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dinkumbird's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Shanghai is being overrun by a mysterious madness that causes people to rip their own throats out. The rival gangs, Scarlets and the White Flowers continue with their decades old feud while also fighting the new threat of communism. In the middle of the chaos are Roma Montagov, the heir to the White Flowers, and Juliette Cai, the American educated princess of Shanghai and heir to the Scarlets. As madness takes over the city Roma and Juliette have to work together in order to stop the madness before it destroys both the gangs.
I loved the setting of this book, 1920s Shanghai. The descriptions were so good that I could practiacally see the city in my mind. I also enjoyed the parallels of the city and Juliette herself. Both are grappling with their identities as Western influence is taking over.
I also likes a lot of the characters and the similarities between Roma and Juliette. Both are seen as the heirs to the outside world but are still fighting for their rights as heirs within the gangs and both struggle with aspects of their jobs. They also both have a core group of friends who are also pretty fleshed out characters.
This book is also told from several points of view which really helps the reader get a feel for different parts of the city and learn more inforamtion about the madness.
I enjoyed this book and am really glad I read it after the second one came out because of that cliffhanger ending. I am currently on my way to the bookstore to pick up Our Violent Ends
I loved the setting of this book, 1920s Shanghai. The descriptions were so good that I could practiacally see the city in my mind. I also enjoyed the parallels of the city and Juliette herself. Both are grappling with their identities as Western influence is taking over.
I also likes a lot of the characters and the similarities between Roma and Juliette. Both are seen as the heirs to the outside world but are still fighting for their rights as heirs within the gangs and both struggle with aspects of their jobs. They also both have a core group of friends who are also pretty fleshed out characters.
This book is also told from several points of view which really helps the reader get a feel for different parts of the city and learn more inforamtion about the madness.
I enjoyed this book and am really glad I read it after the second one came out because of that cliffhanger ending. I am currently on my way to the bookstore to pick up Our Violent Ends
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Death of parent
yvonne_cl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, and Gun violence
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, and Murder
hiraeth_'s review against another edition
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 :).
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 :).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Violence, Torture, Sexism, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Colonisation, and Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent and Misogyny
clairew97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gore, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Death, Violence, Torture, Grief, Abandonment, Misogyny, Gun violence, Alcohol, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
namenotimportant's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Death of parent, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Writing: 5⭐️/5
The writing is both natural and elegant, making the most violent of scenes read smoothly and cleanly. I really enjoyed how the writing read, both technically and artistically.
Characters: 5⭐️/5
The characters are based on “Romeo and Juliet,” so, while she pays homage to these original characters in her retelling, Gong manages to make each one feel new. Juliette – unlike her Shakespearan counterpart – is largely independent and unreserved, constantly questioning her father, making demands of her family, and challenging established systems. Roma, based on Romeo, shares his namesake’s penchant for sensitivity and eloquence. The secondary characters used their shared traits to their advantage, gaining more characterization through their connections rather than less.
Plot: 5⭐️/5
Again, it’s a sort of retelling, so the plot points are predetermined, and yet the ways in which Gong uses those preestablished moments to add to her unique tale is adeptly handled. I loved the nods towards the Shakespearan play – telling someone his name was Montague while undercover, the fight scene at the start where someone utters, “I don’t know what that means,” the **SPOILERS** “death” of Marshall, who is Mercutio reincarnate. All of these were heavily enjoyable but not overdone.
Post-Reading Rating: 5⭐️/5
Amazing. Want to read it again for the first time.
Who Should Read This?
- Fans of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet
- Fantasy meets mystery fans
- Readers looking for a Chinese mythology-influenced story
CW: Blood, Violence, Gun Violence, Parental abuse, death, colonisation
Final Rating: 5⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Colonisation, Gun violence, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Blood, Medical trauma, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol and Fire/Fire injury
bagheera29's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Blood
directorpurry's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Medical content and Death of parent
sydneyluxford's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
BRO, THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD!!!!
I was invested in the plot from start to finish. I loved it so much. My only complaint is that, for a Romeo and Juliet retelling, there was a lack of romance between Juliette and Roma until the very end. BUT, the romance we did get had me absolutely swooning for both of them.
I was invested in the plot from start to finish. I loved it so much. My only complaint is that, for a Romeo and Juliet retelling, there was a lack of romance between Juliette and Roma until the very end. BUT, the romance we did get had me absolutely swooning for both of them.
“The stars incline us, they do not bind us.” 😞😞😞
I really hope the sequel does not end how I think it’ll end otherwise I will cry myself to sleep for the rest of my life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Alcohol, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent and Medical content
mwineinger's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, Death, Body horror, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent