Reviews with content warning for Sexism - These Violent Delights

Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

54 reviews

ppixxie's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This take on Romeo and Juliet is so fun and refreshing! I really loved all the characters, the setting, and the mystery in the book. The romance and tension between Roma and Juliette was fun to read too. Definitely gonna read the second book when I can 😌

I loved the body horror + gore in this book but definitely check people's cw beforehand if you need it!

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laurajeangrace's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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booksanna's review

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adventurous dark emotional funny 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? It's complicated

4.75

This book has a brilliant world building and imagery. it really feels like you are in Shanghai, from culture to stalls I could feel the city’s booming setting. You could almost smell the food from the food stalls, feel the anger of factory workers, hear the booming voices of foreigners and natives, and almsot see the lgiths of Shanghai as the story progresses. I also loved the political and economic developement in the story, it really felt athentic and well-written. As for the main characters, I really like the way Romeo and Juliet plot has been intervined with the story, yet it was also seperate as well. The story was so much more unique and special with the different plot changes. I loved the multiple points of view of characters that made the story so captivating. The pacing was well written and interesting. And I loved the multiple langauges(as a person with decent understanding of Russian, anytime Roma said dorogaya I went head over heels :)) included int he story showing the cultural diversity of Shangahai. Overall a great read. The only reason it’s not 0.25 is the monster. I thought it was a nice touch to a add a mythical aspect to original Romeo and Juliet, however, the intricate details of the moster sometimes confused me :(. But that is partly my fault, so the book is magnificent despite the confusing moments!

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ashybear02's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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hiraeth_'s review

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really loved the concept of the story and the different characters. Because the story is set in Shanghai in the 1900s and I haven't read many books about that, it took me a while to get used to the setting but in the end i couldn't put the book down. The author's mixing of fantastic and "real" elements felt very natural as well as the balance between mystery, action, political and family related themes and romance.

Personally I would've preferred it if there was a little bit more clarity in the different storylines and mysteries, but I guess that is also the appeal of this book. Still, at times it felt a little bit all over the place. I also wished we knew more about Juliette's and Roma's relationship before she left Shanghai. That would've made their story even more interesting and authentic.

Also, for the ppl who want to read it bc it is marketed as a romeo and julia retelling: there are many elements that are similar, but i would say it is a very loose and vague retelling :).

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dxisymitch's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

4.5

"They fool themselves. These heirs think themselves kings and queens, sitting on a throne of gold and overlooking a glittering, wealthy empire. They are not. They are criminals - criminals at the top of an empire of thieves and drug lords and pimps, preparing to inherit a broken, terrible, defeated thing that looks upon them in sadness. Shanghai knows. It has always known."

These Violent Delights is a stunning retelling of Romeo and Juliet. The novel echoes the original story through cleverly named characters (Roma instead of Romeo, Tyler instead of Tybalt, Benedikt instead of Benvolio...) and similar themes of love amongst death and tragedy, while paving its own path through the unique complexities of war, colonialism, loyalty, and betrayal. Amidst this is an intriguing supernatural mystery surrounding a monster and a contagious madness that causes the deaths of many across the city.

Chloe Gong's style of prose is beautiful, and wonderfully suited to a story that constantly juxtaposes beauty and violence, love and betrayal. Juliette struggles with the love she has for her gang and her city, and the hideousness that exists within them. In fact, Shanghai is as much of a character as Roma and Juliette, looming over their heads as they grapple to keep it out of the hands of foreigners.

"This is what this city did to lovers. It tossed blame around like a slick coat of blood, mixing and merging with everything else until it had left its stain."

While These Violent Delights does center around Roma and Juliette, I hesitate to identify it as primarily romance. Most of the book depicts them investigating the madness and putting an end to the death it causes. Overall, I give this book a 4.5/5, only because I found the beginning a little slow and difficult to get into.

"Hope was the most vicious evil of them all, the thing that had managed to thrive in Pandora's box among misery, and disease, and sadness - and what could endure alongside others with such teeth if it didn't have ghastly claws of its own?"

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pun1sher's review

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adventurous emotional tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Objectively this books has its flaws like predictable and not very advanced plot or kinda confusing magic. However at the time I've read it I loved it enough to give it 5 stars so I'm staying at that. Compelling characters, flowery language, immaculate setting, great romance. Chloe Gong has the potential to become one of the best authors out there soon if she keeps her work up

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