A review by mattiedancer
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

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

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