These Violent Delights is set in 1920s Shanghai. The city is ruled by rival gangs - the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers - but Communism and foreign influences are surging, making their grasp tenuous. Heiress to the Scarlet Gang, Juliette Cai, and heir to the White Flowers, Roma Montagov, have a shared past that they'd rather ignore, but a madness is spreading through the city, causing citizens to claw out their throats to end their suffering. Both gangs are being decimated and Juliette and Roma will have to put city over blood and love over family to work together to find a cure.

I came into this book only knowing it was a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, a story I read 15 years ago in high school (that makes me feel old!). I don't remember much other than star-crossed lovers who die at the end. Beyond some names and the idea of rival families, I didn't find too much of the Shakespeare story in These Violet Delights. So we'll say this is a loose retelling. I almost wish I hadn't known about the connection - I think I would have enjoyed the deviations more.

Juliette is by far the most compelling character in this book. She's tough, shrewd, whip-smart, and fit to run a ruthless gang. Roma...not so much. Roma is a bit of a mystery compared to Juliette. We get lots of insight into Juliette's past and her thoughts on everything from colonialism to fashion. From Roma, we don't get much except that he doesn't really like violence, which is a bummer considering the line of work he's in. Their romance is almost non-existent through the majority of the book, which actually works quite well. As readers, we're able to get indoctrinated into gang life first, which helps to ground the impossibility of their love.

So far, so good, right? Well, then there is the actual monster plot. I didn't love it. It felt unnecessarily complicated. I understand that something is needed to force Juliette and Roma to work together, but the fantasticalness of the monster felt out of place within the larger story and setting. I'm curious to see how this plot develops in the next book, but if I have to judge on just this book, it was all a bit much. Don't get me wrong; These Violent Delights is an impressive debut - there is a lot of interesting information on colonialism, 1920s Chinese culture, and Shanghai specifically, but there are also 15 other plot points beyond that. My hope is that the sequel has more romance and maybe a narrower focus so that we can appreciate the characters and setting more.

Look for this fantastic, fast paced read out now. Set in 1920’s Shanghai, These Violent Delights pairs former lovers now enemies and heirs to rival gangs in a hunt to solve a monstrous killer. Striking fear in the hearts of residents, It lurks in the river; kills by convincing victims to tear out their own throats; and mysteriously disappears. The entire city is on edge as the monster hunts and gangs vie for power with the rising power of European merchants, Nationalist and Communists. Competing for information, influence and to control the solution Juliette Chai and Roma Montagov face deadly secrets, political tension and city-wide unrest while they work to find and defeat the monster, discovering the worst evil may be themselves.

I’m a fool for genre mashups. Romeo & Juliet retold as gangsters in 1920’s Shanghai while a monster gives chase? I am here for it. 9-12 grade students will be, too. A well written story infused with beautiful writing. Fast paced, layered plot and a cast of characters all holding secrets of their own. Get ready for an ending that will leave readers gasping in anticipation for the follow up title. From comments in the acknowledgements, sounds like it will be a duology that will delight readers who will eagerly anticipate the next book.

4.5 Stars

CWs: graphic descriptions of blood, gore, violence, body horror (relating to insects) and self-mutilation (relating to illness); exploration of contagious disease, illness, and familial death; descriptions of murder and gun violence.

Not to be dramatic, but this book is fantastic, and I'm angry about how good it is. To give you an idea of what it did to me, I stayed up well past midnight to read those final chapters and then proceeded to silently scream into the void. I suffered, I loved it, and I would do it again.

"These Violent Delights" is such an inventive re-imagining of "Romeo and Juliet" that rips the story away from fair Verona and drops it right in the middle of 1920's Shanghai while casting the famous star-crossed lovers as heirs to rival gangs. William Shakespeare himself could never have anticipated a re-telling quite like this. It's sharp, atmospheric, intense, and brings new life to the story while fearlessly charging ahead into unchartered territory. Chloe Gong exercises such a clear understanding of the source material while not binding herself to it and not being afraid to take the story and the characters in her own direction.

Part of what makes the intensity of this story resonate so deeply is because the outbreak of a highly contagious killer disease is only further aggravated by this blood feud between gangs, and this intense power struggle taking place in Shanghai. I appreciate how this story authentically explores the political backdrop and make-up of Shanghai in the 1920's. It was not as simple as merely being a Chinese city full of Chinese people, but it was divided into different political factions, while different countries waiting on the outskirts to occupy various parts of it. There were Nationalist and Communist factions, there were coalitions of French, British, and Russian would-be occupiers all trying to leverage power over Shanghai, which would only be heightened even more by this fictional outbreak of fear and devastation. Getting to the bottom of this mysterious disease is very much rooted in politics, power, and influence, and I think the story thoughtfully comments on that struggle.

