Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I really loved the idea of this - a retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in 20s Shanghai? What's not to like? But I just couldn't get into the story and the writing style was jarring for me. The narrative worked and was mostly engaging but I found it hard going. I'm sure others will love it though!

Romeo and Juliet is a play that I have a mixed relationship with, but the way this retelling was presented meant that I couldn't not pick it up. The dynamic between Roma and Juliette, as well as the background to why they are who they are and the history of the blood feud, was really well written and made the retelling element of the story even stronger than the actual source material. The way their characters developed, and this also applies to the side characters, was excellent, and I found myself wishing for a way to bring this to life just so I could soak in the awesomeness.

Juliette and Roma were both very strong characters, and it was very clear what their convictions were. There was nothing weak about either of their characterisations, and they carried the story and their dynamics with each other and the rest of the book very well. The side characters, namely Ben, Marshall and Kathleen, were very well written, and I especially liked how we saw them outside their relationships with Roma or Juliette, and their own personal goals and personalities.

Chloe Gong did an excellent job of bringing Shanghai to life and making it explode off the page. The complexity of this city during this time period was well-conveyed, as well as all the different forces at play and how they interacted. The infusion of the fantasy elements was well written, especially with how it played into the dynamic of the city itself. I also found the plot very, very compelling, and it was well paced to keep the reader hooked until the very end. The ending left me craving the sequel, which unfortunately I have to wait for, and the promise of how the original source material ends just adds to that anticipation.

I went into this book with high expectations, and it still managed to blow me away. It's got it all: complex, compelling characters; elements of the original story woven through masterfully while still being a completely unpredictable new story; a setting that flows off the pages; and most importantly, it's got a hook that keeps you reading until the last page.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. This review will be posted on my blog on December 8th 2020, and an abridged review can be found on the Waterstones website.

This book was a little slow to get into at the start, but overall the plot was engaging and had me gripped. I thought the twists and turns within the book gave the right level of suspense. And the parallels to Romeo and Juliette were beautifully entwined within the 1920s setting.

My main complaint, and why this is more of a 4.5 star read than a 5 star read, was the build-up to the plot. In order to have the parallels laid out for the reader, the initial chapters dragged a little and I found my mind wandering. However, once this story came into its own I found it far more gripping and enticing.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Cong is a Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai. Two gangs rule the buzzing city, the Scarlets and the White Flowers and, amid the blood feud, a new creature threatens the city… a mysterious monster who drives people to suicide. This common enemy forces Juliette Cai, the rightful heir to the Scarlet Gang, and Roma Montagov, the no-longer-favorite of the leader of the White Flowers, to reunite after their tragic affair four years ago.

“A love like theirs was never going to survive in a city divided by hatred. This would be the death of them all.”

― Chloe Gong, These Violent Delights
Going into this book, I didn’t expect to have any more surprises. I mean, absolutely everyone knows the classic Romeo and Juliette story and I’m sure we’ve all seen at least a dozen retellings of it. However, Chloe Cong did it. She managed to blow my mind.

First of all, forget all about naive and gullible teenagers who make poor choices. The new main characters are cold and calculating, truly heirs to rival crime empires. I loved the dynamic. Did I ever mention how much I love morally grey characters? Well, I do and because of that, These Violent Delights served excellence. Juliette and Roma are both experienced assassins who hate each other (well, at least Juliette hates Roma), which makes it all the better for us, the readers ― also, I loved the flashbacks to when they were younger (and in love).

“They are criminals—criminals at the top of an empire of thieves and drug lords and pimps, preparing to inherit a broken, terrible, defeated thing that looks upon them in sadness.”

― Chloe Gong, These Violent Delights
The plot was one of my favorite things. I have to say, making it an enemy-to-lovers with mystery-solving was a great idea. That (besides keeping the book interesting) gave space for the secondary characters to shine (I love Marshall, Kathleen, and Benedik so much).

I read the entire book in just one sitting alone in my dorm room (my flatmates thought I had died or something). But can you blame me? I mean, I’m a sucker for the ~vibes, and These Violent Delights delivered so much more. Also, enemies-to-lovers is always perfection. Initially, I thought, because I knew the original story, the retelling was going to feel a bit… flat. In the sense where I kind of already knew what was going to happen to the characters. So, it was so refreshing to see that the author changed a lot of things.

“Fight dirty but fight bravely. Do not fight those who cannot understand what it means to fight”

― Chloe Gong, These Violent Delights
Chloe Cong‘s debut was so well written. I loved how she portrayed Western Imperialism in Shanghai and how diverse the book is. We need more trans rep in historical fiction, that’s for sure. Oh, and the angsty scenes were just chef’s kiss. And sure, there were a couple of parts that were a bit more obvious than necessary. But, overall, it was a great first book (in both senses). I can’t wait for the sequel! (especially after that cliffhanger).

