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writingcaia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
Roma Montagov from the White Flowers Gang and Juliette Cai from the Scarlet Gang have been thorn apart by bloodshed in the past, but four years later, after being exiled in NY, Juliette is back to Shangai. And, just as things heat up in the blood feud and when a creepy monster that sheds hundreds of horrid lice-like ones to infect people into tearing their throats out prowls the streets of their town. It is this common threat to both their people that will have Juliette and Roma come together again, now with not but resentment in their hearts, or so it seems, but they’ll have to put their hatred aside and team up to take down their mutual threat. However, nothing is made easy for these two, love and hate runs close to the skin, the blood feud always in the path of their love, and the monster not as easy to deal with as they hoped especially when they have to run against time to save their loved ones.
This a slow to medium paced story, anchored both in the historical events of the 20/30’s in Shangai, revolution, communists, nationalists, foreign invaders, gangsters all making the streets of the town run red with the blood of the people, and it’s also a retelling of the famous Shakespearean love tragedy Romeu and Juliet.
I’ve to say it wasn’t the easiest book to dive into, thankfully there’re the Montagov and Marsh who were all so endearing and made me keep going, eventually I came into syntony with the story albeit dreading how close to the original it would stick to.
Soon it became a riveting read and continued until the end, with plenty of bloodshed, monsters, hate, betrayal, murder, and of course love to conquer all odds.
I can’t say how close it cut to the original tale without spoilers, I can only say there’re a few plot twists related and unrelated with the Shakespearean tragedy.
Overall a 4.5⭐️ duology and if you like YA retellings, with dark mystery, gangs, history and tragedy this is for you.
This a slow to medium paced story, anchored both in the historical events of the 20/30’s in Shangai, revolution, communists, nationalists, foreign invaders, gangsters all making the streets of the town run red with the blood of the people, and it’s also a retelling of the famous Shakespearean love tragedy Romeu and Juliet.
I’ve to say it wasn’t the easiest book to dive into, thankfully there’re the Montagov and Marsh who were all so endearing and made me keep going, eventually I came into syntony with the story albeit dreading how close to the original it would stick to.
Soon it became a riveting read and continued until the end, with plenty of bloodshed, monsters, hate, betrayal, murder, and of course love to conquer all odds.
I can’t say how close it cut to the original tale without spoilers, I can only say there’re a few plot twists related and unrelated with the Shakespearean tragedy.
Overall a 4.5⭐️ duology and if you like YA retellings, with dark mystery, gangs, history and tragedy this is for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Transphobia
ssuummeerrn's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
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
4.0
I really did like this duology. I am a huge fan of Shakespeare and Chloe Gong! I think that Chloe is an amazing story teller and has an incredible career ahead of her.
The only reason that I give this book, and duology as a whole, 4 stars instead of 5 is because I really struggle with retellings. I don't usually read them because they don't surprise me like other books do. I know what is going to happen.
Having read the original Romeo and Juliet and seeing many movie remakes, these books just don't have the shock value that I like.
That is just my personal opinion though and it in no way means that this is a bad story. It is actually a fantastic story and very deserving of all of the hype! Chloe should be very proud.
This review is the definition of "it's not you, it's me", and that is 100% true. I just have an unrealistic dislike of retellings and that in no way reflects the quality of this book.
The only reason that I give this book, and duology as a whole, 4 stars instead of 5 is because I really struggle with retellings. I don't usually read them because they don't surprise me like other books do. I know what is going to happen.
Having read the original Romeo and Juliet and seeing many movie remakes, these books just don't have the shock value that I like.
That is just my personal opinion though and it in no way means that this is a bad story. It is actually a fantastic story and very deserving of all of the hype! Chloe should be very proud.
This review is the definition of "it's not you, it's me", and that is 100% true. I just have an unrealistic dislike of retellings and that in no way reflects the quality of this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
wet_towlette's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
I am never going to emotionally recover from this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
molly_rose's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Suicide, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
lainiereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
okay i will just die now thank u
100/100 stars perfect book love u miss chloe
after reflecting i’m definitely adding this to my tops 10 books, but it is honestly in my top 3 books right now, i am in love
100/100 stars perfect book love u miss chloe
after reflecting i’m definitely adding this to my tops 10 books, but it is honestly in my top 3 books right now, i am in love
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, and War
morriganslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicide
katiefreeman209's review against another edition
dark
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicide
padme's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
Wow, what a sequel!!
