ambiancereads
Written on Jan 25, 2022
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.
'Heady, smart, and vicious, These Violent Delights strikes every note with precision, layering romance and politics into a roaring 20s Shanghai of both monsters and monstrous imperialism' Tessa Gratton, author of The Queens of Innis Lear
- ISBN10 1534457690
- ISBN13 9781534457690
- Publish Date 17 November 2020 (first published 1 September 2020)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Simon & Schuster
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 464
- Language English
Reviews
nannah
Written on Nov 1, 2021
Content warnings:
- fatphobia
- child abuse
- insect swarming & infestations (very detailed)
Representation:
- the main character and many secondary characters are Chinese
- two secondary characters are gay/bi men
- a secondary character is a trans woman
- a secondary character has OCD (at least, as someone with OCD, this is how it seemed)
In 1926 Shanghai, two rival gangs with a blood feud control much of the city. The French and the British have what’s left. Communism and nationalist groups are simmering among the chaos, too. To make matters worse, a monster is spreading a contagion wherever it goes. In the middle of all this is Juliette Cai, heir of the Scarlet gang, and Roma Montagov, heir of the White Flowers gang.
Former sweethearts who were torn apart by distance and tragedy, Roma and Juliette will have to put the blood feud and their own hatred aside to work together, solve the mystery behind the monster, and figure out how to stop it.
It seems wild to give this only two stars when I loved so much about it, but it was a struggle to finish this one. I DNF’d it several times before pushing up my sleeves and getting back into it.
But I’ll start with what I loved:
Over everything else, I loved and appreciated all the notes about colonialism, the city being torn in every which way and how the characters felt about their home being occupied, etc. I can absolutely tell so much heart and research went into this novel and its setting.
And though I did have problems with the writing style (more on this later), there were little glimpses of really strong writing here and there. If Chloe Gong just took a little more time to edit, her writing could be gorgeous. I think the biggest problem this book has is a lack of good editing -- which is partly the author’s fault, partly the editor’s. I know editors are being underpaid and getting less and less time to edit, so while I’m inclined to give them a little more slack, this book really, really needed more editing.
This all brings me to what I didn’t like:
Unfortunately, there’s a lot. I’ll mention the writing again, more specifically. It takes about twenty words to say what could be described in one or two, and it gets stuck on specific phrases that are repeated over and over throughout the book (I should’ve counted how many times “her heels clacked on the floor” was used).
I also don’t think the omniscient pov did the story any favors -- it made it so the mystery behind the monster was ruined from the very beginning. We as the audience know everything before the characters even start to piece things together, which makes for a frustrating reading experience.
But above all, the characters and their dialogue made me want to put the book down, despite what I loved about it. Though I know Juliette is supposed to be a strong badass, she came across as a spoiled brat throwing tantrums and treating others awfully (“Miss Cai, can I help you with anything?” “Help me like this--” With one hand, Juliette mimed her lips zipping shut. / “How long have you been wiping at that table for?” [... Juliette wipes the table three times and cleans it] “Use your elbows. It’s not that hard.”).
Their dialogue switches from being period-appropriate to being something straight out of the 21st century: “I do not know his name, nor have I seen his face”; “I do not know what it is you speak of” existing alongside “Get out of my face”; “I think this is simply my resting expression”; “Too soon?” “Way too soon”.
I feel horrible to critique so much, but I can’t not mention the showing vs telling, probably my biggest issue with the writing (and editing). We are constantly told what people are thinking, but seldom shown -- and what we’re told doesn’t always match up with the characters’ actions.
The constant telling gets in the way of the storytelling (especially the backstories -- so much backstory … even of minor characters, backstory that doesn't affect the plot or story or characterization in any way. It feels like it’s part of the author’s character sheets, and she just wanted to get it across to us in some way, but it doesn’t work). Because we’re constantly told about how Roma and Juliette used to be lovers, we never actually understand their relationship in the present.
One more mention, and then I’m done, I promise: the ending also ruined any chance of me picking up the sequel. It ended in exactly the same place as it began. Roma and Juliette hate each other again, the second book will have the same plot as the first (people dying from the madness, trying to figure out how to stop it), and the characters have not gone through any major changes. It’s so frustrating.
But I applaud Chloe Gong for being able to get a book published in college. This book is so well researched, has beautiful and meaningful representation, and shows many glimpses of beautiful writing. With some editing, she’s going to go far. I may not pick up the sequel, but I will most likely check out what else she writes.
herseriallife
Written on Jun 29, 2021
Angie
Written on Apr 10, 2021
Proceed With Caution:
This book contains violence, gore, death, murder, and self-mutilation and termination.
