These Violent Delights
(These Violent Delights #1)
by Chloe Gong
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.
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.
Review
With violence and gore, These Violent Delights isn't what you'd think a Romeo and Juliet retelling would be. I really enjoyed the originality the author injects into the story. It was dark but also full of intrigue.
I can't speak to the accuracy of the time period but having visited Shanghai more than a few times, Chloe Gong really nails the setting. Her description of the sights along the Bund were pretty exact to my memories. It definitely helped in transporting me into These Violent Delights.
While I wasn't a big fan of the gang rivalry I understand it's a key component to the story of Romeo and Juliet. There was definitely a sufficient amount of (gang) politics and (gun) fights. Elements of the monster arc had me grossed out but it undeniably added a layer of mystery (and yuck) to These Violent Delights.
Juliette was not at all what I expected! She was unafraid and decisive despite the turmoil growing within her. "Was it loyalty that created power? Or was loyalty only a symptom, offered when the circumstances were favorable and taken away when the tides turned?" (ARC, p. 216). Besides being a little quick to act, Juliette was a badass! She stood by her beliefs and didn't let anyone bully her into submission.
For a Romeo and Juliet retelling, These Violent Delights, went light on the romance. With a shared past that was painful to recall, Juliette and Roma circled each other cautiously for most of the book. They formed a tentative partnership working together but of course, secrets don't stay hidden for long. "Maybe nothing was as easy as one truth." (ARC, p. 262). When confronted with truths and reality, I found Juliette and Roma's actions and reactions quite convincing.
Despite some initial hesitations about These Violent Delights, I am glad to have read it. As for the sequel, I need to find out Juliette and Roma's fate! What I can't decide on though, is if I want the sequel title to be predictable or to see a twist to it. I hope we find out soon!
*I received an Advance Reading Copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not affected in any way. Any quotes included in my review were taken from the ARC I received.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and reading my posts!