Once again, I was planning on giving this four stars just because there were a few elements I didn't likeI didn't like Rosalind's storyline, especially since it was held back for so long as a dramatic reveal so we didn't get a lot of insight into how involved she was and why she did what she did. I also thought Dimitri was a pretty weak villain, and we didn't get much insight into why he was doing what he was doing, other than that he was a bad guy. I felt like the book was weakened somewhat by trying to paint Rosalind as a villain of some kind while also removing her agency in the situation, implying that it was all because of Dimitri that she did what she did. I think the book MIGHT have been better served giving Dimitri a POV and giving Rosalind some more focus up front, and then painting their story as a parallel to Roma and Juliette's. It would have eliminated some big reveals later on, but it would have made the first half of the book more investing and would have given the two villains more motivation later on .
However, I have to give this a 4.5 stars just because of how well the ending played. Chloe Gong knows how to stick a landing! The epilogue genuinely made me cry, and I wasn't expecting it to.
Overall, it was a really incredible read, and I can't wait to see what Chloe Gong writes next! Such an interesting world, so many cool characters, and such a great way to adapt an old story.
Once again, I was planning on giving this four stars just because there were a few elements I didn't like
However, I have to give this a 4.5 stars just because of how well the ending played. Chloe Gong knows how to stick a landing! The epilogue genuinely made me cry, and I wasn't expecting it to.
Overall, it was a really incredible read, and I can't wait to see what Chloe Gong writes next! Such an interesting world, so many cool characters, and such a great way to adapt an old story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicide, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror, Blood, and Colonisation
hockeysophie28's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.75
After the conclusion of These Violent Delights, there were a lot of questions lingering in my mind, about the characters, the story, and their connections to each other. This book answered these questions in a way that was just right.
The already-developed characters were developed even further, and I really enjoyed getting to see Roma and Juliette grow and change as they try to navigate the dangers of the world around them and the confusion of their relationship and exactly how they feel about one another. I found myself on the edge of my seat wondering if the two would find each other again or if Roma would never be able to get over his new hatred of Juliette.
The other relationships (platonic, enemies, and otherwise) in the story were very fleshed-out and fun to read. My personal favourites to read were the dynamics of Juliette and Tyler, Benedikt and Roma, andMarshall and Benedikt . They were all so interesting to read and watch grow/develop.
The side characters were dynamic and interesting as well, with some chapters even diving into their perspective on things to really flesh out their personality and the story as a whole. Kathleenaka Celia was already a character I had interest in in the first book and this just solidified that for me.
When developing such captivating and interesting characters, the plot can tend to be less interesting or less powerful. However, the author did not do this. The plot of the book was exciting and suspenseful, and I would find myself not wanting to put it down.
The only criticisms I have of this book is that certain scenes just seemed either too long or not long enough, and that the ending (though quite impactful) could have been a bit better.
Overall, I loved this book so much, a thrilling conclusion to an incredibly great series.
The already-developed characters were developed even further, and I really enjoyed getting to see Roma and Juliette grow and change as they try to navigate the dangers of the world around them and the confusion of their relationship and exactly how they feel about one another. I found myself on the edge of my seat wondering if the two would find each other again or if Roma would never be able to get over his new hatred of Juliette.
The other relationships (platonic, enemies, and otherwise) in the story were very fleshed-out and fun to read. My personal favourites to read were the dynamics of Juliette and Tyler, Benedikt and Roma, and
The side characters were dynamic and interesting as well, with some chapters even diving into their perspective on things to really flesh out their personality and the story as a whole. Kathleen
When developing such captivating and interesting characters, the plot can tend to be less interesting or less powerful. However, the author did not do this. The plot of the book was exciting and suspenseful, and I would find myself not wanting to put it down.
The only criticisms I have of this book is that certain scenes just seemed either too long or not long enough, and that the ending (though quite impactful) could have been a bit better.
Overall, I loved this book so much, a thrilling conclusion to an incredibly great series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Blood, and War
Minor: Suicide
rebeccaxpaige's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
This book will have you on the edge of your seat no doubt. Here you have a sequel that is shocking, humourous and in its foundation, political. I do not want to reveal too much but Gong has successfully crafted the most complex and riveting characters. Juliette is wise, cutthroat and embodies a much more empowered version of her original character written by Shakespeare. Though she is wise, she is also flawed— which makes her loveable. She is unfairly torn between two political forces: loyalty or betrayal. Roma is another complex character who pales in comparison to his sister, Alisa who is not a central plot device by any means; but she proves herself to be a hero in her own right in this mind boggling, emotionally distressing (in the best way possible) young adult masterpiece.
I will not say anything else other than if you want to see what real women are made of, you must read this book. 5 of the easiest stars I gave this year.
I will not say anything else other than if you want to see what real women are made of, you must read this book. 5 of the easiest stars I gave this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent