, Romo and Juliet), and the historical Shanghai–but with a madness that comes from a most … unusual and creepy source.
I loved it! The tension between the rival gangs, added tension from the foreigners trying to take over Shanghai for themselves, and of course, the horrible madness being unleashed. This book had everything from great atmosphere, multiple characters that I believed in, and twists and turns galore.
I can’t wait until the conclusion of this duology is released.
Recommended!
So this was a really intriguing and original book. It was touted as a retelling of Romeo and Juliet. And it definitely has those tones to it. But it is so much more than that. It is a monster story, and a historical fiction, and a family story as well. It has so many different aspects to it. The author used very vivid descriptions, it was as if I was in the actual places that the story was taking place. Because of this however, it was a long book, and not the easiest read, which is why on my blog it is getting a 4.5. Even with it being a little difficult, it was still a read that when I picked it up I was sucked in and didn’t want to put it down even when I had to go back to work or sleep or whatever. It is because of this though that I didn’t finish it when planned. I had set aside about 4 days to read it, but it took longer to work my way through it, but that was because I didn’t want to miss anything by skimming at all.
I will put it out there that it is not a finished book. While all of the problems seem to be solved, there is a bit at the very end, along with the line: To Be Continued, so there will be more. I will definitely be up to see what happens, because I want more. But I think it is important to know that when you go into this book, because it is a big book, and like I said, a bit of an intense and deep read.
Still, I loved the setting, Shanghai in the 1920s, and it was so interesting to look at all the things that were really going on there historically and see them fit into the world the author has created. A beautiful story, one I can’t wait to continue.
This is one of those books that I was influenced by bookstagram to read after seeing it all around. I love the idea of the Romeo and Juliet vibe and thought that it was executed so well by Chloe Gong. I was intrigued about the madness and trying to solve the mystery. I also found myself rooting for Juliette and Roma.
I received this book as a Yule gift from my Youngest Spawn and really enjoyed it.
Although I’m not sure quite why it’s hyped so vigorously as an R+J retelling, even though there are star-crossed lovers who have similar names and are divided by familial and gang loyalties, it’s really more of an early 20th-century noir and sci-fi mash-up, with gang wars, colonial usurpers sweeping into Shanghai, Communist revolts, a monster, and a madness threatening everything that Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov hold dear. They’ve got to work together – despite their incredibly tumultuous past – if they’re going to save the city and its inhabitants, including the people nearest and dearest to their hearts.
Whatever the genre, it was a gripping, fast-paced read that had me making the same expressions as the characters at times. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I didn’t see the last couple of chapters coming, which is always the mark of a great book for me. I especially loved the diversity of characters, not just in race and origin, but in orientation and even gender. This book’s got a bit of everything going on, but they do say that variety is the spice of life!
I’m looking forward to starting on the sequel soon!
I adored the characters in this book, I’ve never read a fantasy book this fast!
This book was slower than I was expecting. But it was a rollercoaster kind of read. It starts with a bang and goes from there. This book was a little gory compared to what I am used to reading, but I knew what I was kind of expecting with gangsters being the core of the novel.
The main character Juliette Cai is a Chinese heiress trying to prove her father and his inner circle that she can run the Scarlet Gang. Her competition for that title is her cousin Tyler Cai. Juliette has returned from a four year leave in America. Because of this, she often feels like a foreigner in her own country. This is sad, and I believe it also helps her character arc. The author wrote her journey through this book well. What a reader can consider a flaw is Juliette feeling like in order to gain respect, she has to be Americanized. Juliette was a well written and round character. I enjoyed reading her and her two cousins Kathleen and Rosalind and how she takes care of them, knowing if she did not, they would not be protected.
The next main character is Roma Montagov Russian heir to the White Flower Gang. He is too trying to prove to his father he is worthy to run the gang. I think Roma is an okay character. I personally liked Marshall and Benedikt. The author wrote his journey well. He is a caring guy. Roma loves his sister and will do anything to protect her. He is a well rounded and written well; he is just not for me. Like Juliette, he has his flaws too. Roma takes care of Marshall and Benedikt, much like Juliette does for her cousins.
