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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‼️
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
giulidrago's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
"Combatterò questa guerra per amarti, Juliette Cai. Combatterò questa faida per averti, perchè è stata la faida a darmi te, per quanto oscura essa sia, e adesso io ti porterò via da lei." "Guarderò la paura in faccia. Oserò amarti Roma Montagov, e se la città mi distruggerà per questo, che faccia pure."
PER L'AMOR DEL CIELO.
Questo secondo volume è meno perfetto di quanto mi sarei aspettata, considerata la prova eccellente di Queste Gioie Violente; i suoi difetti sono difficilmente trascurabili, come la prima metà della storia che replica le dinamiche del primo libro (sebbene con i ruoli di Juliette e Roma scambiati), e gli ultimi capitoli troppo frettolosi se comparati al ritmo adottato in precedenza, ma per la prima volta nella mia vita ho lanciato un grido per lo sgomento a causa di un colpo di scena, quindi mi sento di dire che perdono tutto.
Il percorso di crescita di Juliette e Roma, come individui e coppia, non scade mai nello stereotipo e arricchisce l'archetipo, e ho apprezzato tantissimo come vengano indagati e presentati i loro stati d'animo, spesso contrastanti e in continua evoluzione: la rabbia di Juliette ha un motivo e non la limita dentro un cerchio invalicabile di azioni, non la rende un essere inumano e non è mai una debolezza, e lo stesso vale per la gentilezza di Roma. La graduale presa di coscienza di Juliette su quanto sia effimera e crudele contro la sua stessa gente l'eredità scarlatta, costretta al confronto dalla guerra civile tra nazionalisti e comunisti che scombina ogni alleanza e calpesta anche i sacri vincoli familiari e di protezione è stata la cosa che ho preferito di tutto il romanzo.
I personaggi secondari hanno avuto molto più spazio ed è stato bello e doloroso scavare dentro di loro e assistere alle loro scelte, sbagliate e impulsive e dettate dalla vendetta e dal desiderio di difendere i propri cari.
Chloe Gong è stata molto abile nel trattare la materia originale, inserendo con intelligenza tanti piccoli riferimenti che impreziosiscono la storia e rendono felici noi fan di Shakespeare, senza aver paura di giocarci e adattarla al suo libro. Ogni cambiamento ha un suo perchè ed è coerente con i personaggi e la storia, guidato non dall'intenzione di scioccare il lettore o di stabilire una dominanza sull'opera prima, ma di dialogare con il modello e rendere questa comunicazione ancora fruttuosa, perchè se siamo ancora nel 2023 a parlare di Romeo e Giulietta dopo circa cinquecento anni, significa che ha ancora qualcosa da dirci.
PER L'AMOR DEL CIELO.
Questo secondo volume è meno perfetto di quanto mi sarei aspettata, considerata la prova eccellente di Queste Gioie Violente; i suoi difetti sono difficilmente trascurabili, come la prima metà della storia che replica le dinamiche del primo libro (sebbene con i ruoli di Juliette e Roma scambiati), e gli ultimi capitoli troppo frettolosi se comparati al ritmo adottato in precedenza, ma per la prima volta nella mia vita ho lanciato un grido per lo sgomento a causa di un colpo di scena, quindi mi sento di dire che perdono tutto.
Il percorso di crescita di Juliette e Roma, come individui e coppia, non scade mai nello stereotipo e arricchisce l'archetipo, e ho apprezzato tantissimo come vengano indagati e presentati i loro stati d'animo, spesso contrastanti e in continua evoluzione: la rabbia di Juliette ha un motivo e non la limita dentro un cerchio invalicabile di azioni, non la rende un essere inumano e non è mai una debolezza, e lo stesso vale per la gentilezza di Roma. La graduale presa di coscienza di Juliette su quanto sia effimera e crudele contro la sua stessa gente l'eredità scarlatta, costretta al confronto dalla guerra civile tra nazionalisti e comunisti che scombina ogni alleanza e calpesta anche i sacri vincoli familiari e di protezione è stata la cosa che ho preferito di tutto il romanzo.
I personaggi secondari hanno avuto molto più spazio ed è stato bello e doloroso scavare dentro di loro e assistere alle loro scelte, sbagliate e impulsive e dettate dalla vendetta e dal desiderio di difendere i propri cari.
Chloe Gong è stata molto abile nel trattare la materia originale, inserendo con intelligenza tanti piccoli riferimenti che impreziosiscono la storia e rendono felici noi fan di Shakespeare, senza aver paura di giocarci e adattarla al suo libro. Ogni cambiamento ha un suo perchè ed è coerente con i personaggi e la storia, guidato non dall'intenzione di scioccare il lettore o di stabilire una dominanza sull'opera prima, ma di dialogare con il modello e rendere questa comunicazione ancora fruttuosa, perchè se siamo ancora nel 2023 a parlare di Romeo e Giulietta dopo circa cinquecento anni, significa che ha ancora qualcosa da dirci.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Grief, Pandemic/Epidemic, Police brutality, and Violence
prashiie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
"These violent delights have violent ends."
This story too shows similarities with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. I don’t want to spoil it, so you’ll see when you read it. Just read it…!
This story too shows similarities with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. I don’t want to spoil it, so you’ll see when you read it. Just read it…!
The tables have turned and there’s so much chaos. In the previous book, Roma kept a secret from Juliette and protected her whilst Juliette held a grudge against Roma for betraying her. Now it is Juliette who is trying to protect Roma. So to sum it up: lovers turned enemies turned lovers turned enemies again.
It was a little frustrating, because I felt like she should have told Roma and they could have figured it out together. Like he said:
But of course as soon as Tyler notices Juliette’s misstep, he would swoop in and take over everything. The frictions were already escalating between the gangs, so Juliette is forced to pick a side.
There were so many emotional moments: Benedikt’s grief, Rosalind’s and Tyler’s fate. Juliette did what she had to do to save Roma, but it broke my heart when she looked back to her past interactions with Tyler. On the other hand, there were some very adorable moments as well, for example when Roma and Juliette get married in secret! And the cute nicknames they have for each other! Oh, my heart…
“I take you, Juliette Cai,” Roma whispered in concentration, ”to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, until…” He looked up as he finished the knot. Paused. When he spoke again, he did not look away. "No, scratch that. To have and to hold, where even death cannot part us. In this life and the next, for however long our souls remain, mine will always find yours. Those are my vows to you.”
“I take you, Juliette Cai,” Roma whispered in concentration, ”to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, until…” He looked up as he finished the knot. Paused. When he spoke again, he did not look away. "No, scratch that. To have and to hold, where even death cannot part us. In this life and the next, for however long our souls remain, mine will always find yours. Those are my vows to you.”
"Together or not at all, dorogaya," Roma whispered back. "I'm with you if we run. I'm with you if we fight."
No, I’m not crying. You’re crying!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Colonisation, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and Xenophobia
jessiereads98's review
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.
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.
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.
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
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