Take a photo of a barcode or cover
sonixqst 's review for:
These Violent Delights
by Chloe Gong
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Let me just say, Shakespeare would LOVE this take on a Romeo and Juliet retelling. It is so hard to believe that this is Chloe Gong's first novel; her writing style is so sophisticated and beautiful.
I love all our main characters: Roma, Juliette, Marshall, Benedikt, and Kathleen. There is so much diversity, which I love seeing more of in YA books.
Roma and Juliette may be my favorite enemies to lovers couple ever. Their tension was executed so well, and their conflicting thoughts about each other were amazing to read. I died at all their scenes. I also thought it was interesting to see how both of them struggled with their positions as the heir of their respective gangs. I like how Juliette was a lot colder, but how she was still feminine and classy. Roma is so oblivious sometimes and he can actually be really sweet, especially with his younger sister. He had a lot of good lines, especially: "I'm Russian, not an alcoholic."
I love Marshall and Benedikt too, how well they contrast each other and how they have actual personalities rather than just falling into the trope of "main boy's sidekicks." I would love to see more of them in the sequel!
Kathleen is amazing, and an absolute badass. I like the diversity in her character, and her backstory is heartbreaking. She is so smart and her and Juliette's friendship is so cute.
The plot of These Violent Delights was pretty slow at the beginning, but about halfway through it really picked up. I like the atmosphere and setting of 1920s Shanghai (plus Chloe said in the Author's Note that she did a ton of research and a lot of the setting and conflict was based on actual Shanghai at this time). Roma and Juliette were such a good pair and it was so fun reading about them working together to stop the madness. So much happened at the end, but it didn't feel forced or rushed. The big reveals definitely had me shocked.
Let me just say, Shakespeare would LOVE this take on a Romeo and Juliet retelling. It is so hard to believe that this is Chloe Gong's first novel; her writing style is so sophisticated and beautiful.
I love all our main characters: Roma, Juliette, Marshall, Benedikt, and Kathleen. There is so much diversity, which I love seeing more of in YA books.
Roma and Juliette may be my favorite enemies to lovers couple ever. Their tension was executed so well, and their conflicting thoughts about each other were amazing to read. I died at all their scenes. I also thought it was interesting to see how both of them struggled with their positions as the heir of their respective gangs. I like how Juliette was a lot colder, but how she was still feminine and classy. Roma is so oblivious sometimes and he can actually be really sweet, especially with his younger sister. He had a lot of good lines, especially: "I'm Russian, not an alcoholic."
I love Marshall and Benedikt too, how well they contrast each other and how they have actual personalities rather than just falling into the trope of "main boy's sidekicks." I would love to see more of them in the sequel!
Kathleen is amazing, and an absolute badass. I like the diversity in her character, and her backstory is heartbreaking. She is so smart and her and Juliette's friendship is so cute.
The plot of These Violent Delights was pretty slow at the beginning, but about halfway through it really picked up. I like the atmosphere and setting of 1920s Shanghai (plus Chloe said in the Author's Note that she did a ton of research and a lot of the setting and conflict was based on actual Shanghai at this time). Roma and Juliette were such a good pair and it was so fun reading about them working together to stop the madness. So much happened at the end, but it didn't feel forced or rushed. The big reveals definitely had me shocked.