The Basics:
These Violent Delights is a retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, set in 1926 Shanghai. It centers on Juliette Cai, heiress to the Scarlet Gang, and Roma Montagov, heir to the White Flowers. The Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers are the two gangs who run Shanghai and have been feuding for years. Then a monster calls and the two must team up or everyone dies.
My Thoughts:
These Violent Delights was one of my most anticipated releases for 2020. I am a sucker for all things Romeo and Juliet, and this one sounded especially exciting. Flappers in Shangai! Rival gangs! Contagion! Monsters! All great stuff! Sadly, it just did not work out for me.
I found These Violent Delights to be dragged out and boring. I was interested in the very beginning as we're being introduced to our characters and the plot. But then it felt like nothing was happening. It was the same scenes over and over as people rip their throats out, Juliette demands answers, laments about being betrayed four years ago, shoots some people, rinse, repeat. The middle could have been tighter to keep readers engaged and the plot moving along.
There's also next to no romance in These Violent Delights. The backbone of any good Romeo and Juliet retelling is the dramatic relationship between the two leads. We're told that Juliette and Roma had a short-lived but intense relationship when they were fifteen, which ended in tragedy. Roma betrayed her. She betrayed him. Now, they're older, reunited, and there's no spark at all. They're working together to find a cure for the madness and stop the monster spreading it, so there's definitely some high stakes and adrenaline and...nothing.
The plot of These Violent Delights was interesting though. People are succumbing to a madness that causes them to claw out their own throats, effective killing themselves. Is it drugs? Is it a disease? Is it contagious? This is the second plague by insects book I've read this month and find it fascinating and disturbing. However, I was not a fan of the literal monster spreading the insects. For me, it felt like too much. Creepy bugs are creepy enough.
For those of you who don't read epilogues, the epilogue is where it's at in These Violent Delights. The final battle happens and all seems like it's going back to normal, but then...nope! There's a surprise! I actually really enjoyed the epilogue, despite it ending on a huge cliffhanger. Is it enough to make me excited for the sequel? No. But it intrigued me enough that I might pick it up just to see what happens.
writehollydavis
Written on Feb 2, 2021
alindstadtcorbeax
Written on Dec 15, 2020
BUDDY READ WITH MY OTP BR, Darceeeeee! (As per usual
Ashley
Written on Nov 29, 2020
Woooow this book was brilliant! And bloody! I loved the 1920s Shanghai setting; I loved the politics, talk of foreigners, gangs, etc. Juliette was completely ruthless! The romance between her and Roma was angsty with a great slow build up (or build back up, because there's a history there). Definitely eager for more!
Quirky Cat
Written on Nov 18, 2020
Are you a fan of Romeo and Juliet retellings? What about when it's retold with a fantasy twist? If so, you're going to want to check out Chloe Gong's These Violent Delights. It's the first in a series of the same name, and with a cover that stunning, you just know it's going to be good.
Set during the 1920s in Shanghai, two gangs are on the verge of (another) all-out war. This is the world that Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov have grown up in, so they're quite used to the pain, loss, and battles that come with a feud like theirs.
All of that is about to change, as a new and deadly monster appears to be killing its way through the streets. Scarlet Gang, White Flowers, it doesn't care who gets in the way. All it leaves behind is death and destruction.
Juliette and Roma must work together, and work past their betrayals and pain, in order to save their city and the people they've sworn to protect. The real question is, will it be enough?
“This was a city shrouded in blood. It was foolish to try changing it.”
These Violent Delights has got to be the most dynamic and creative retelling of Romeo and Juliet that I have ever seen. And I'm sincerely not exaggerating there. It was intense and brilliant, and brought with it countless surprises.
I think the thing I loved the most about These Violent Delights is how creative Chloe Gong's writing was. The wordplay surrounding their names, the altered history and locations, the monster, and horror elements. All of it. It actually made it difficult to predict what was going to happen next – which is quite a feat when you think about it.
Oh, and that time period! Moving Romeo and Juliet up to the 1920s! I adore it, especially as they infused flapper elements and events specific to the time period (and location). It added to much depth to the story that was unfolding.
“Anyone can be the master to a monster should their heart be wicked enough”
Let us not forget about the romance itself. That brought with it perhaps the most surprises, as Gong really did create something new between them. It was beautiful and heartbreaking all in one, as it should be. I won't say more than that, because I refuse to spoil it.
Overall, I was really impressed with the world-building and writing that Chloe Gong showcased here. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect when looking at a retelling that lasts more than one book, but I am so extremely happy that I took a risk and gave it a try. I have no regrets, and am very much looking forward to any and all sequels.
Check out more reviews over a Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks