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rachrreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
These Violent Delights is set in Shanghai in the 1920s. Roma Montagov is the son and heir to the to White Flowers, a gang that rose from the bottom to the prominence they have today. Their rival gang, the Scarlet Gang has been ruling Shanghai for decades. Juliette Cai has just returned from America, and as heir to the Scarlet Gang, she is ruthless.
Soon after, a monster is on the loose wreaking havoc among the city. People are falling dead in droves and the contagion is spreading like wildfire. Juliette realizes that to put an end to this, the Scarlets and White Flowers must pool together. Otherwise, the gangs will die out and the Communists and foreigners will take over.
I picked up this book not really knowing much about it. I had read the synopsis in the past, but never thought much about it. I even had to ask a friend “wait, is this a Romeo and Juliet retelling?” while reading the first few chapters. LOL. I’m glad I went into it with no knowledge or expectations, because otherwise I likely would’ve put it off longer.
This book was a MASTERPIECE. Chloe Gong, thank you for this wonderful, painful, masterly crafted book. I cannot wait for book 2. The romance between Roma and Juliette was absolutely squeal worthy. I found myself screaming so many times over their interactions.
THAT COAT SCENE WAS SO HOT PLEASE
Soon after, a monster is on the loose wreaking havoc among the city. People are falling dead in droves and the contagion is spreading like wildfire. Juliette realizes that to put an end to this, the Scarlets and White Flowers must pool together. Otherwise, the gangs will die out and the Communists and foreigners will take over.
I picked up this book not really knowing much about it. I had read the synopsis in the past, but never thought much about it. I even had to ask a friend “wait, is this a Romeo and Juliet retelling?” while reading the first few chapters. LOL. I’m glad I went into it with no knowledge or expectations, because otherwise I likely would’ve put it off longer.
This book was a MASTERPIECE. Chloe Gong, thank you for this wonderful, painful, masterly crafted book. I cannot wait for book 2. The romance between Roma and Juliette was absolutely squeal worthy. I found myself screaming so many times over their interactions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexism, Violence, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death of parent, Medical content, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, and Stalking
Minor: Alcoholism
iviarelle's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is cheesy as heck and I love it. Just mind the content warnings, I'm sure my list isn't comprehensive but check out the main book page's lists, as there's very little this book doesn't get real squicky about. Especially something the content warnings don't include by default: bugs. If you freak out at those "bugs growing inside someone" urban legends, either prepare yourself for some nausea or consider avoiding this one.
These Violent Delights won't be to everyone's tastes, especially if you're the kind of person who reads "What was your name again? Peter? Paris?" "Paul." and rolls your eyes. Every major named character in Romeo and Juliet has a different name here and a slightly different purpose to the story.
But, for all that: I love what Gong has done with each and every one of them, though there are too many for me to list here. I also specifically love that Rosaline is NOT guesting as "Sir Not Appearing In This Film" and actually plays a role along with her trans fraternal twin, Kathleen. There are a lot of twists to the original work here and it's really interesting to me how Gong plays with our expectations, from start to finish.
And I gotta say, I fell for every misdirect and I loved it. Sometimes I start overthinking and figure things out too soon, but this really kept me on my toes until the very end.
But, for all that: I love what Gong has done with each and every one of them, though there are too many for me to list here. I also specifically love that Rosaline is NOT guesting as "Sir Not Appearing In This Film" and actually plays a role along with her trans fraternal twin, Kathleen. There are a lot of twists to the original work here and it's really interesting to me how Gong plays with our expectations, from start to finish.
And I gotta say, I fell for every misdirect and I loved it. Sometimes I start overthinking and figure things out too soon, but this really kept me on my toes until the very end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Gun violence, Medical content, Murder, Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Police brutality, Racism, Transphobia, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Xenophobia
Bugs. Bugs growing inside people. If you get at all squicked out (or worse) by bugs, you will encounter a whole lot of nausea here.annescorner's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Loved the characters - they were flawed but strong.
Loved the way Mandarin was incorporated in the novel, as well as Shanghai's historical background.
There was so much suspense that my fingers were itching.
The ending was great - though heartbreaking, sad and horrifying. It makes me look forward to book to!
Loved the way Mandarin was incorporated in the novel, as well as Shanghai's historical background.
There was so much suspense that my fingers were itching.
The ending was great - though heartbreaking, sad and horrifying. It makes me look forward to book to!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Death, and Drug abuse
Minor: Cursing
emberysing's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, and Xenophobia
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