my heart aches. i can’t believe i got the chance to get an ARC to this book, i’m so so grateful (but also pissed, didn’t need to get into a big roller coaster of emotions rn <3) to simon and schuster Canada, ily guys.

ANYWAY. `our violent ends’ e was an extraordinary book!! no slow moments, lots of ennemies, daggers and gun, but also cutesy stuff. it was a perfect mix of both. i was "ohh" and "ahhh"-ing in every chapter and i was SO invested in this intense book.

i suck at doing proper book reviews but i recommend These Violent Delights so so much if you like retellings, fantasy, ennemies to lovers, LOTS of threatening scenes, and also the most loveable, badass, iconic et funny characters ever. Juliette and Marshall owns my heart like wtv marry me already yk

i can’t wait for y’all to read it this november, brace yourself and take the day off. you’re going to want to binge it in a day.

I was kindly given an e-ARC of this book through NetGalley to read and review.

Let me just start out by saying that if you think you are prepared for this book, no you’re not.

The highly anticipated sequel of These Violent Delights, Our Violent Ends is a fast-paced, high-stakes, heart-wrenching ride, and I loved it.

Picking up in the new year of 1927, the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers, more specifically Roma and Juliette, are once again enemies and the city is once again in upheaval. Monsters are still on the loose and the city inches ever closer to civil war. Juliette teeters on a precarious edge as she keeps secrets, tries to maintain her place as heir, and save her city from monsters and ruin. Roma is reeling from the shock of betrayal from Juliette and vows to do whatever it takes to make it right. As our star-crossed lovers circle around each other, they must do what they can to save not only their city and way of life, but also their hearts from destruction.


Chloe Gong does it again.

This sequel is wild, my friends. It is everything I wanted it to be. Chloe Gong is an expert at creating tension and high stakes. I was on the edge of my seat the entire book. Even though I know the story of Romeo and Juliet, I never knew exactly what was going to happen in this book and I loved that.

There’s a very particular writing style in these books. It jumps from different perspectives mid-chapter, but in a way that isn’t confusing, and in fact, I think, serves the storytelling quite well.

I think what’s unique about her writing in this duology is that it has a narration quality to it, and it reminds me of the prologue speech in Shakespeare’s R+J a little bit. I just absolutely adore how Chloe Gong went above and beyond in this retelling, capturing the story in vivid detail while making it into something entirely new and exciting.

She uses language that feels robust and fantastical. Every word and sentence structure feels intentional and purposeful, it all really helps the storytelling and makes it feel complete and fully realized.

In addition, her use of character is gorgeous. These people feel real and visceral. They’re wonderful re-imaginings of the original characters, and each is integral to the story and the chain of events that leads to the ending.
They are quick to grab you and make you fall utterly in love with them and fear for their safety.

I love Roma and Juliette so much, their whole relationship and every interaction is just, chefs kiss

I also really loved how she changed some of these characters and their roles, particularly Rosalind, Benedict, and Marshall. I think the changes were really good choices that upped the storytelling. As an actor, my mind works in a particular way that causes me to think about motivations and tactics, and the changes made to these characters created such strong motivations for their actions, it was really juicy to read. I loved it.

Another really wonderful aspect of this retelling was the world. It was one of my most favourite parts of this book. Chloe Gong mixes real history with fiction to create something so vivid and personal.

I really loved the choice to set this story in a city with such rich and also quite violent history. It enhanced the retelling, adding amazing detail to the story, creating conflict for the characters and a direct involvement in how the story played out. It just fits with the classic story of Romeo and Juliet so beautifully. But, we also got a story based/inspired on some very real events, and that led to some representation and conversations around some incredibly important themes such as colonization and human rights. It was a really great addition and so wonderful to see in this story and I really appreciated that.

This sequel is on fire. It’s tense in the best way and will have you questioning where it will go. It twists and turns and hardly lets up right until the end and you’ll be sitting on the edge of your seat the entire book.

At times, I had to set this book down and take a breather because the stakes are just so high all the way through, but it made me feel so many things and I was so gripped and attached to the story and the characters.