The characters were absolutely dynamic. Each and every one of them was distinctive and purposeful, and I felt deeply connected to all of them by the end. Juliette is absolutely ruthless and not afraid to shoot first and ask questions later. She is fearless, but not emotionless, and absolutely determined to protect what she see as hers, but also to protect herself. Roma is powerful, but not nearly as violent. While he may be the heir to the White Flowers, he always feels a bit out of place, and wants nothing more than to prove his usefulness and worthiness. I also really appreciate that queer and trans characters were a big part of the story, and that those characters were able to play instrumental roles in not only solving this mystery but also just getting shit done. Kathleen's transness, especially, I thought was written with a lot of care and insight. (But as a trans non-binary person and not a trans woman, I can't fully speak to the accuracy of that experience.)

The dynamic between Roma and Juliette I found to be especially delicious. They can go from wanting to kiss each other to wanting to kill each other in seconds, and the intensity of that push-and-pull, will-they-won't-they is what makes their partnership so interesting. And to see how they navigate the necessity of having to help their enemy in this crisis while also not knowing how much to trust the other person at any given moment also really kept me on my toes. Their relationship embodies a lot of my favorite tropes while also having deep emotional roots, and it was just really wonderful to read about.

Overall, I found this to be a story about the intricate interplay between hatred and love, the ways we unknowingly destroy ourselves, and the demons that haunt us—both those that arise from circumstance and those of our own creation. Whether you're familiar with the original play or not, this book will have you on the absolute edge of your seat. (And in fact, I think if you *are* familiar with the original text, that might up the intensity even more, because it's fascinating to see how Chloe Gong interprets the major beats of the story and gives herself freedom to create new narrative avenues.) I truly cannot say enough good things about this book, and I'm all but begging everyone to add it to their TBR posthaste.

A Romeo & Juliet retelling that will fascinate you with the rich history and intriguing setting of 1920's Shanghai. The Asian representation is the novel is refreshing and well-done. .And don't forget the gorgeous cover.!

So this was a really intriguing and original book. It was touted as a retelling of Romeo and Juliet. And it definitely has those tones to it. But it is so much more than that. It is a monster story, and a historical fiction, and a family story as well. It has so many different aspects to it. The author used very vivid descriptions, it was as if I was in the actual places that the story was taking place. Because of this however, it was a long book, and not the easiest read, which is why on my blog it is getting a 4.5. Even with it being a little difficult, it was still a read that when I picked it up I was sucked in and didn’t want to put it down even when I had to go back to work or sleep or whatever. It is because of this though that I didn’t finish it when planned. I had set aside about 4 days to read it, but it took longer to work my way through it, but that was because I didn’t want to miss anything by skimming at all.

I will put it out there that it is not a finished book. While all of the problems seem to be solved, there is a bit at the very end, along with the line: To Be Continued, so there will be more. I will definitely be up to see what happens, because I want more. But I think it is important to know that when you go into this book, because it is a big book, and like I said, a bit of an intense and deep read.

Still, I loved the setting, Shanghai in the 1920s, and it was so interesting to look at all the things that were really going on there historically and see them fit into the world the author has created. A beautiful story, one I can’t wait to continue.

I had to give this book a good 24 hours to collect my thoughts, and honestly, I still do not have words to describe my love for this book. Upon reading the synopsis I knew that this was a book I would enjoy, but DAMN. First of all, this is the enemies-to-lovers story that I have been looking for my entire life. It was the best execution of the trope that I have ever seen. I think the main reason that this works is that Chloe created such incredible characters. They all had their own personalities and motivations for why they acted the way they acted in a way that felt genuine to them.
The atmosphere created in the world was incredible and so unique. I do not think that I have ever read a book set in 1920's Shanghai and now that is all I want. As someone who is a huge fan of political intrigue, this was basically a book written for me. The political maneuverings were so rich and the plot was taking a ton of twists and turns. It honestly completely swept me away from the real world and kept me turning the pages.
The only thing that I personally would've changed about this book is to age the characters up just a few years. I kept forgetting how young they were supposed to be, just because of the life that they live and the situations they find themselves in.
I recommend this to EVERYONE who is a fan of enemies-to-lovers. Seriously, go pick it up right now. This will definitely be on my favorites of the year list, and could certainly be my favorite young adult novel of all time!

These Violent Delights is a new take on Romeo and Juliet, so I went into it with certain expectations. Namely some romance. The romance does eventually come, but not until near the end of the book.
This book is set in the 1920s in Shanghai. It deals with a lot of topics including colonization which I found very interesting. The main plot is based in fantasy, trying to find the root of a plague infecting the people of Shanghai. This part of the plot was not my favorite. In fact, I found it very slow and honestly would have just preferred a story about rival gangs and the story of colonization.
The characters were well written. There is a little more information about Juliett’s background, but I liked both her and Roma. I also liked that they had a history. If you are familiar with Romeo and Juliet, you will see a few callbacks to the original.
I think between my high expectations and the fantasy plot this book just didn’t do it for me. I found the epilogue to be the most interesting part of the book.

