These Violent Delights
Ratings90
Average rating3.7
15
Ratings90
Average rating3.7
Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery.A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang-a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette's first love...and first betrayal.But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns-and grudges-aside and work together, for if they can't stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.
Series
2 primary books3 released booksThese Violent Delights is a 3-book series with 2 primary works first released in 2020 with contributions by Chloe Gong.
Series
3 primary books4 released booksSecret Shanghai is a 4-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2020 with contributions by Chloe Gong and Jacques Collin.
Reviews with the most likes.
Oh my fucking God this book is even better during the second third read
I am not a fan of retelling but I have to say it was a great surprise. This is suppose to be a retelling of Romeo & Juliet and in some aspects it is... but I wish I didn't know. Because it doesn't really add to the story.
Shanghai in the 20s, what an amazing and interesting time to tell a story. Gangs, drug traffic and speakeasy... loved the atmosphere and ended being hooked. You want to solve the mysterious events happening and know more about our heroes pasts. I also learnt a lot about Shanghai and it made me curious to learn more about this city story.
Highly recommend.
A retelling of Romeo and Juliet with Russian and Chinese gangster in Shanghai with an added mysterious monster causing people to rip out their own throats. Sometimes the source material references are a little bit too much on the nose (Roma Montagov and Juliette Cai are not exactly names that leave much to the imagination) but the change of setting and added supernatural elements give a really fun twist to what could have been a dreary romance. The relationship between Juliette and Roma forms the core of this story and it is a well told enemies to lovers story - you get a really good grasp of their emotions, loyalties and frustrations through the course of the book. The Shanghai at the start of the revolution setting adds some extra interesting tension. The fly monster thing is well worked in in a way that doesn't require much in the way of supernatural and gives an air of believability to the whole affair.
I don't know if I expected to enjoy this as much as I eventually did. Romeo and Juliet seems to be something that has been done to death but Chloe Gong has provided some fresh and interesting takes on its concepts.
Featured Prompt
16 booksThe mystery genre favors bringing the truth to light. That focus on revealing a story slowly over time knows no age, yet many stories are too serious for young adults. Which mysteries do you think ...
