Scan barcode
plsnotanotherdamselindistress's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I love when there are many plotlines in a book and the author sprinkles in information that doesn't get acknowledged as information because its importance for the story is not yet evident and then slowly plotlines start connecting and you're able to recognize the importance of some before sprinkled in information so you can start guessing possible plottwists that may come further on in the story making the tension build up steadily until the story reaches a crescendo.
I also really enjoyed the use of terms in multiple different languages and how important things were later on explained but other less important ones were like collecting trinkets if you could translate them.
They also helped build the setting as far as I can recognize it quite accurately of the past.
(Of course I am only referring to the setting and not the kind of sci-fi aspects of the story.)
"Advise":
- I would advise to read this book in your first language, because skimming over pages isn't a thing with this book
- this book is not primarily a romance story (though romantic relationships are a subplot but the book does not focus on them and personally I believe they are one of the weaker parts of the story)
And I am sorry but the reveal that Phoebe is Priest...I had considered her but as we also got her POV in certain situations it did not make sense anymore...
Either slightly leave out her thoughts in her POV or just don't mention certain things...
I also really enjoyed the use of terms in multiple different languages and how important things were later on explained but other less important ones were like collecting trinkets if you could translate them.
They also helped build the setting as far as I can recognize it quite accurately of the past.
(Of course I am only referring to the setting and not the kind of sci-fi aspects of the story.)
"Advise":
- I would advise to read this book in your first language, because skimming over pages isn't a thing with this book
- this book is not primarily a romance story (though romantic relationships are a subplot but the book does not focus on them and personally I believe they are one of the weaker parts of the story)
Either slightly leave out her thoughts in her POV or just don't mention certain things...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Murder
Moderate: War and Gun violence
Minor: Child abuse
chronicacademia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Blood, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, Torture, Violence, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Medical trauma, and Physical abuse
jenny_librarian's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
These books are heavy on the political, but SO good! I love how Chloe Gong can drop us in the middle of early-20th century China and make us feel how it is while keeping up with incredibly diverse characters (a rarity in historical novels) and unraveling plots that involve tiny bits of fantasy elements.
I was surprised by most of the revelations in this book. There were enough red-herrings that I was led astray until the very end, yet it made almost perfect sense. Almost, because I’m still not 100% sure about Priest.
The only reason I’m not giving this 5 stars (apart from the Priest thing) is that there wasn’t enough of Oliver/Celia for me, and that the short story at the end didn’t feel like much explanation.
Again, I’ll be looking forward to the next release in this incredible series. In the meantime, I’ll just have to read the short stories (which are also absolutely GORGEOUS! All those books are so pretty 😍) and catch up with other favourite characters.
I was surprised by most of the revelations in this book. There were enough red-herrings that I was led astray until the very end, yet it made almost perfect sense. Almost, because I’m still not 100% sure about Priest.
The only reason I’m not giving this 5 stars (apart from the Priest thing) is that there wasn’t enough of Oliver/Celia for me, and that the short story at the end didn’t feel like much explanation.
Again, I’ll be looking forward to the next release in this incredible series. In the meantime, I’ll just have to read the short stories (which are also absolutely GORGEOUS! All those books are so pretty 😍) and catch up with other favourite characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Colonisation, and Murder
Minor: Chronic illness, Torture, and Genocide
theliterarymess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If Chloe Gong has 1000 fans then I am one of them. If Chloe Gong has 1 fan then it is me. I Chloe Gong has no fans then I am dead.
I really appreciated a deeper insight into Rosalind, the reasons for her actions in These Violent Delights and the way she thinks she has to redeem herself after.
Sometimes it was hard to keep up with code names and loyalties, but that was exactly how it was back then! And after that epilogue I don’t know what to think about Phoebe.
As much as I love Roma and Juliette, in this book I felt that there were a lot more moments of chemistry between Rosalind and Orion, though possibly because in this book we got to see them meet and fall for one another despite their mistrust, whereas Roma and Juliette were already in love.
I was so scared I wouldn’t enjoy this book as much as the These Violent Delights duology, but Chloe Gong goes above and beyond every time. I love the Secret Shanghai secrets. I love every moment and every character that comes into play.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, War, and Violence
Moderate: Murder and Blood
Minor: Medical trauma and Child abuse
taryn_g's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content, Child abuse, and Gore
More...