The other characters in this book, I love! I want to see more of them. They played their roles well, and like the two main characters, the author wrote them extremely well. They were rounded and had flaws of their own. At some points in the novel, I wanted the story to stay with either Marshall and Benedikt or Kathleen and Rosalind. They were just as important in the story as they helped the main characters push forward. The monster was a bit odd. I do not know if I fully understand how that came about. Maybe it will be explained better in the second book.
This story takes place in the 1920s during the age of gangsters. Instead of America, this takes place in Shanghai, China. During this time, China is being overrun by foreigners, the ones mentioned were the French, Russians, and British and Communism was planting itself as well. The western migration was taking over. The burlesque bars and flapper dresses were becoming popular.
I enjoyed this book. It was a rollercoaster and a bit slow, but written well and kept my interest. I would recommend this if you are interested in the 1920s, gangster settings, China, and gore. This book is bloody.
*I received an ARC, and this is my honest opinion.
You can find this review on my website:
https://www.charliadamswriter.com
A deliciously dark twist on Romeo and Juliet that feels vibrant, modern, and wholly exciting. Gong’s writing brims with energy. I was swept away to her dark Shanghai from the first page and never wanted to leave!
Heady, smart, and vicious, These Violent Delights strikes every note with precision, layering romance and politics into a roaring 20s Shanghai of both monsters and monstrous imperialism.
Full of glitter, suspense and gore, These Violent Delights takes readers into the perilous world of 1926 Shanghai. With the body count rising, and a monster lurking in the Huangpu River, Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov must put aside their differences and work together to save their city. Chloe Gong’s debut is a terrific, deliciously unputdownable read!
Chloe Gong’s These Violent Delights plants a Shakespearean classic in the rich soil of 1920s Shanghai, allowing her characters to grow, flourish, and steal your heart while warring against their own.
Chloe Gong’s These Violent Delights cuts to the heart of twentieth-century China with its scalpel-sharp prose and steel-spirited protagonists. Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov shine brighter than the glitz and glamour of historical Shanghai; sparks fly when they clash in this action-packed story set amidst a backdrop of blood feuds, gang wars, and political upheaval.
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: These Violent Delights
: These Violent Delights #1
: Chloe Gong
: 4.5/5
I simply just loved the setting of this book. I studied Chinese and it was so much fun to actually know what some of the words in pinyin meant. The writing is so good as well, this book just flows so naturally. It did take some time for me to really get into the book, luckily the pace picked up and it was just perfect. A great combination of Chinese culture, mafia/gangsters, banter, enemies to lovers, action and violence. The characters were complex and I loved how the story between Juliette and Roma evolves. The secondary characters were so much fun and very well thought out. The mystery aspect of the story was interesting as well, it definitely kept me guessing. I can’t wait to read the next book to see what happens, especially after that cliffhanger. I highly recommend reading this Romeo and Juliet retelling!
A lot of my reviews are also available with photo at my Bookstagram: @justmyfantasyworld
What an ending!
The story was a little slow in the beginning and it took me a bit to get into it. This is a big book and, even after reading some reviews, I was expecting more romance than there was, yet this is a modern-day retelling of “Romeo and Juliet”.
Can I just say that Benedict and Marshall are EVERYTHING. I KNOW there was something between them…there had to be. I can’t be the only one who saw it.
This was a beautifully written novel and an amazing first novel (how is this a first novel?!) If you are into an old classic retelling, with a lot of politics, gangs at war, and angsty romance then this is the book for you! I might read the second novel just for the ending of this one and to find out if the love interests end up together (finally); I mean they have to, right? (
This book is really good. It starts slowly, setting up this world and its characters, but then is full of action.
The main characters (Roma and Juliette) are very interesting and it’s really cool to see their story through the book, what happened between them and how that influenced their current state. But I found the side characters much more exciting. I need to know more about Marshall and Benedikt and Kathleen (I need to know her true story). Hope that can be possible in the next book.
Those last chapters were so thrilling and it was impossible to put the book down. I didn’t see that ending, it was a surprise to me.