Thank you to Simon Pulse for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Content Warnings: Blood, violence, gore, character deaths, explicit description of gouging self (not of their own volition), murder, weapon use, insects, alcohol consumption, parental abuse (from author’s website)

Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing: 5/5

BREAKING NEWS! Recently, sobs of anguish have been issuing from Shakespeare’s grave at random hours of the day. There is much speculation over the cause but I’ll let you in on a secret: Shakespeare’s ghost is weeping on the other side because finally, after all these years, he’s been outdone. Who by? Chloe Gong and her painfully beautiful debut, These Violent Delights.

Did my heart love till now? I think not. This book has become one of my favourite reads of all time because simply put, it is perfect in every way. It is a young adult historical novel with elements of science fiction/ fantasy that retells Romeo and Juliet in 1920s Shanghai with rival gangs, a monster and a mysterious contagion for extra spice.

I’ve read Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and while I appreciate that it’s extremely well written, I very much dislike it because I just find the plot illogical (if you disagree don’t come at me these things are subjective). Luckily, These Violent Delights took everything I dislike about the original play and made it into something that I adore with all my heart- that in itself is a miracle as far as I’m concerned.

I did however enjoy being able to pick up on the many small Romeo and Juliet references scattered throughout. The author included tiny details that showed how much thought and care had gone into the retelling. A non-spoilery example would be how in the novel Juliette often says things that have double meanings to hide her true intentions which is exactly what Juliet does in Shakespeare’s play.

Even better than the references were the clever ways Gong tweaked the plot to keep the reader guessing whether they were familiar with Romeo and Juliet or not. Because it’s a retelling, I thought I knew exactly how the plot would go but it completely inverted my expectations and left me reeling in shock.

The prose was so beautiful that I was captivated from the first sentence. It was intense and lyrical, Gong skilfully crafted vibrant, authentic atmospheres with just a few words. I adored the third person omniscient narration because it gave the story a sense of scope and grandeur. We get glimpses into the minds of so many characters and I loved that each one had their own distinct voice. It was definitely the most beautiful and experimental writing I’ve seen in a debut and Gong really pulled it off!

Juliette Cai was the heiress to the Scarlet Gang who had spent the past four years in America and come back different in many ways- only to find out Shanghai had done the same. She was smart, brave and reckless with nerves of steel and deadpan humour– it was hard to not love her. Juliette Cai had so much more agency and power than Juliet Capulet and I loved to see it! She truly was a force to behold and I was cheering her on throughout. Her rage at the injustices of her world- the racism, misogyny, greed, xenophobia, lack of empathy- was palpable and it was so interesting seeing Shanghai through her eyes.

I think Juliette’s diaspora story is one that will resonate with many people. She found herself in a position where in America she was too Eastern to be accepted and when she returned to Shanghai, she was too Western to be accepted. That sense of not knowing who she was or where she truly belonged permeated her story arc.

Roma Montagov was the heir to the White Flowers. His inner conflict was so interesting because deep down inside he was soft, sensitive and dreamy hated being the heir to a gang. He wished he could just disappear with his loved ones and live a quiet life but at the same time, he was scared to relinquish the protection and privilege his position of power gave him. I loved his relationship with his younger sister, Alisa, it was so sweet. 

The main storyline of the book wasn’t focused on Juliette and Roma’s relationship but that didn’t make it any less memorable. Gong turned the original play on its head so that when they met at the start of the novel it wasn’t their first encounter because they were already exes with a complicated history full of lies and betrayal.

I loved this twist for two reasons. Firstly, because it took out the ‘insta love’ aspect that I didn’t like in Romeo and Juliet. Secondly, because it made their relationship so much more intense and dynamic. They had to get to know each other all over again, these harder and colder versions of themselves. They had to grapple with conflicting feelings of love and hate that have been festering for so many years. They weren’t children anymore and their love wasn’t romantic and innocent because the environment they were in would never allow it. Sometimes, the only way they could show their love was through painful, cruel choices. It was messy, angsty and the levels of yearning were through the roof. And the saddest part was it was through no fault of their own but as a result of the hatred and tension between the two gangs.

Their relationship was charged, unpredictable and quite honestly tragic (which is quite fitting considering the novel is a retelling of a tragedy). This picture basically sums it up (Roma would be the one with the rose, Juliette with the knife).

The side characters were all amazing and shone in their own rights. Gong’s take on Benvolio and Mercutio with Benedikt and Marshall was spot on and their relationship was so precious. Especially with Marshall, she really captured Mercutio’s dramatic, sarcastic nature perfectly. All of their scenes made me smile.

I was so glad that Juliette got some wing women too! Kathleen (who was trans!) was so kind and soft, I felt bad for her because she always took too much on and felt too much then ended up neglecting herself. I also found passionate, headstrong Rosalind to be an interesting character. Instead of taking too much on, she kept too much bottled up inside. She was so similar to Juliette it was uncanny, the only difference was that one was the heir and the other wasn’t. I loved how even though their personalities clashed they were there for each other always.

And if you found fiery Tybalt to be infuriating in Romeo and Juliet… wait until you meet Tyler. Gong really hit the nail on the head with him, capturing the same volatile nature that makes Tybalt so detestable. His arrogant nature was a façade for his weaknesses but obviously he got away with it because he was a man. While Juliette, the extremely competent heir, had to work twice as hard to prove her worth.

