Reviews with content warning for Violence - These Violent Delights. Gwałtowne pasje

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

These Violent Delights. Gwałtowne pasje by Chloe Gong

431 reviews

ciecyreads's review against another edition

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Gory, boring, and gross

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alibrarymouse's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

While the idea of this book sounds so interesting, I just couldn’t get behind the characters. The side characters really make this book because Juliette and Roma weren’t really likable.

It’s also super gory, so it was a little gross to repeatedly hear about

people ripping their own throats out

I understand the point trying to be made, but this goes a little too far with it. I did like the world created and explored because 1920s Shanghai was interesting, but there were a few things even within the plot I would have liked explained a bit more.

Maybe these get cleared up in the sequel? However, I wasn’t moved enough by anyone or anything to have much interest in the next and felt the ending was satisfactory enough to just call it a day after this one.

Worth reading for the world and the commentary on colonialism/imperialism, but the slow burn, friends to enemies to lovers and twist at the end wasn’t my favorite.

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angel__'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious

Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

It was pretty good - tbh better, than I thought at the beginning.
Most characters I didn't like, including the main character Juliette.
And it's quite brutal, so check the trigger warnings before reading!
Rep.: trans, gay

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erikaraz's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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brookeimcfeely's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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graceheartsbooks's review against another edition

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4.0

FYI: can’t tag this but trigger warning for insects—especially near the end (I think they’re beetles?).

All I’ve ever heard about this book is it’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling but I honestly think that does it a disservice (or maybe it’s just the fact that Romeo and Juliet retellings have to bring something interesting to the table since a story that’s been retold many times). I’ve never seen anyone mention that this story involves a supernatural monster and if I had known that I would’ve read it sooner lol

I’m amazed that Chloe Gong wrote this during college—writing/doing the research process to make the story authentic to 1920s Shanghai while also studying as a student. Especially since I’m around the same age she was.

Anyway, the story is much more about Roma and Juliette’s relationship and the mystery surrounding the ‘Larkspur’ which is the monster that is killing Shanghai plus the struggles between current residents and the foreigners that have taken over the area’s local businesses. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the world that Chloe Gong set up. I can’t wait to read the second book.

I was going to rate this 4.5 stars initially but I got into a reading slump so had gap between when I last read a chapter and when I finished the book so it’s getting a 4.

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