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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
I gotta say this is one of the better YA novels I’ve read in recent memory. Everything from the characters to the setting to the plot is substantial and worth caring about. If you’re looking for a semi-mystery semi-romance novel, this is the one for you.
The scenes were set so well with incredible care for detail and, consequently, created a mental picture akin to that of Gotham city in terms of mood. Throughout the read my mind, was bathed in the dark lamplight of a dark 1920s cityscape filled to the brim with shadow and crime.
The characters themselves did not disappoint: Juliette and Roma, as well as their close friends and relatives, all had distinct personalities as well as believable internal struggles and cares that made it more than easy to become invested in scenes with any of the characters—even if some weren’t the main focus of the story.
Above all the writing and focus on the lifestyle of our protagonists shines brightest with constant attention to detail concerning languages, dialects, voices and social interactions between varying cultures. With such details as these, the world feels all the more real in a way that is not too detail-oriented but justly rooted in the reality of a city of meshing countries and people.
The scenes were set so well with incredible care for detail and, consequently, created a mental picture akin to that of Gotham city in terms of mood. Throughout the read my mind, was bathed in the dark lamplight of a dark 1920s cityscape filled to the brim with shadow and crime.
The characters themselves did not disappoint: Juliette and Roma, as well as their close friends and relatives, all had distinct personalities as well as believable internal struggles and cares that made it more than easy to become invested in scenes with any of the characters—even if some weren’t the main focus of the story.
Above all the writing and focus on the lifestyle of our protagonists shines brightest with constant attention to detail concerning languages, dialects, voices and social interactions between varying cultures. With such details as these, the world feels all the more real in a way that is not too detail-oriented but justly rooted in the reality of a city of meshing countries and people.
Chloe Gong really ate with this book. I haven’t read a YA Fantasy in a minute, and this book really reminded me why I love the genre so much. The plot was so rich, and the romance was such a good slow burn. Scenes in this book played out like I was watching a movie in my head. LIKE IT WAS SO HARD TO PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. Some parts of the storyline were predictable and I definitely recognized some tropes from other YA fantasy novels especially in the beginning of the storyline, but the book was still a good read nonetheless.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
(3⭐️) Was it interesting? I guess so. Was it interesting enough for me to read the second book? No <3
2.5
Very much enjoyed the idea of the book. Loved the setting and the writing style.
Sadly, I did not connect to a single character. I just didn't care. Furthermore, the romance just didn't do it for me. As I said, I neither cared about Juliette nor Roma. I also did not feel their connection at all.
I do not know what it was, but the plot just felt so slow. It was very hard for me to get through this book. The last few pages were especially exhausting, I don't even know why.
Very much enjoyed the idea of the book. Loved the setting and the writing style.
Sadly, I did not connect to a single character. I just didn't care. Furthermore, the romance just didn't do it for me. As I said, I neither cared about Juliette nor Roma. I also did not feel their connection at all.
I do not know what it was, but the plot just felt so slow. It was very hard for me to get through this book. The last few pages were especially exhausting, I don't even know why.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Let me just say, Shakespeare would LOVE this take on a Romeo and Juliet retelling. It is so hard to believe that this is Chloe Gong's first novel; her writing style is so sophisticated and beautiful.
I love all our main characters: Roma, Juliette, Marshall, Benedikt, and Kathleen. There is so much diversity, which I love seeing more of in YA books.
Roma and Juliette may be my favorite enemies to lovers couple ever. Their tension was executed so well, and their conflicting thoughts about each other were amazing to read. I died at all their scenes. I also thought it was interesting to see how both of them struggled with their positions as the heir of their respective gangs. I like how Juliette was a lot colder, but how she was still feminine and classy. Roma is so oblivious sometimes and he can actually be really sweet, especially with his younger sister. He had a lot of good lines, especially: "I'm Russian, not an alcoholic."
I love Marshall and Benedikt too, how well they contrast each other and how they have actual personalities rather than just falling into the trope of "main boy's sidekicks." I would love to see more of them in the sequel!
Kathleen is amazing, and an absolute badass. I like the diversity in her character, and her backstory is heartbreaking. She is so smart and her and Juliette's friendship is so cute.
The plot of These Violent Delights was pretty slow at the beginning, but about halfway through it really picked up. I like the atmosphere and setting of 1920s Shanghai (plus Chloe said in the Author's Note that she did a ton of research and a lot of the setting and conflict was based on actual Shanghai at this time). Roma and Juliette were such a good pair and it was so fun reading about them working together to stop the madness. So much happened at the end, but it didn't feel forced or rushed. The big reveals definitely had me shocked.
Let me just say, Shakespeare would LOVE this take on a Romeo and Juliet retelling. It is so hard to believe that this is Chloe Gong's first novel; her writing style is so sophisticated and beautiful.
I love all our main characters: Roma, Juliette, Marshall, Benedikt, and Kathleen. There is so much diversity, which I love seeing more of in YA books.
Roma and Juliette may be my favorite enemies to lovers couple ever. Their tension was executed so well, and their conflicting thoughts about each other were amazing to read. I died at all their scenes. I also thought it was interesting to see how both of them struggled with their positions as the heir of their respective gangs. I like how Juliette was a lot colder, but how she was still feminine and classy. Roma is so oblivious sometimes and he can actually be really sweet, especially with his younger sister. He had a lot of good lines, especially: "I'm Russian, not an alcoholic."
I love Marshall and Benedikt too, how well they contrast each other and how they have actual personalities rather than just falling into the trope of "main boy's sidekicks." I would love to see more of them in the sequel!
Kathleen is amazing, and an absolute badass. I like the diversity in her character, and her backstory is heartbreaking. She is so smart and her and Juliette's friendship is so cute.
The plot of These Violent Delights was pretty slow at the beginning, but about halfway through it really picked up. I like the atmosphere and setting of 1920s Shanghai (plus Chloe said in the Author's Note that she did a ton of research and a lot of the setting and conflict was based on actual Shanghai at this time). Roma and Juliette were such a good pair and it was so fun reading about them working together to stop the madness. So much happened at the end, but it didn't feel forced or rushed. The big reveals definitely had me shocked.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
It was really hard to get into this book. Everything was really wordy in places it felt unnecessary. It was also hard to take these characters seriously. They’re all these big bad gangsters with dangerous reputations, yet their actions felt childish and irrational (even on the parent’s end). If you like really slow paced books, this might be for you. Even feeling anything towards the main characters and their romance was tough. I didn’t feel the chemistry between them at all. Marshall and Benedict had more between them than anyone else in this book did.
Romeo and Juliet story with a dark twist. Roma and Juliette must work together to help stop the contagion that is killing gangsters in both of their gangs.
This book includes some historical fiction aspects mixed with romance. Although I don’t usually find historical fiction interesting in a fiction book, I have not come across this in a book mixed with romance. Definitely made the book different and interesting.
The story picked up for me more towards the end of the book. It felt like a slow start and hard to get into for me but was worth preserving as the ending was good and definitely unexpected.
I am glad I picked up this book though as it was different to what I usually read.
This book includes some historical fiction aspects mixed with romance. Although I don’t usually find historical fiction interesting in a fiction book, I have not come across this in a book mixed with romance. Definitely made the book different and interesting.
The story picked up for me more towards the end of the book. It felt like a slow start and hard to get into for me but was worth preserving as the ending was good and definitely unexpected.
I am glad I picked up this book though as it was different to what I usually read.