The world-building was immersive and detailed, it felt like a glimpse of the past. I liked how both the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers were both so distinct in their general aesthetics and in their core values and principles. 1920s Shanghai was a brilliant backdrop for the story. It was a setting full of contrasts and divisions mirroring the divisions and conflicts between the characters. Gong also seamlessly wove in a commentary on the destructive effects of imperialism and colonialism, racism and xenophobia into the narrative and setting making the story all the more relevant and hard-hitting.

I also loved the subtleties of language that the author portrayed: the characters switched between different dialects, different languages were used in different settings, words were more meaningful in one language as opposed to another. As someone who sometimes merges at least four different languages into one sentence, I appreciated it very much and it made the world feel more real and alive.

I thought the addition of the contagion and the monster was genius. It expanded on a tiny detail in the play and gave the story more urgency by increasing the stakes. It also served as a plot device exposing the ugliness, greed and apathy lying beneath Shanghai’s vibrant exterior. The monster was like a metaphor for the monstrosities of imperialism and colonialism that were ravaging Shanghai. The protagonists were given the challenge of defeating a monster without becoming one themselves.

I found it chillingly similar to real life how those in power couldn’t see how dangerous the disease was and didn’t see the need to address it. For example, both Roma and Juliette’s parents were too proud and accustomed to power to think anything could unseat it. Leaving the younger generation to pick up the pieces and find a solution.

These Violent Delights is a brilliant read that captures all the drama, humour, action and emotion of the play it retells whilst also making it more relevant and exciting for modern day readers. This is a book I would recommend to everyone (as long as you can handle the more gory aspects) that will entertain and provoke thought.

The twists were truly incredible and the ending was the most exquisite form of agony. I don’t know how I will survive until the sequel comes out. I obviously won’t spoil what happens but suffice to say: these violent delights really do have violent ends.

These Violent Delights is an epic historic fiction filled with action, politics, betrayal, and star-crossed love. Chloe Gong has beautiful poetic writing which instantly teleports the reader into the glitzy and brutal 1920s shanghai with all it’s gang violence, greed and neon lights. Honestly, this was not what I was expecting when I first started reading it, I thought it would be enemies to lovers with monster hunting, and yes, that is there but the story and its world is so much more nuanced and the characters were incredibly complex.

Juliette and Roma must not only deal with the threat of the madness spreading through Shanghai but from threats within their own gang who want to overthrow the heirs and gain power. There is the threat of foreign powers who wish to gain control over Shanghai and the Communist party who are slowly gaining more support. It was spectacular how Chloe Gong managed to explore all these political and moral facets of the characters and the setting. I loved the relationship between Juliette and her cousins Rosalind and Kathleen and Roma and Benedikt and Marshall. Marshall especially was a delight since he added several moments of levity in an otherwise very serious story.

The middle of the book drag a bit for me. I couldn’t quite follow the character’s logic as they proceeded with their investigation and how the information they gathered was relevant to the madness. However the ending was so fast paced and thrilling and incredibly satisfying how everything comes together. However I wouldn’t really recommend it if you are looking for an epic romance and a fun monster hunting romp. These Violet Delights it gritty and dark and there is not so much romance as there is heartbreak.

Overall

These Violet Delights was a beautifully written, cinematic, thrilling ride! The middle was a bit slow but the ending was explosive and exciting! Highly recommend it!

I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book from the publisher and Caffeine Book Tours as part of my participation in their tour.

I think this is probably a wonderful read for most folks, but I had a really hard time getting into it. I tried a few times and I was having a tough time connecting with it. That being said, like I mentioned, I think this is a book that many other folks will enjoy, it just wasn't for me, but I still really love and support a fairy tale retelling by an Asian American author.

After a bit of a slow start, I became fully engrossed in Roma & Juliette's world of Shanghai in 1926. They, as always with Romeo & Juliet archetypes, are pulled between words - their gangster rival families, the city that raised them, and each other.

This, thankfully, is not a straight adaptation of R&J. Instead, it borrows characters and situations and breathes new life into them by expanding their world and giving them even more to fight for.

If you teach Shakespeare-loving teens who are excited to engage with this story in a new way, OR if you are trying to reach students who are looking for how relatable and human the themes are in his work, this book is a great place to start.

I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the sequel to see how this story continues!

I received an Advance Reader's Copy of These Violent Delights by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I also received a digital review copy for my participation in Caffeine Book Tours. My many thanks for giving me the opportunity to spotlight this wonderful debut!

"In glittering Shanghai, a monster awakens."

This wonderful opening line made me shudder, and immediately told me all I need to know about this book - particularly that this book is going to be violent, cruel, and frighteningly excruciating. True to the promise she offers in her premise, Gong's writing makes sure to cut deep at every opportunity it gets.

