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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Chloe Gong knows what I think about. This was easily my most anticipated read of last year—as soon as I heard the premise, I tripped over myself to preorder it. It was like Gong peeked into my diary and took my every literary desire I had and used them as the premise of These Violent Delights. Romeo and Juliet, but make it a lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies story set in 1920s Shanghai? Monsters, both literally and figuratively at every turn? Yes, yes, yes and thank you.
That said, I feel like my very high expectations may have set me up for some disappointment. Though Gong renders Shakespeare’s familiar characters in refreshing yet true-to-form ways, the through-lines of Romeo and Juliet (namely the bulk of Juliette and Roma’s history together) take place before the start of the book. Readers are left to build the story of the rival gangs and their main players from the breadcrumbs Gong leaves behind.
For this reason, I found it somewhat difficult to stay rooted in the book’s main plot of defeating an illness wrecking the city. I found that, whenever the characters reminisced on time’s past, my attention would wander aggressively. I had to re-read pages more often than not, which made this an exceptionally longer reading experience than I would have preferred. I can’t help but wish that we had the opportunity to see Roma and Juliette’s first encounter and early romance in real-time instead of through the jaded lens of nostalgia—it may have provided more opportunities for show rather than tell.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book and eagerly await the sequel. Gong has an exceptional talent for describing characters and including details that make her world feel lush and specific. The atmosphere she built is full of tension and angst so thick you could cut it with a knife. Truly, young talent at its finest.
That said, I feel like my very high expectations may have set me up for some disappointment. Though Gong renders Shakespeare’s familiar characters in refreshing yet true-to-form ways, the through-lines of Romeo and Juliet (namely the bulk of Juliette and Roma’s history together) take place before the start of the book. Readers are left to build the story of the rival gangs and their main players from the breadcrumbs Gong leaves behind.
For this reason, I found it somewhat difficult to stay rooted in the book’s main plot of defeating an illness wrecking the city. I found that, whenever the characters reminisced on time’s past, my attention would wander aggressively. I had to re-read pages more often than not, which made this an exceptionally longer reading experience than I would have preferred. I can’t help but wish that we had the opportunity to see Roma and Juliette’s first encounter and early romance in real-time instead of through the jaded lens of nostalgia—it may have provided more opportunities for show rather than tell.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book and eagerly await the sequel. Gong has an exceptional talent for describing characters and including details that make her world feel lush and specific. The atmosphere she built is full of tension and angst so thick you could cut it with a knife. Truly, young talent at its finest.
Tw, if you have any issues with bugs, gore and the unnerving descriptions of bodily fluids DON'T READ. It was not a fun experience for people who have those issues. If not bothered by that you'll enjoy the story and it's intracies.
⭐️⭐️
Honestly, I was so so excited for this Romeo and Juliet love story but I just could not get into it. I feel like, for me, the monsters did not fit in with the love story. Some stories should just be left alone. However, I did kind of like the characters. I really enjoyed getting to know them, and especially them speaking about their struggles with being the heir. Next to that, I really do not have that much to say about this book.
I am not planning on ever reading the rest of the series. Would I recommend this? I mean, if you enjoy fantasy a lot and you like it when they combine a legendary love story with monsters? Then yes. Otherwise, probably not. But what can I say, this is my opinion and everyone is different. I'm not really that into fantasy unless the story really just catches me. This was not it.
2024 reread
4 stars
Juliette and Roma are both the heirs of the two gangs of Shanghai. But now that the madness has broken out, Juliette and Roma are sent to figure it out. With their history, they decide to team up.
So, this was a reread for me, but I must say that the first time I read this, I had barely started my reading journey. When I read this in 2021, I gave this book two stars because I didn’t get the plot. Now, rereading this three years later and very deep into my reading journey, I must admit that I couldn’t put this book down. I read this during exam season, which was one of the worst decisions since I didn’t have the time to pick it up or binge it constantly. I fell in love with the characters. I felt their relationships through the pages. I need to know more about so many people. I want to see more about their lives and how everything continues. Said, I am beyond excited to read These Violent Ends soon.
Honestly, I was so so excited for this Romeo and Juliet love story but I just could not get into it. I feel like, for me, the monsters did not fit in with the love story. Some stories should just be left alone. However, I did kind of like the characters. I really enjoyed getting to know them, and especially them speaking about their struggles with being the heir. Next to that, I really do not have that much to say about this book.
I am not planning on ever reading the rest of the series. Would I recommend this? I mean, if you enjoy fantasy a lot and you like it when they combine a legendary love story with monsters? Then yes. Otherwise, probably not. But what can I say, this is my opinion and everyone is different. I'm not really that into fantasy unless the story really just catches me. This was not it.
2024 reread
4 stars
Juliette and Roma are both the heirs of the two gangs of Shanghai. But now that the madness has broken out, Juliette and Roma are sent to figure it out. With their history, they decide to team up.
So, this was a reread for me, but I must say that the first time I read this, I had barely started my reading journey. When I read this in 2021, I gave this book two stars because I didn’t get the plot. Now, rereading this three years later and very deep into my reading journey, I must admit that I couldn’t put this book down. I read this during exam season, which was one of the worst decisions since I didn’t have the time to pick it up or binge it constantly. I fell in love with the characters. I felt their relationships through the pages. I need to know more about so many people. I want to see more about their lives and how everything continues. Said, I am beyond excited to read These Violent Ends soon.
4.5 this was so good omg, i loved the plot and the characters, juliette >>>
only reason it isn’t a 5 star read is bc the pacing was a bit slow sometimes
only reason it isn’t a 5 star read is bc the pacing was a bit slow sometimes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOOOOOOOOOOD. I don't even have the words. Everything was amazing. The plot???? amazing, i was on the edge of my seat. the characters???? they're all asboltely incredible and i would die for any of them. It was an one of the best shakspeare adaptations that I've read and I loved how much it kinda strayed away from the actual plot of romeo and juliet. The romance???????????????? jaw dropping world shattering I'm floored. I couldn't handle it. I had to like stop listening for a bit and take a breather because oh my GOSH. and the ENDING????? I lost my mind. I have yet to recover. The plot twist was done perfectly like I audibly gasped.