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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
karcitis's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Colonisation, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, and Death
Minor: Homophobia, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Transphobia, and Car accident
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-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
This is the second time this year that I’ve read one of my most anticipated releases and it hasn’t been everything I’d hoped it would be. At this point, I’m a little bit worried that’s going to become a trend.
It’s not that this was a bad book. It wasn’t. But it did lack the intrigue that drew me into and then kept me reading These Violent Delights. I guessed one of the major plot twists back in the first quarter of the book, and was just generally not as invested in the story or characters. The only one of the seven that I really liked was Alisa. Of the others, we barely saw Celia or Oliver, and I thought both Oliver and Phoebe were kind of annoying. I was mostly indifferent toward Rosalind and Orion—although Orion was, at least, occasionally amusing—and Silas just felt bland.
I couldn’t even get behind any of the ships. Silas and Phoebe had no chemistry. If we hadn’t been told that they liked each other, I wouldn’t have known. Oliver and Celia didn’t have nearly enough page time for me to get behind them. Honestly, I feel like both Silas and Celia could do better, sorry not sorry. As for Rosalind and Orion, I’ll admit that they had a few good scenes and some good banter, but for the most part, they just kind of felt… meh. I hate to say all of this, but it’s true. I know what Chloe can do with romance—I’ve seen it in Romette and in Benmars. I adore both of those couples and was hoping to feel similar love for these new ones, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. I do think that Rosaorion has the most potential for the sequel, though. Maybe I could still board that ship at some point. We’ll see.
My favorite part of the book was the tiny Benmars update we got in one of Alisa’s early chapters, and the most entertaining part was searching for clues as to whether or not Roma and Juliette are still alive. I already thought they were before starting; now that I’ve finished, I’m certain not only that they’re alive, but also that we’ll see them in the sequel. If I had money, I would bet on it. I legit have a note on my phone full of textual evidence and theories.
This is unrelated to either Roma or Juliette; it’s just something I wanted to comment on. How the hell is annoying little Phoebe actually Priest??? You’re telling me a whiny, too cool for school wannabe socialite is the Communists’ best assassin??? Yeah, I know, that’s probably a cover to make sure no one guesses her identity, but still. I’m having a seriously hard time believing it, even if it would explain why Priest helped Rosalind, Orion and Alisa in the warehouse attack. I’m gonna need some convincing here, Chloe.
So, yeah. It pains me to give one of Chloe’s books less than five stars, but this just… didn’t do it for me. I had both high hopes and high expectations after reading and adoring the TVD books last year, and unfortunately, this fell flat. I’m still going to read the sequel though, partially out of curiosity, but mostly because I want to see Roma and Juliette again. 💁🏼💁🏼
Representation
It’s not that this was a bad book. It wasn’t. But it did lack the intrigue that drew me into and then kept me reading These Violent Delights. I guessed one of the major plot twists back in the first quarter of the book, and was just generally not as invested in the story or characters. The only one of the seven that I really liked was Alisa. Of the others, we barely saw Celia or Oliver, and I thought both Oliver and Phoebe were kind of annoying. I was mostly indifferent toward Rosalind and Orion—although Orion was, at least, occasionally amusing—and Silas just felt bland.
I couldn’t even get behind any of the ships. Silas and Phoebe had no chemistry. If we hadn’t been told that they liked each other, I wouldn’t have known. Oliver and Celia didn’t have nearly enough page time for me to get behind them. Honestly, I feel like both Silas and Celia could do better, sorry not sorry. As for Rosalind and Orion, I’ll admit that they had a few good scenes and some good banter, but for the most part, they just kind of felt… meh. I hate to say all of this, but it’s true. I know what Chloe can do with romance—I’ve seen it in Romette and in Benmars. I adore both of those couples and was hoping to feel similar love for these new ones, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. I do think that Rosaorion has the most potential for the sequel, though. Maybe I could still board that ship at some point. We’ll see.
My favorite part of the book was the tiny Benmars update we got in one of Alisa’s early chapters, and the most entertaining part was searching for clues as to whether or not Roma and Juliette are still alive. I already thought they were before starting; now that I’ve finished, I’m certain not only that they’re alive, but also that we’ll see them in the sequel. If I had money, I would bet on it. I legit have a note on my phone full of textual evidence and theories.
So, yeah. It pains me to give one of Chloe’s books less than five stars, but this just… didn’t do it for me. I had both high hopes and high expectations after reading and adoring the TVD books last year, and unfortunately, this fell flat. I’m still going to read the sequel though, partially out of curiosity, but mostly because I want to see Roma and Juliette again. 💁🏼💁🏼
Representation
- demisexual Chinese protagonist
- two bisexual Chinese protagonists
- trans MTF Chinese protagonist
- unlabeled queer Chinese protagonist
- Chinese protagonist
- aromantic asexual protagonist
- various Chinese and Japanese side characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Medical trauma, Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Physical abuse
Emotional and physical abuse are there regarding mentions of them in characters’ pasts. Additional content warning for human experimentation.jessicaludden's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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
“You life is mine as mine is yours.”
This was everything I wanted it to be and more. I loved every single one of the characters. They were all so unique and complex, but I also loved the different pairings we got and the interactions between them. It’s actually impossible for me to pick a favorite character or favorite pairing. The plot was so engaging. It kept me on my toes. Every time I thought I knew what was about to happen, Chloe gave us plot twist after plot twist after plot twist. I loved all the politics. Keeping up with all of the groups, what they stood for, who was loyal to who, and who was undercover as what was so entertaining. Difficult? Yes, but so so worth it. Overall, if Chloe writes it, I read it. This was amazing.
This was everything I wanted it to be and more. I loved every single one of the characters. They were all so unique and complex, but I also loved the different pairings we got and the interactions between them. It’s actually impossible for me to pick a favorite character or favorite pairing. The plot was so engaging. It kept me on my toes. Every time I thought I knew what was about to happen, Chloe gave us plot twist after plot twist after plot twist. I loved all the politics. Keeping up with all of the groups, what they stood for, who was loyal to who, and who was undercover as what was so entertaining. Difficult? Yes, but so so worth it. Overall, if Chloe writes it, I read it. This was amazing.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Gun violence, Murder, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Deadnaming, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Abandonment
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