These Violent Delights dives straight into the action as it introduces its main threat: a monster in the shadows spreading highly contagious, suicidal madness to every inch of Shanghai. Very little detail is spared in the progress as the gory deaths and ensuing mass panic set up the high stakes for the people of Shanghai; as well as both the rival gangs (Scarlet Gang and White Flowers) ruling its streets. Juggling between the blood feud between the two gangs, the secrecy of their alliance, complicated old feelings, presence of foreign governments, and the power struggle Shanghai faces with the rise of communism, both heirs to the rival gangs Juliette and Roma soon discover that they may be in over their heads.=

Gong's eloquent, evocative writing perfectly brings a vividly imagined 1920s Shanghai to an existence teeming with life. Not only does her writing bring to life the details of 1920s Shanghai in its glittery glory, it also excellently fleshes out the silent but nonetheless vicious power struggle within Shanghai between the many forces occupying it native or foreign. Carrying a rich, deeply layered history as part of the package, These Violent Delights has the rise of communists, foreign traders, and Chinese nationalists on top of gangsters running the streets in Shanghai - and all these factions are actively involved in the storyline

I noticed that the writing was pared-down compared to the Shakespearean style I initially expected given that it's a loose retelling of Romeo and Juliet, but it definitely worked for the better as it allowed the book much breadth and appropriate focus to each new element it was introduces. While fast-paced, Gong effortlessly fleshes out every element of her story (the intrigue, the horror, and the angst-filled romance filled with yearning) and integrates them together to craft an intensely suspenseful finale that leaves readers wanting more.

Juliette Cai is probably one of the best characters written in 2020. Driven, tough, and ruthless, she isn't one afraid of making hard choices. Even though she has her fair share of doubters (chief among them her viscous cousin Tyler who wants her place as heir to the Scarlet Gang), she always makes sure that she is a force to be reckoned with. A strong-willed heir sharp as a knife, fitting of her gang's violent legacy. Despite her all-empowering qualities, however, Juliette also feels very much human with her own vulnerabilities and emotions (as much as she suppresses them). Fresh out from America, she finds herself grappling with the experience of "losing touch" with her heritage and struggling to find a sense of belonging in either side of her upbringing - an experience I believe will resonate with many diasporic readers.

Roma Montagov, on the other hand, is the calmer, more level-headed half of the main lead. Although he puts on a tough, ruthless mask, he’s very caring and gentle underneath which beautifully contrasts with Juliette's sharp nature. Although he is reluctant to resort to violence, he also is not one afraid to make hard decisions. I greatly enjoyed reading his side of the story and found it as compelling as Juliette's half.

I did mention earlier that enemies-to-lovers and much angsty yearning are guaranteed as this is a loose retelling of Romeo and Juliet retelling. This is exactly what you get (well, more like lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers but my point still stands) along with the thrilling mystery of Shanghai's madness plague. Throughout their investigation, they are forced to deal with their shared history of unresolved conflict. Their tension is highly palpable in every interaction; and their yearning and longing that would not be suppressed despite their turbulent past make for a painful, yet tantalizingly impeccable romance.

These Violent Delights also delivers compelling side characters who get involved in the fray and partake in the grisly scenes. Juliette's cousins, Kathleen and Rosalind, and Roma's righthand men, Benedikt and Marshall get a few of their own chapters. Their stories are equally fascinating to read as Roma and Juliette's, and their distinct personalities greatly add to the story.

There are multiple antagonists in These Violent Delights, but this book primarily focuses on the monster lurking in Shanghai's shadows. I have to say, in perfect honesty that the monster's chapters are actually my favourite parts of the book. I attribute this to Gong's chilling writing and perfect depiction of an unknown, potentially supernatural horror. I really hope this aspect of her writing returns in the sequel.

As much as I love the disquieting portrayal of the monster, however, I found myself as horrified by the way Western imperialism seeps into the city. It is as much of a threat to Shanghai as the monster lurking in its shadows, yet its more subtle workings arguably make for a more horrifying force. There is something viscerally alarming in seeing Juliette and other Chinese people being helpless to do anything about foreigners making a home in a city they have no business carving a place into. Gong spares no prisoners showing even more of the insidious workings of the deeply embedded Western influence in this city and many other non-Western places (there are, of course, more ways this can happen e.g. occupation of Native American and First Nation lands, but I think there are other works that would better illustrate such instances). In fact, one could argue that Chloe Gong's These Violent Delights can be considered, in a way, a socio-cultural horror.

Throughout the book, Juliette's struggle to stay in touch with her heritage and her sense of belonging, a result of regularly having to push down parts of herself just to fit in the Western culture during her time in America; this aspect of her character arc perfectly segues into exploring the tensions and silent power struggle between the East and the West in Shanghai - particularly how the West has shaped the rest of the world. Numerous times, Gong laments the gross power imbalance the Westerns hold from their influence and the sense of entitlement that results from it. Many times people who do not fit in the pre-dominantly Western mold are forced to push down parts of themselves be it culture, language, or even how they interact with the "mainstream" culture. One wrong look, and the possibilities are endless - most of them usually leading to quite ugly consequences. Juliette has some pretty strong opinions about this in These Violent Delights; and believe me, so do I.

