Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

191 reviews

serendipity421's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Pandemic/Epidemic, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Racism, Violence, Classism, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Cursing

Minor: Vomit

bergha1998's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

3.75

This is a very dynamic book, both the characters and the plot. I knew it to be a Romeo and Juliet retelling in China between gangs. What I didn’t realize before reading it was how much of it revolves around an outbreak. That part of the book feels very fantastical. I also really liked that Roma and Juliet were older and had past history set before the book. 

Dark Romance, LGBTQIA+ Representation, Friends to Lovers to Enemies

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Chronic illness, Body horror, Murder, Drug use, Death of parent, Blood, Torture, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Grief, and Death

archiveofrasa's review

adventurous dark mysterious 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

A solid 4 stars. I can just about see why people disliked this, especially if they're more devout fantasy readers, but it was honestly a fun ride for me. The writing is absolutely gorgeous and I think this book proved to me that I will eat anything up if the prose sounds nice. This will probably break down if I put my literacy hat on, but it's off for now to let my brain rest lol

Admittedly, I think I would've been more invested in Juliette and Roma had there been flashbacks to them falling in love. I think they're both interesting characters in their own right and the complexities of their relationship are entertaining, so I hope they further develop in the sequel!

The fact the plot drove me more was surprising since I am ultimately a character person at heart, but the setting did a lot for me. I don't mind if there are better representations out there, I very much enjoyed it here. Can't wait to get back into it in the sequel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, and Death

Moderate: Blood, Transphobia, and Racism

Minor: Medical content, Death of parent, and Torture

shelvesofivy's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Body horror, Xenophobia, Alcohol, and Medical content

Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Death of parent

emilywemily6's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I absolutely loved this book and bought the rest of Gong’s work because of it. This story is such a unique retelling with little hints of Shakespeare while being entirely its own thing. I loved the combination of gangster blood feuds, political intrigue, a mysterious madness sweeping the city, and a touch of romantic tension. The characters are vibrant yet morally grey and very interesting. Although it was on the longer side, I enjoyed every minute of it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Blood, Child death, Classism, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, Gore, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Violence, Body horror, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny

Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, and Medical content

Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, and Homophobia

so_hull's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Death, Death of parent, and Blood

hellodebbies's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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

Coup de cœur de l'année 💗

De l’histoire aux personnages, j’ai tout adoré ! L'élucidation du mystère était si bien exécuté, chaque chapitre me tenait en haleine et quand le livre a finalement pris fin... j’avais besoin de plus. Sérieusement, mes amis et moi avons comparé ce livre à une du crack parce qu'on en voulez enc re plus. 
Les personnages étaient incroyables et adorables à mort, les plaisanteries de Juliet et Roma étaient impeccables, la tension était si forte et la trope ennemis des amoureux étaient parfaits. 
L’édition française a des GROS problèmes avec leur traduction, mais dans l’ensemble, c’était bien malgré qu'il y ait beaucoup de sur traduction qui empêche l'audience visée de lire ce lire. Je me demande vraiment comment le traducteur peut faire un travail de qualité et ensuite le ruiner en traduisant incorrectement les phrases les plus simples ??? 

Fav of the year ! 
From the story to characters, I loved everything ! The mystery was so good and well executed, I was on the edge every chapters and when it finally ended...I needed more. Seriously, my friends compared this book to an addiction because you want more of it. 
The characters were incredible and loveable to death, Juliet et Roma's banters were immaculate, the tension was so thick and the ennemies to lovers was perfect. 
The french edition has some BIG issues with their translation but overall it was good but I am wondering how can the translator do such a job and then ruined it by translating incorrectly the EASIEST sentences ??? 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Blood, Death of parent, Death, and Gun violence

Moderate: Grief and Transphobia

prashiie's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

“A love like theirs was never going to survive in a city divided by hatred.”

It took me a while to really get into the story and the insects and how they are described deserve a trigger warning! At first it was disgusting to read about the insects and it grossed me out, but luckily it got better.

This story is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, set in Shanghai in the year 1926. The main characters Juliette and Roma are the heirs of feuding families and are expected to put their own family and gang first. But something weird is happening in Shanghai and it’s up to them to protect the city, together. However, from the start it is clear that there is some bad history between them.

“She could have reminded him of what he did four years ago, pushed the blade of guilt in until he was bleeding.”

As the story proceeds, we get to know what happened between them. They are both interesting and strong characters. I also really liked Marshall and Celia!

What shocked me the most is China’s political turmoil at that time and how much racism Chinese people faced by foreigners not only in America, but even in their own country. I could sense the resentment the author feels, rightfully so!

“Foreigners built parks and demanded the Chinese keep out. They poured funds into the city, and though China was never formally a colony, that was precisely what was going on in Shanghai: segment after segment being colonized.”

I’m glad to have read this book, because the background of this story was very educational! Now I’m curious to learn more about the history of Asia.

I’m so happy Marshall is still alive. I was ready to give up on this series when Juliette shot him… Great twist, Chloe Gong :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Homophobia, Deadnaming, Xenophobia, Violence, Stalking, Sexism, Racism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Colonisation

Moderate: Transphobia, Drug use, and Grief

Minor: War, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Alcoholism

Beware of a detailed description of insects attacking humans!

caseythereader's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Medical content, Murder, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Grief, Gun violence, Colonisation, Death of parent, Gore, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Transphobia and Racism

akane_readsyt's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Violence, Gun violence, Gore, Blood, and Body horror

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol

Minor: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Transphobia, Racism, Police brutality, Child abuse, Dysphoria, and Body shaming