Can’t wait to read the rest of this story
I really really enjoyed this debut! The whole premise is a Romeo and Juliet retelling but being able to add her own spin on it was incredible. I did struggle a tiny bit on the first chapter but after that it was so clear to me that I was sucked into the world that Ms. Gong had created!
Our two main characters, Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov, both are on opposite gangs that have a huge blood feud in Shanghai of 1926, Juliette being the heir to the Scarlets and Roma being the heir to the White Flowers. Despite being on opposite ends, these two do have a history together that is slowly unrevealed throughout the course of the book. Of course, we also can’t forget about the monster that is terrorizing the people of Shanghai by causing people to literally rip out their own throats. Scarlets, White Flowers, and just regular people of Shanghai are being killed off one by one unless Juilette and Roma can set aside their differences and work together to protect their gang members as long as the people of Shanghai.
I seriously loved Juliette’s character the moment that she was introduced. She is one strong, powerful, and “don’t mess with me or you’ll regret it” type of character. She doesn’t let anyone walk over her nor is she afraid to do whatever she has to do in order to protect her gang members and the people of Shanghai. Through Juliette, the reader is able to see important themes that Ms. Gong had included, such as discrimination, the influence of white power, and how power can go to someone’s head when they think they’re on top of the world (ex. the English). Seriously, if you aren’t sure if you want to read this book, please just read it meet Juliette because she is one character that will absolutely make you adore her!
However, I do wish that we were able to get Roma’s perspective a bit more. I know that the book is centered more on Juliette than Roma but the few chapters that were written from Roma’s POV didn’t help me establish his character much. I just feel like that Roma’s character wasn’t as explored as Juliette’s but hopefully in the sequel, my wish would come true!
I loved seeing how the history of Shanghai was incorporated into the story and used throughout it. Some authors tend to choose a setting and not do anything with it, but Ms. Gong decided to bring her version of 1926 Shanghai into a reality. The city truly came alive in my mind and I could vividly picture it as well!
These violent delights is the first book in the serie and debut novel of author Chloe Gong. I have really loved this version of Romeo and Juliet. And the cover of this book is so beautiful.
Juliette is the heir of the Scarlet Gang a network of criminals. Their rivals are the White Flowers and have been for generations. The White flowers heir’s, Roma, is Juliette first love, until this one betrayed her. But one day, a strange sickness is affecting both sides. Those affected show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out. What can cause this? As the deaths start pilling up, they both will need to set their grudges, if they wants to work together to stop this before its to late.
Really looking foward to read the sequel.
Book 100 towards my goal of 290! 3.5/5 stars for this fantastical mystery read. I think once I reread with the sequel I’ll enjoy it more! A little bit Romeo and Juliet, with some Chinese gang thrown in there. It was a good story, with a good mystery. She is a bit dark. I am anxious to reread when book 2 comes out to see if I rate it higher. Narration was a little quiet for me, but still worked. Love the cover!
I loved it…honestly speaking.
A temporary thing for a temporary place, but now the temporary thing is burrowed in so deep it cannot be removed
I enjoyed the mystery, the parallels between Romeo and Juliet infused with Chinese history, the humor, the characters, and the descriptions
Finally…I’m done!!! I am definitely one of the minority in loving this book. This is a book that was so hyped up I HAD to snag it, especially since I love a good retelling. Well for me, this failed immensely.
I was so excited to start this as it’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling and I haven’t read one like this yet. This had such a great premise but I struggled to even WANT to read this as it is just so boring. It’s not just a slow burn….it’s a yawn fest.
This is touted as a historical fantasy, romance and mystery. I really enjoyed the historical aspects and the darkness of this … hence the 3 stars. BUT the mysterious madness takes 95% of the book to come to light with nothing happening except a lot of talk and breaking-and-entering.
As far as the romance goes…you get subtle references to Roma and Juliette’s history but that’s about it. There is no build up, no love/hate flirtations .. just bland scenes .. even when they finally come together it’s quick and boring.
I am so disappointed with this one and won’t even bother to finish the series.