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A review by dinkumbird
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
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