by Chloe Gong
Release Date: November 17, 2020; Margaret K. McElderry Books
About the book:
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.
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
“And you love him enough to have him hate you.”
Mind. Blown.
I don't know how exactly to put into words what I'm feeling right now- I'm feeling quite A LOT- but know this: I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK I DON'T KNOW HOW I'LL EVER RECOVER.
These Violent Delights is aptly titled if I do say so myself. It's the perfect blend of violence and delightful writing. The beautiful, addictive prose! The magnificent cover! The brilliance! The 1920s depiction of Shanghai that is both brutal and yet enchanting! All. The. Feels. THE FEELS. I don't know how Chloe Gong did it but I. Want. More. I NEED MORE.
All the things this beautiful, terrifying, brilliant book put me through. I can't.
I'm gonna be honest, this review is going nowhere. I suck at writing reviews for books I love. Wait, scratch that. I suck at writing reviews for books I'm OBSESSED with. And These Violent Delights is definitely an obsession. What am I to do with my life now?!
I love Juliette for being unapologetically herself. She's so badass I want to be her bestfriend. Roma is just breaking and melding my heart with his Roma-ness. I'm in love with his Roma-ness. Marshall and Benedikt were perfect. PERFECT. I want more Kathleen. Tyler can just keel over and die.
Chloe Gong created a world filled to the brim with violence, excitement, intrigue and FEELS. All the feels I don't know what to do with.
I am in desperate need of book two.
I received an e-arc via Netgalley to read and review.
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