Overall, I came in with high expectations for These Violent Delights, and it totally signed, sealed, and delivered. Angsty lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers with much yearning and longing, a chilling mystery with highly gruesome stakes, a violent blood feud coloring the glittery streets of 1920s Shanghai, and a thoughtful portrayal and commentary of Western imperialism set in a rich, layered historical setting? It's an excellent combination for me through and through.

These Violent Delights is an intricate and sophisticated story filled with thrilling action and excitement, tinged with violence, pain, and heartbreak set in an exquisite blend of richly layered history and fiction. Gong's gritty yet heartrending re-imagining of the Shakespearean classic has viciously carved its place in my heart as her captivating writing slices deep every chance she gets. A violent delight this book truly is.

Per the famous Shakespearean quote, These Violent Delights do have violent ends indeed…. and Chloe Gong's superb debut masterfully sings their tune to the pandemonium of 1920s Shanghai where malice both monstrous and human swirl together in vicious harmony.

Magical, romantic, effervescent - those are the best words I have to describe Gong's debut novel, set in an alternate Shanghai. Gong weaves together prose and plot into a heady, atmospheric love story. Can't wait to see what she writes next!

A delightfully violent, heartwrenching, and thought-provoking reimagining of the classic play with compelling characters who are as much a page-turner as the plot.

I have a huge soft spot for retellings, especially if I am a fan of the original tale/myth/material. While retellings take different shapes and forms, the most fun ones are always the books that follow the original template pretty closely – especially in terms of plot. Romeo and Juliet especially seems like a story that’s been told and retold to death (no pun intended) but in Chloe Gong’s These Violent Delights, the play gets a special spin, not just because of its luscious, mysterious setting, but also because it pays homage to the general story and backdrop of the original play, instead of centering itself on just the idea of star crossed lovers.

These Violent Delights is set in a truly cosmopolitan Shanghai in 1926, where crime, debauchery, and political conflict runs rampant. We are introduced to the Scarlet Gang and White Flowers, the former comprised of ethnic Chinese members of high society, and the latter made up of Russians who’ve fled the Bolshevik Revolution. Gong’s Shanghai is a divided city, with various political parties and gangs fighting for dominion, and in the middle of it all is a monster that preys on its members left and right. Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov – lovers turned enemies and heirs of the two reigning gangs – set out to uncover the mystery of the city and save itself from doom, and in the process stand to lose themselves and everything they hold near and dear.

Shanghai is a living breathing character in this story. Gong manages to transport the reader to the crime filled streets and inside the scheming gatherings, and gives us a taste of the time and place so vividly. The political implications and conflicts of the time provides such a concrete backdrop for the mystery and the tension of the overall story, and definitely raises the stakes for the main characters’ actions. There’s also an underlying exploration of ideas of colonialism and foreign occupation, and I really appreciated how in Gong’s world things were not always black and white, and there was no clear right and wrong, or superior moral judgement.

The characters were fantastic. I was taught Romeo and Juliet in college by a feminist professor who drilled into my head how badass Juliet is, so meeting Gong’s Juliette made me so happy. Juliette is toughened by a past betrayal and her constant need to prove right by her status as a heir, and I was scared of her at times as much as I loved her. Roma provided a great balance with his steadiness and softness, and the chemistry between them was breathtaking. Because they share a past history – unlike in the original tale – the stakes are high and the tension is even higher, and I appreciated how tender and beautiful their relationship was, especially with the surroundings literally being on fire almost all the time.

The supporting characters were terrific. The book employs a close third POV, and though we spend most of our time with Roma and Juliette, the supporting characters often get chapters of their own. I loved how the book fleshed out throwaway characters from the original – especially Rosalind – and I adored the banter and chemistry between Benedikt and Marshall. Also I would kill for Kathleen.

These Violent Delights is getting a lot of buzz, and it deserves all the praise. Chloe Gong’s original, seductive, captivating Romeo and Juliet retelling is an instant recommendation for any fantasy fan, especially if you like fast paced and dark mysteries woven in magical, mysterious settings. I would give content warnings for gore and violence.

These Violent Delights is definitely one of the most hyped books in my twitter timeline. Almost everyone I know who’ve read this book gave it 5 stars, which is why I’m a bit afraid diving into this one. I’m afraid that I set my expectations too high, thus I won’t enjoy it as much. Turns out, I shouldn’t have to worry, since These Violent Delights deserves every single star.

“Was the line between enemy and friend horizontal or vertical? Was it a great plain to lumber across or was it a high, high wall–either to be scaled or kicked down in one big blow?”

Set in 1920s, These Violent Delights follow two rival gang’s heirs–Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov–as they reluctantly work together to uncover the secrets behind the madness that’s wreaking havoc upon Shanghai. Easier said than done, for working close to each other means they have to confront the past that set them apart four years ago.