When I tell you that you aren’t ready for this book, it’s because I think it will exceed your expectations and probably drive you a little bit feral.

I cannot wait to see what Chloe Gong comes out with next. This duology has cemented her as one of my favourite authors.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

If you’re familiar with the story of Romeo and Juliet this duology is a blast to read, it takes the original story and amps it up to a whole other level. I highly recommend it.
Our Violent Ends comes out on November 16th and it’s one you don’t want to miss.

Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for an eARC of ‘Our Violent Ends’!

This book is brilliant. Period. Read it, read it, read it.

I honestly do not think I can say enough good things about this entire duology—and even then it would not do justice to this incredible piece of writing Chloe Gong has given us. The setting. The history. The diverse cast of characters and viewpoints. All the little nuanced references from Shakespeare’s original ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (and I am sure I only caught half). The never ending twists and turns that constantly kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. No joke: the full final 200! pages had me on the verge of a heart attack from the pure STRESS of it all!!! 😱 And then that beautiful, poignant ending.

Again and PLEASE: Read. This. Book. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (I cannot give it enough stars!)

I finished this in ONE day. Absolutely AMAZING. I think may even like it more than the first book of this duology, These Violent Delights. Chloe gong has now been added to my list of favourite authors. As well as This duology, going into my list of favourite series. And I can't wait for Foul Lady Fortune to come out. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a digital ARC of "Our Violent Ends" in exchange for an honest review.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
Wow, wow, wow.
Those are really the only words I have to describe this book. This book took everything that was wonderful about the first one, and just turned it into such a beautiful, character-driven story that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Which is honestly quite difficult for a retelling to do.
I won't post any spoilers here, but I will say that while the characters absolutely made this book, I was also totally enraptured by the political and historical landscape. It serves as an amazing (fictional) snapshot during a tumultuous time in Chinese history - and one that I know very little about. It definitely made me want to do some serious googling.
Anyways....I loved it.

Our Violent Ends

5/5 Stars

Shakespeare has been real quiet since Chloe Gong wrote THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS and OUR VIOLENT ENDS. He’s quaking seeing the power Chole Gong has over us.

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, you bet your asses I would be giving it an unlimited amount of stars. I almost cried when I realized I was reading it. There’s nothing that beats the feeling of this level of excitement for a conclusion of a story, but the bittersweet tang of knowing that it’s coming to a close.

I couldn’t put this down, and when I did have to put it down, it’s all I could think about. This book put me through all the emotions, all five stages of grief, made me cry, made me yearn with our favorite characters. I genuinely felt like a girl with a corkboard and red string trying to piece the plot twists together, it was great.

Once again, this book was written with the prose of a true poet. The descriptions, the dialogue, the banter, the underlying emotions, my heart can’t take anymore but can’t get enough of this beautiful duology.

I can’t get over this book, It was darker than These Violent Delights, but in the best ways. It had more political intrigue, more betrayal, more regret, more hate, more yearning, more love. It reminded me why I love romance in books, it made me feel with the characters.

This is forever, forever a book I wish I could read for the first time again and again.

Astra inclinant, sed non obligant

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to have an ARC of this beautiful retelling in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars
Our Violent Delights is a worthy conclusion to this duology and overall a gorgeous story. My thoughts on it are very similar to my thoughts on the first book. My main point is simply that I love Chloe Gong's writing style. This book specifically was full of gorgeous quotes. I'm a huge fan of Chloe Gong's commitment to incorporating social issues into her stories, and I love the way she retells Romeo and Juliet. She chooses to leave/change the perfect amount of details, and usually references the things that she changes, which is super satisfying as a reader who has also read Romeo and Juliet. My main complaint for These Violent Delights was simply that I didn't think there was enough romance for a Romeo and Juliet retelling. I found the romance in Our Violent Ends to be much more satisfying, and there were quite a few moments that literally had me on the brink of tears (not always even because they were sad, but because they were so beautifully written and I was getting nervous about the ending). The only thing I really didn't enjoy about this book was the miscommunication during the first act due to Juliette's lie at the end of the last book. Don't get me wrong, it was well written, and all the character's motives made sense, I just hate the "miscommunication/lying for the greater good" trope. Lastly, I'll briefly mention the ending. This duology is definitely one that should be read without spoilers, so all I'll say is that I am satisfied with this ending, as I know I would have been no matter what. I trust Chloe Gong's writing enough to be confident that she could have ended this series in almost any way, and I'm sure she would have done it justice. Overall, I'm really glad I picked up this duology. Admittedly, it took me a while to really get into These Violent Delights, but Our Violent Ends had the perfect amount of tension, and had me hooked from the very first page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

