marylu412 's review for:

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

4.0

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This book immediately drew me in with its atmospheric and suspenseful elements. Chloe Gong really brought 1920s Shanghai to life, making it feel both glamorous and dangerous. The story’s mix of gang rivalry, politics, and a mysterious plague kept me turning the pages. Juliette stood out as a strong, complex character, and I enjoyed watching her navigate loyalty, power, and her complicated past with Roma. Their relationship was a mix of love, betrayal, and uneasy teamwork, which made the story feel even more real and emotional. 

There were a few parts where the story slowed down, and I wish some of the world-building had been explained sooner. These things didn’t ruin the book for me, but they did make it feel a bit uneven in places. Even so, I thought the mix of history, romance, and fantasy worked really well and felt different from other YA books I’ve read. 

Overall, it’s moody, romantic, and full of intrigue, and I can definitely see why so many readers are obsessed with this duology. I’ll be picking up the sequel soon for sure!