Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Welch grausames Ende by Chloe Gong

8 reviews

tourmaline1703's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.75

It has been a while since I read These Violent Delights but reading this has reminded me how much I love these characters and this world. It it so mesmerising to be in the midst of the glamour of the 1920s but also, the political and social tension, which is so fleshed out. The worldbuilding is so rich and all of it is shown, rather than told, making it very immersive.

I love Chloe Gong's writing style and the incorporation of other languages at times. She has reworked Romeo and Juliet so beautifully into something that pays homage to the original whilst also changing it slightly so that it remains unpredictable and a new piece of writing. The emotion and tension is so well captured, I was completely invested.

The plot is brilliant, well-layered and well paced. Each chapter unveils something new, there are twists and turns which are pretty unpredictable. There are elements of a quest, but also the political aspects of the novel really elevate the plot, adding higher stakes and more depth. 

I love all the characters and was totally invested in each of their motives and storylines. I liked how each one was wrapped up, I expeted a little bit more tragedy but there was definitely a lot of emotion at the end. I can't wait to delve into the other books in this universe!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Gun violence

Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, and Colonisation

melissaslibraryy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

omg!! This book definitely exceeded my expectations and was even better than the first. The action, the betrayal, and the angst made this a suspenseful yet gut wrenching read bc even if you predicted certain things, you never knew when or if they would happen or to whom. The way the book left off at the open ending of did they or didn’t they when it came to Juliette and Roma’s HEA, Chloe Gong wrote it in a way that makes you believe they did bc it’s the ending they deserves after fighting so hard for it. This duology was so good and one I’ll always appreciate reading. I’m also glad that people insisted on reading this before starting Foul Last Fortune since it’s a connected series bc I was able to get the full backstory on the rival families and the war on the city, etc. I 1000000% recommend reading this duology if you’re looking for a high stakes fantasy Romeo & Juliet retelling‼️ 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Pandemic/Epidemic, Police brutality, Abandonment, Classism, Gore, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Violence, War, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Medical content

Minor: Sexual content and Xenophobia

jessiereads98's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-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

3.75

This was a great ending to the duology. It strays enough from the original Romeo + Juliet while maintaining the themes to create the perfect balance for a retelling. 

Chloe Gong once again nailed it with the setting and atmosphere of 1920s Shanghai. I loved how she tracked the shifting the politics and atmosphere of change. The pacing in this book is great. I also just love a fantasy novel set in or based on 1920s East Asia.

The characters were well done and compelling for the most part. I feel like we got a good amount of time with all the side characters to experience the world outside the view of the two main characters, without it feeling like it detracted from the story or was a waste of time. I actually wish we had gotten more time with Rosalind. I think the story would’ve felt more complete, and she would’ve been a great counterpoint to Juliette had she been more fleshed out. I was left with questions at the end around her character and motivations.

I know she’s the focus of the next duology in this universe. However, her character and POV still should’ve been explored more in this book, especially given the important role she plays here.

Once again, this book is a bit overwritten. There’s metaphors and heavy handed setting descriptions that are unnecessary. Some of the dialogue feels forced rather than natural for the characters and their setting. There are a few moments of cringe, but it isn’t enough to make the entire book off-putting.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Classism, Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Violence

Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Confinement, Grief, Body horror, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: War, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Suicide, Abandonment, Homophobia, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Sexism

esme_t's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, and Death

Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder

Minor: Abandonment and Suicide

ashleycmms's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced

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

2.75

If you liked book one, book two is an amazing pairing that brings the chaos and tragedy of the R&J story. While opening up an interesting world for what is to come afterwards. I would definitely suggest picking it up, if that’s the case for you. However, I am on the other side where I was anticipating Book 1 forever and felt bored and disappointed throughout it. While Book 2 gives some character development and explains some of the GAPING context holes, for me, it still wasn’t a WIN. I’m glad I gave the second book a chance, but the blood feud remains nonsensical, Roma & Juliette continue putting each other above everyone else EXCEPT the people that they DO NOT KNOW who they feel the need to protect for no reason but the city is “theirs” and they feel responsible… For a mess they did not create. The length/pacing of this was too drawn out for me. And it made all the parts that could have made this a 4/5 star read for me feel lost in all the other plot lines, characters, etc. I’m tired. I never want to dive into this world again.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Violence, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, War, Torture, Grief, Confinement, Colonisation, and Blood

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicide, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship

devynry's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, Violence, and War

tahsintries's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Gun violence

Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Murder, and Torture

Minor: Abandonment, Transphobia, Homophobia, and Death of parent

lindseyhall44's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Body horror, Gun violence, Grief, and Colonisation

Moderate: Abandonment, Child death, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent

Minor: Sexual content