An excellent conclusion to this duology. Chloe Gong takes Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and transplants the tale of star crossed lovers to post-colonial Shanghai on the verge of revolution. Fast paced, romantic and devastating!

I loved this book! It was very well written, a unique story and a plot I enjoyed. I thought the characters were very enjoyable, and I will definitely be recommending this series to my younger sister!

I thoroughly enjoyed These Violent Delights, and was so glad to get the chance to read Our Violent Ends ahead of its release. Although I felt Our Violent Ends was a valuable contribution, I do think it fell short in comparison to the first novel. The first half was a little slow, but it definitely picked up as it went on. I wish we got to see a little more of the side characters points of view, since those plot lines were some of the most fascinating. The ending was a bit rushed and I wish it was a little more fleshed out, but I do think it was an appropriate ending for the series.
All in all, I think this was a really unique take on the original play. Chloe Gong has done a really great job of creating a diverse and lively world that I found very refreshing.

4.5*
OKAY OKAY
for starters thank you so much to netgalley and miss chloe gong loml for this arc because i was physically combusting, waiting for november
THIS WAS SO GOOD. i loved these video delights a lot but this was without a doubt much better. the relationships got to develop even more and there were several twists, some that my megamind guessed and others that caught me off guard. i will not be saying anything about my emotions at the end because i think that will count as an indirect spoiler but i will say that my one qualm with this was that the end could’ve been SLIGHTLY more developed. but other than that, i love these characters and this story so much and the writing was improved in the sequel in my opinion so i 100% recommend picking this series up if you haven’t already because wowowowowow
the romance in this was also so good i actually cried several times throughout because i could just not contain my emotions.
there were so many amazing quotes that i wanted to include but im terrified of anything being even remotely spoilery for yall so you’ll have to read it to see it but ugh wow

What an epic read! Thank you so much for providing me with an ARC, this has been a roller Peter of emotions! Loved all the past paced action and many plot twists! Chloe Gong is definitely an author to binge!

I gotta rate this 6 stars I must say...

Omg... this book will bring pain to you. I loved Roma and Juliette more! And the ending ... just be prepared.

I am so grateful for this ARC. I finished These Violent Delights and had to immediately read Our Violent Ends. This book was a fantastic take on imperialism and I loved the political dynamics in the book, I thought it was very interesting to read. I was so attached to every single character in this book that I sobbed for 15 mins after finishing it because the ending nearly broke me. The romance was also great. I would absolutely recommend this to a friend and made a review on Tiktok doing so as well. I can't wait to read the next book Chloe puts out!!

This book was... wow.

I loved the first book and usually it's hard for a sequel to live up to my expectation and this one blew them out of the water. It was phenomenal.

The characters were complex, the relationship was intriguing. The politics and life in 1920s shanghai was wonderfully written

I loved it from start to finish. It was exciting and heartbreaking and bittersweet.

It was everything I wanted.

Well Done.

I am utterly decimated by this book.

This was an exceptional follow up to TVD, Gong's writing remain absolutely breathtaking and I will remain in awe and tears over her sentences. The characters!! God I loved them, I want the world for them. I'm pretty sure I felt every emotion possible while reading this - the last fifty or so pages had me undeniably stressed out. This hands down, has one of the most satisfying endings for a duology. Even if I'm still crying over it as I write this review.

The story of two ill crossed teens continues in the second book in this series. A 1920's retelling of Romeo and Juliet, filled with feuding families, gang warfare and love. The monsters from the first book are back and this time they are blackmailing the two families, can the mystery be solved before anyone gets hurt?

In a city dripping in the blood of the power-hungry, love threatens to destroy the world that once was. As Shanghai crumbles under the weight of the conflicting sides, Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov struggle to understand what they are to each other, putting everything they work for in jeopardy. Will the city swallow them whole before they destroy each other?

Throughout Our Violent Ends, there is a strong sense of hope infused into the fabric of the dark story. In a setting where death rampages throughout every lonely alley, there is a light within the characters. There is fleeting desperation for a future where the mistakes of the present are forgotten by time.

Juliette Cai is a character of great complexity. She is fueled by fear, by the deep desire to be known as anything more than the heir to the Scarlet legacy. Her need for a life with the sparks of love rather than the flames of war propels Juliette forward in the darkest moments. Roma Montagov, on the other hand, is drenched in insincere hatred and drips with remorse for his failed attempts at escaping the White Rose throne.

Our Violent Ends is saturated in hope and fear, power, pawns and players. It speaks of light found in the darkest corners of a character's soul. At the heart of the story is the hope for a life of peace, where people are free to love with every fiber of their being. This euphoric dream is not an explicit place throughout Our Violent Ends, but it's still felt in the actions of Juliette and Roma. Their haven is a beautiful escape hidden deep within the corners of the book. Chloe Gong uses detailed writing to perfectly string together intricate plots and beautiful moments of hope in Our Violent Ends.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for providing me with an arc of Our Violent Ends. I'm so lucky to have had the opportunity to read this book!

“𝕞𝕪 𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕪 𝕚𝕤 𝕒𝕤 𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕒𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕒, 𝕞𝕪 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕒𝕤 𝕕𝕖𝕖𝕡.“
-
4.5 stars
I cannot praise Chloe Gong enough for the absolute mastery that is this duology. Her prose is breathtaking in a way that constantly made me feel immersed and present in the story. Juliette and Roma have an unhealthy hold on me - in all likelihood I will spend the next several weeks crying over them because I wish there was a third book coming out and I won’t get to read about them again. I miss them already.
This was an incredible finale to the series and I marvel constantly at how clean the storytelling is - how perfectly executed it is and strategically planned it all must have been. I can only hope to one day be half the writer that Chloe Gong is now.
This was the kind of book that made me stare blankly at my wall, tears running down my face, for an hour before I was capable of forming a coherent thought. so be warned: you are in for an emotional rollercoaster.
Anyway, I cannot WAIT for this book to come out so I can shove it violently at all my friends to read. please, on November 16, do yourself a favour and go buy this book. I promise you absolutely will regret it emotionally but it will be so, so worth it.

Chloe Gong is so insane and evil whilst also being a genius who puts her readers through hell and back. 5 stars.

If you've got high expectations for this book, believe me, they WILL be surpassed. Our Violent Ends beats the 'sequels are always worse than the first' myth by a mile. I cannot tell you how many times I had to put my phone down and pace around my room because I was either shocked, sad, happy or nervous, even a combination of all four.

These Violent Delights already had me rooting for the characters from the first page, as well as having an intriguing plot, but it's all amplified here in Book 2. Chloe Gong weaves together the borrowed characters, themes and symbolism from Romeo and Juliet so perfectly whilst simultaneously adding original and unique twists.

The plot felt much more intricate and high-stakes in Our Violent Ends- adding political intrigue on top of the intricate character dynamics, the preexisting blood feud and monster mystery truly spiced it all up. Roma and Juliette absolutely destroyed me. Ben and Mars ruined me. I absolutely adored Kathleen, Rosalind and Alisa's characters and their respective arcs.

That ending was...intense. Satisfying, but intense and bittersweet. Had me staring at the wall for 20 minutes after I finished.

Chloe Gong you have outdone yourself. I can't wait for the Foul Lady Fortune duology!