Eventhough These Violent Delights is loosely based on Romeo & Juliet, doesn’t mean that the story is predictable in any way. Chloe Gong does incorporated themes and characters from the original tale–including famous scenes like the dancing scene and the balcony scene–into the book, but These Violent Delights is a story that stood by itself. It blends fiction and reality, from gangster that roamed the street and the political unrest that happens in Shanghai at that time, to the monster that appear out of nowhere and shook Shanghai to its core. The whole time I was reading it, I felt like I really was transported back in time.

“The lover and the liar, the liar and the lover. They switched those roles between themselves like it was a game.”

The romance in this book complete the already interesting and engaging plot. I have to admit that I’m not a fan of the romance in the original tale. Personally, I think it was amusing at best. By making Roma and Juliette as former lovers, though, it made me love the book more. Trapped somewhere between enemies and lovers, we get to see Juliette and Roma struggle with their feelings to each other and their loyalty to their respective gangs. I had not realized it back then, but now I’m 100% sure that enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies is the superior romantic trope. I also love the friendships that were portrayed in this book. They are all unique and interesting in their own way.

All in all, These Violent Delights has the perfect mix of love, family, and betrayal. In addition to that, Chloe’s writing is absolutely gorgeous, that I’m honestly tempted to highlight like half of the book. If you’re looking for a book that takes you on a rollercoaster of emotion, this one’s for you.

There’s been a huge amount of hype surrounding this book, and I’m thrilled to say that it was absolutely well-deserved. I’ve had to read my fair share of Shakespeare in high school, and Romeo and Juliet was one of the few that I actually enjoyed. So when I heard that there was a Romeo and Juliet retelling, but in Shanghai, with gangsters and a monster, how could I possibly resist?

There was so much to love about this book, even though it made me incredibly … itchy. The original setting is updated from Renaissance Italy to Shanghai in the 1920s, which makes it feel a lot more relatable right from the start. Add in the diversity of the characters, the gritty feel of having the main characters as heirs of rival crime families, the lovers to enemies and back to star-crossed lovers trope, and a monster sowing chaos in a city that’s already divided by political factions warring for control, and you’ve got a recipe for a gripping story.

While high school was a very long time ago for me, I don’t remember much about Juliet having an actual personality in the original play. However, Chloe Gong has infused Juliette Cai with a fierce personality, brains, and loyalty to her family, gang, and city. She was hands down my favorite character of the entire story, and it didn’t hurt that she was certainly no damsel in distress — she was the heroine of the story. She’s got a vicious streak and knows exactly how to get what she wants from just about anyone, except Roma Montagov. He’s another intriguing character, and I so wanted to see them wind up together.

Even in the midst of all the action, of which there was so much, I never lost sight of the romance simmering in the background. There was so much tension between the two characters, and they’re both dealing with so much complicated baggage. I honestly felt for these two characters, and while I struggled to really empathize with Rosalind, I liked Kathleen a lot, and absolutely adored the dynamic between Benedikt and Marshall. I also really liked the clever twist on the original names.

I only figured out one of the plot twists while reading, but I really didn’t see any of the others coming. And just when I thought the book was going to end with everything wrapped up in a nice neat package, the author threw in a hell of a cliffhanger! What the heck was that?!?!

What a delightful debut! The details woven about the city really allowed my mind to visualize it, along with the politics and gangs. The familial relationships and tension and what drives them is a whirlwind of an adventure where Romeo and Juliette go head to head with a river monster in 1920's Shanghai? Yes. This retelling was engaging and thrilling and breathtaking and the last pages nearly had me toss the book across the room. I cannot wait for book two!

So there are some really good bits in Chloe Gong's retelling of Romeo And Juliet, set in 1920s Shanghai and featuring the scions of two rival gang families needing to team up to defeat a supernatural threat to the city. First and foremost is the lived-in character of Juliette Cai, heir to the Scarlet Gang, whose position is threatened by her brash and, more importantly to some, male cousin Tyler. Repeatedly sent away to America for her education, Juliette adopts a Westernized persona as her signature pose, even as she bitterly resents the Western European interests that seek always to undermine local rule.

Her nemesis/true love is Roma Montagov (which is a totally nonsense name,) heir to the White Flowers, a gang descended of Russian refugees who fled the Bolsheviks and assimilated to Chinese life. I honestly loved how the White Flowers were considered native Shanghainese compared to the British and French, primarily because they weren't there to colonize but to survive, and understand that that means respecting and absorbing local traditions and mores. Unfortunately, Roma is wildly underbaked as a character compared to Juliette, or even to her maternal cousin Kathleen Lang. Honestly, if this book had been about Juliette and Kathleen running around having adventures and defeating bad guys, as well as grappling with what it means to be a cis woman and a trans woman respectively in a patriarchal society, I'd have loved it a lot more, but I guess you can't have an R&J retelling without Romeo. So there Roma is, and he's... fine. He's a pacifist, a cinnamon roll who has to be tough in order to preserve his place as heir to the White Flower leadership. I just found it silly towards the end that he didn't quit when faced with the quandary that originally divided him from Juliette, but teenagers are a lot more tied to their parents than they want to admit.

