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sarahmreads's review against another edition
dark
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
EVERYONE NEEDS TO SHUT UP AND GO PREORDER THIS BOOK! I AM IN TEARS!
Shanghai is crumbling to pieces. After Juliette sacrifices her relationship with Roma to keep him safe from the blood feud, Juliette now finds herself in a precarious position in fighting for the title of heir to the Scarlets. Roma is reeling from a betrayal most foul, he will stop at nothing to get revenge, even if that means killing Juliette. However, the threat of the monster still looms above Shanghai, and the two will be forced to work together again. Will they save their beloved city and themselves, or will other violent ends find them?
I cannot express in words how beautiful and painful this book was. Let's start from the beginning. I read the first book around the time it came out and I thought it was okay. I had some hopes, but wasn't sure I would pick up the sequel. I was quickly proven wrong because this might be one of the best sequels I've read this year.
Roma and Juliette I feel really come into their own roles, especially with their parallels in the classic Shakespeare play. Juliette realizes that not everything she has is what she wants, and what she doesn't have is what she really wants. Roma manages to grow past his hatred for Juliette... again. But they both had some beautiful moments together, even when they both thought they still "hated" each other. There was also a great line in there somewhere about having knives in bed and I'm still reeling from it.
The real stars of the show, in my opinion, were Benedikt and Marshall. OH MY GOD I've been wanting these two to get together for months now. This book filled my heart with so much hope for them, and seeing their own growth apart from each other hurt me so much. But them being reunited gave me all the love I've needed these last few months. Their arcs were done tremendously well and I applaud Chloe for that. I have cried at all of their scenes and I was not disappointed.
I felt like Kathleen had more of her own moments to shine than Rosalind, but regardless I think she still had some good times to shine through, especially with her own growth outside of the Scarlet Gang. Overall, I'm neutral about their growth.
In terms of plot, I thought it was decently fast paced. Do I think that the whole "re-emergence of the monster" plot was put too much in the background? Yes. Am I mad it was overshadowed by political riots and disruption? Absolutely not. I'm usually not one for political intrigue in a book, but this was done so well that I really felt for the rage and fury that Juliette had for her own city being destroyed before her eyes, because of forces she cannot control. It really mimics what happened in history at that time, and tied it right into the lives of the main characters enough that it could not be ignored. And in the end, it didn't become a fight to stop the Nationalists and the Communists. It was more a "we need to save ourselves because we can't stop this," and I really love that take on it. We don't see that a lot in YA books these days, where protagonists are set on demolishing evil political powers. It's refreshing to see this take such a different approach and yet still have it really fit the characters.
I also just really loved Chloe's style of writing?? It's done so beautifully well and I think it finally hit me how good stylistically this sequel was. I really felt myself among the streets with the Scarlets and the White Flowers in Shanghai and felt every single emotion these characters felt. It was so impactful on me as a reader.
Our Violent Ends far surpasses its legendary predecessor and will make you cry. Chloe Gong, you mastermind, I cannot wait to see what else you have in store for us. Oh, and bring your tissues for this one.
I received a copy of this book as an e-arc from NetGalley. Any and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Shanghai is crumbling to pieces. After Juliette sacrifices her relationship with Roma to keep him safe from the blood feud, Juliette now finds herself in a precarious position in fighting for the title of heir to the Scarlets. Roma is reeling from a betrayal most foul, he will stop at nothing to get revenge, even if that means killing Juliette. However, the threat of the monster still looms above Shanghai, and the two will be forced to work together again. Will they save their beloved city and themselves, or will other violent ends find them?
I cannot express in words how beautiful and painful this book was. Let's start from the beginning. I read the first book around the time it came out and I thought it was okay. I had some hopes, but wasn't sure I would pick up the sequel. I was quickly proven wrong because this might be one of the best sequels I've read this year.
Roma and Juliette I feel really come into their own roles, especially with their parallels in the classic Shakespeare play. Juliette realizes that not everything she has is what she wants, and what she doesn't have is what she really wants. Roma manages to grow past his hatred for Juliette... again. But they both had some beautiful moments together, even when they both thought they still "hated" each other. There was also a great line in there somewhere about having knives in bed and I'm still reeling from it.
The real stars of the show, in my opinion, were Benedikt and Marshall. OH MY GOD I've been wanting these two to get together for months now. This book filled my heart with so much hope for them, and seeing their own growth apart from each other hurt me so much. But them being reunited gave me all the love I've needed these last few months. Their arcs were done tremendously well and I applaud Chloe for that. I have cried at all of their scenes and I was not disappointed.
I felt like Kathleen had more of her own moments to shine than Rosalind, but regardless I think she still had some good times to shine through, especially with her own growth outside of the Scarlet Gang. Overall, I'm neutral about their growth.
In terms of plot, I thought it was decently fast paced. Do I think that the whole "re-emergence of the monster" plot was put too much in the background? Yes. Am I mad it was overshadowed by political riots and disruption? Absolutely not. I'm usually not one for political intrigue in a book, but this was done so well that I really felt for the rage and fury that Juliette had for her own city being destroyed before her eyes, because of forces she cannot control. It really mimics what happened in history at that time, and tied it right into the lives of the main characters enough that it could not be ignored. And in the end, it didn't become a fight to stop the Nationalists and the Communists. It was more a "we need to save ourselves because we can't stop this," and I really love that take on it. We don't see that a lot in YA books these days, where protagonists are set on demolishing evil political powers. It's refreshing to see this take such a different approach and yet still have it really fit the characters.
I also just really loved Chloe's style of writing?? It's done so beautifully well and I think it finally hit me how good stylistically this sequel was. I really felt myself among the streets with the Scarlets and the White Flowers in Shanghai and felt every single emotion these characters felt. It was so impactful on me as a reader.
Our Violent Ends far surpasses its legendary predecessor and will make you cry. Chloe Gong, you mastermind, I cannot wait to see what else you have in store for us. Oh, and bring your tissues for this one.
I received a copy of this book as an e-arc from NetGalley. Any and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Self harm and Suicide attempt
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