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A review by em14randa
Our Violent Ends by Chloe Gong
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
5.0
I have finished this duology, and it left me staring at a wall long after I finished the second book. I fear I will never recover. This is my new favorite series, both 6 ⭐️ reads, everything was perfect about them.
These Violent Delights is set in 1920s Shanghai, where a madness seems to be spreading. In an effort to find out where this madness is coming from and what it is, Roma seeks the help of his enemy, Juliette. Roma and Juliette, once lovers long ago, are the heirs of the two rival gangs that rule Shanghai, the Scarlets and the White Flowers. This is a Romeo and Juliet retelling full of adventure, betrayal, plot twists, tragedy, and mystery.
I loved each of the characters. They were all very complex and developed, each one having their own mindset and goals and special place in the story. My favorite character was Juliette, especially since she reminded me a lot of Annabeth Chase from Percy Jackson; she was very calculated, resourceful, and witty. The tension between Roma and Juliette was so taut, and it was a TRUE enemies to lovers that had me giggling and kicking my feet as if I were reading a rom com. Well, it was more like lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers throughout both books.
The writing is definitely a hit or miss for some people. I personally loved it, but it’s very unique, being in a third person omniscient POV. Chloe Gong’s writing felt very much like a movie on paper, and that’s what sold it for me. Which makes me wonder WHEN ARE THEY MAKING A MOVIE ON THIS?! This book would be a perfect candidate for a movie, and I would love to see an adaptation of it.
Tropes:
- lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers
- morally grey characters
- slowwww burn
- forbidden love
- forced proximity
- mafia/gangster
- retelling (romeo and juliet)
These Violent Delights is set in 1920s Shanghai, where a madness seems to be spreading. In an effort to find out where this madness is coming from and what it is, Roma seeks the help of his enemy, Juliette. Roma and Juliette, once lovers long ago, are the heirs of the two rival gangs that rule Shanghai, the Scarlets and the White Flowers. This is a Romeo and Juliet retelling full of adventure, betrayal, plot twists, tragedy, and mystery.
I loved each of the characters. They were all very complex and developed, each one having their own mindset and goals and special place in the story. My favorite character was Juliette, especially since she reminded me a lot of Annabeth Chase from Percy Jackson; she was very calculated, resourceful, and witty. The tension between Roma and Juliette was so taut, and it was a TRUE enemies to lovers that had me giggling and kicking my feet as if I were reading a rom com. Well, it was more like lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers throughout both books.
The writing is definitely a hit or miss for some people. I personally loved it, but it’s very unique, being in a third person omniscient POV. Chloe Gong’s writing felt very much like a movie on paper, and that’s what sold it for me. Which makes me wonder WHEN ARE THEY MAKING A MOVIE ON THIS?! This book would be a perfect candidate for a movie, and I would love to see an adaptation of it.
Tropes:
- lovers to enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers
- morally grey characters
- slowwww burn
- forbidden love
- forced proximity
- mafia/gangster
- retelling (romeo and juliet)