And that's honestly the main trouble with this book, that it's about teenagers, none of whom are too bright, running around being violent. Whereas the original play was teenagers being melodramatic and self-destructive, These Violent Delights has them dial down the drama -- it honestly is far more sensible about the romance than its inspiration -- but turns the violence outward and amps it up. Which is fine, if you're into having protagonists that aren't particularly clever, in a plot that doesn't particularly make sense, with, barring Kathleen, awkwardly written supporting characters who often serve more as plot devices than actual people, running around killing others with little to no consequence. The occasional paraphrasing of Shakespeare is neat, but doesn't make up for the atrocious grammar that I'm hoping gets edited more stringently in the finalized version of the book (I read an ARC, natch.) While I can forgive the overuse of the verb surge, I'm pretty sure Ms Gong has never broiled anything in her life, given the way she constantly uses the word as a cross between "boil" and "roil" when it is like neither of those things. I get wanting to expand the limits of language, but words have meanings. Don't even get me started on the use of exhale and inhale as nouns, in just another egregious example that seems to be endemic to the YA genre recently. Ffs, editors, do your jobs.

Language aside, TVD is really good when it comes to discussing East-West political theory, tho less so when considering class struggles. I rolled my eyes when Juliette expressed surprise at the Communist-incited riots turning violent. Ms Gong skirts around the issue of the gangsters being no better than the oppressive capitalist class, which is at least marginally more accountable to law and retribution than the blood-feud-obsessed mobsters who shrug off collateral damage like latter-day feudal lords. Perhaps I'm asking too much, but Ms Gong's takes on assimilation and femininity and colonialization were so excellent that I wanted her to apply that keen eye to the rest of her manuscript. The idea of a contagion overtaking Shanghai was also prescient, especially in the way most people preferred to pretend it didn't exist if it meant curtailing their everyday activities, even if the actual depiction of symptoms and assorted epidemiology was dubious at best.

The book does end on a cliffhanger which will excite some readers but honestly had me exercising my overworked eye muscles in another roll; needless to say, I won't be seeking out the sequel. I am interested in seeing how Ms Gong's career progresses with time, however: she shows real promise as a thinker, even if fiction doesn't seem to me to be her forte at present.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong was published today, November 17th, 2020, by Margaret K McElderry Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster Teen) and is available from all good booksellers, including <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/15382/9781534457690">Bookshop!</a>. Want it now? For the Kindle version, <a href="https://amzn.to/2IIj1rc">click here</a>.

I had some pretty high expectations for this book, but I never expected it to fly above all of them.

These Violent Delights is a refreshing take on Romeo and Juliet, taking place in Shanghai, in 1926. It follows Roma Montagov and Juliette Cai, the heirs to two rival gangs, locked in a blood feud. But when their city is overrun by madness, they must work together to stop it.

The first thing that amazed me about this book was the writing style (this was only the first of many things). The writing in this book is beautiful, and includes so much depth in every line, without feeling extremely dense and too-flowery. It sets the tone for the book, creating a dark atmosphere with a bite.

Speaking of the atmosphere- the setting is absolutely astounding. I can’t imagine the amount of research that went into creating such a vibrant and grounded world. While there are some fantasy aspects, they are so well developed that it only made the world feel more real.

I will admit, it took me a minute to get fully into the book (maybe 50 pages or so), but once I was invested, I was obsessed. You would think an almost-500 page book might take some time to read, but I couldn’t put it down. There was always something interesting happening, and those last 100 pages??? Yeah, there was no chance I was stepping away from that.

One thing I really enjoyed about the plot of this book was all of the unique twists on the classic Romeo & Juliet plot. I loved how all of the original characters were adapted, and I especially loved how These Violent Delights differed from the original while still having great references to it.

Okay, but can we talk about some of these characters for a moment? Forget Roma and Juliette (we’ll get to them later)- but Marshall, Benedict, Kathleen, and Rosalind??? 1) I loved seeing all of the representations in this book 2) They’re just so well-developed and I love them all. Even when I may not like a character, their beliefs and motivations are incredibly realistic and interesting, so I love them anyway. … but also I do really like most of them.

Now, let's talk about Roma and Juliette. Roma is our Romeo, he seems cold and cunning but secretly cares so deeply about those he loves. Then there’s Juliette. She’s ruthless and violent and dedicated to her people. They are great protagonists, and I adore them so much.

But also let's talk about them as a couple, because this is a Romeo and Juliet retelling so that’s kinda important.
One worry I get with Romeo and Juliet retellings is that it’ll rely on insta-love. But this book most certainly does not. Not only is the main relationship enemies-to-lovers, but childhood sweethearts-to-enemies-to-lovers, so we get a whole extra level of angst. If that isn’t enough to make you want to read it, I don’t know what is. I absolutely love them together and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

These Violent Delights is a book you cannot miss. This novel is astounding in every way and I can't recommend it enough.

5/5 Stars