REVIEW: These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

These Violent Delights 

Chloe Gong 

Pages- 449

Genre: Historical Fantasy 

Synopsis from Goodreads: 

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.

My review

      This was the ultimate angsty, pining, tense book of my dreams. These Violent Delights was immediately enthralling! I was instantly struck by how beautiful Chloe Gong’s writing style is. I started underlining on the very first page! She brought Shanghai to life, transporting the reader through her description and detail. One of my favorite things about this novel was the way it addressed many important political and social issues throughout the story, as well as having a lot of representation that made the fantasy storyline all the more realistic. I felt very enlightened about the imperialism happening at that time, I feel like it’s something my history classes glossed over. The analogies made between that and the madness/monster taking over the city in such a terrifying, all-consuming manner was haunting.

     I LOVE Juliette and Roma— and all of the characters honestly. It was amazing seeing a twist on the classic Romeo and Juliet storyline that combined rival gangs, familial loyalty, enemies to lovers gold, and of course the most stunning setting. Juliette was an amazingly strong and cunning character, and I loved comparing her actions to her inner motivations. The commentary on her identity and sense of belonging in her home after her life in America was so good. Roma was equally as incredible to me, he was mysterious and vulnerable and so compassionate, I just adore him. 

     This novel had one of the best enemies to lovers executions I’ve ever read (and I’ve read A LOT of them)! I also have to gush over how much character development and interaction we got with the side characters too! The ending truly brought the story above and beyond, with so much all coming together in thrilling action sequence and betrayal (what’s a Shakespeare retelling without some betrayal?) I wish I could explain the overwhelming emotions I had when I finished, all I can say is I need the sequel in my hands now! 

Rating: ★★★★★

***CWs from Chloe Gong’s official website:

“Blood, violence, gore, character deaths, explicit description of gouging self (not of their own volition), murder, weapon use, insects, alcohol consumption, parental abuse.” As well as transphobia, colonialism, disease, and drugs.