These Violent Delights: the fierce, heart-pounding and achingly romantic fantasy retelling of Romeo and Juliet (These Violent Delights, #1)

by Chloe Gong

3.63 of 5 stars 23 ratings • 8 reviews • 114 shelved 2020 Fantasy Pick
Book cover for These Violent Delights

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'Deliciously dark' Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire

In glittering Shanghai, a monster awakens . . .

The brilliantly imaginative New York Times bestselling fantasy retelling of Romeo and Juliet set against the immersive backdrop of 1920s Shanghai.

A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city in the grip of chaos. At its heart 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.

Filled with romance, intrigue and betrayal, this heart-stopping debut is perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane.


'Heady, smart, and vicious' Tessa Gratton, author of The Queens of Innis Lear

'Deliciously dark'
Natasha Ngan, New York Times bestselling author of Girls of Paper and Fire

'Dark and beautiful' Emiko Jean, author of Empress of all Seasons

'A terrific, deliciously unputdownable read' June Hur, author of The Silence of Bones

  • ISBN10 1529344522
  • ISBN13 9781529344523
  • Publish Date 17 November 2020 (first published 1 September 2020)
  • Publish Status Out of Print
  • Out of Print 21 October 2021
  • Publish Country GB
  • Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
  • Imprint Hodderscape
  • Format Hardcover
  • Pages 464
  • Language English