“These days Juliette,” he said, low and warily, “the most dangerous people are the powerful white men who feel as if they have been slighted.”

― Chloe Gong, These Violent Delights
Oh, and speaking of it. The ending. They’re always a hit or miss for me and, even more so at the first book of a series, I need to be hooked. I need to care for the characters and what’s going to happen to them. It needs to be coherent and at least a bit satisfactory. These Violent Delights checked all the boxes.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Cong is the ultimate Romeo and Juliet retelling. I recommend it to anyone looking for enemies-to-lovers with crime families, mystery-solving, and a 1920s setting (the flapper dresses!).

““You destroy me and then you kiss me. You give me reason to hate you and then you give me reason to love you. Is this a lie or the truth? Is this a ploy or your heart reaching for me?””

― Chloe Gong, These Violent Delights

An innovative Asian reimagining of Romeo and Juliet – with a few very definite changes. Set in 1920s Shanghai and looking at the gang warfare and the tensions between East and West, this had plenty of depth. I was unmoved by the romance – more second chance than enemies to lovers btw – but then I usually am. Overall I thought this was an interesting take and generally enjoyed the book though something was missing for me.

A Shakespeare retelling set in 1920s Shanghai with a monster running wild? Even though Romeo and Juliet is not my favourite play (histories take my heart!), I was excited to see the play adapted. The setting was exciting too - a gang war inspired by history between the Chinese and the Russians.

The mystery around the monster was really fun - and gruesome. I mean, victims tearing their own throat out? There are a lot of POVs, so the mystery had a lot of vital parts revealed early, shifting the focus to how order would be restored.

There are some very lyrically written passages where the writing pulls back from a close POV to be more general descriptions of the city. It was such a nice balance and meant the world was vividly drawn.

If the characters had other names, I probably couldn't have guessed this was a Romeo and Juliet retelling. It's a very loose retelling, more an "enemies to lovers of opposing factions" than Romeo and Juliet. For example, there wasn't a balcony scene (I'm guessing the brief conversation where he's outside and they're talking through a window was meant to be it) and it stops about half-way through. I'm guessing the second book will finish the book off? But it did make it feel less Romeo and Juliet-esque.

Usually this wouldn't be a problem - and I tend to like my retellings loose so I can't predict what's coming. However, this <em>is</em> a Shakespeare retelling, and I would have liked it to be more obvious, to be more of a bingo-card to tick off the famous scenes. I think if it hadn't been marketed as a Romeo and Juliet retelling, but just a historical fantasy enemies who are in love forced to work together, I might have liked it enough to give it 5 stars, but I was really distracted trying to fit it to the play.

Am I going to read the second book? YES - I want to see the final half of the play adapted.

Rated 3.5/5 stars

These Violent Delights was such an engaging and imaginative debut, I could hardly put it down and I'm looking forward to its sequel! It is set in 1920s Shanghai, in the midst of a conflict between gangs, as a mysterious disease is spreading through the city. Chloe Gong's writing was amazing: she successfully wrote an agonising atmosphere that crept on me as the book went on, and she sure didn't hold back on gruesome details when it comes to the disease. This book also discussed topics such as immigration and colonisation in a clever way, through Juliette's character especially, but also by showing how much Shanghai was changing.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading about those characters, and I loved that this book had multiple POVs. My only issue was that the characters felt a bit one-dimensional, at times. The book kept mentioning their past, or showing us flashbacks, yet I thought that something was missing, and I struggled to get a sense of Juliette and Roma often. A lot of it was just telling instead of showing, so it might be why. Because of that, I loved the romance in theory, but struggled to see why they loved each other as they were teenagers, but also then. Side note: the fact that they kept saying they had been each other's lover at 15 kept weirding me out, but anyway. That being said, I adored the secondary characters (especially Kathleen), they really stole the show in this book. Also, I'm sure the characterisation will get better as the series is expanding!

These Violent Delights was such an impressive and imaginative fantasy novel, and I can't wait to read its sequel! If you love The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee and/or The Diviners series by Libba Bray, this book is definitely for you!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I loved the writing although between 30 and 70 percent of this book I found it got very slow pace. I loved the story telling however, and the well thought out characters were fleshed out and realistic

Review on blog to come soon

This book isn’t a book for me, I don’t understand most of the wording and just couldn’t connect with the characters and plot.

Too many kind hearts turn cold every day

Trigger warnings; violence, character death, talk of illness, ripping out one's own throat (not by their own volition), insects, blood feud, blood, gore, murder, weapon use, alcohol consumption, parental abuse, parental death

Where to start, These Violent Delights is one of the most magnificent novels I have ever read and is definitely my runner up for favourite book of the year. Everything about this book was absolutely incredible from the world building to the character development to the Romeo & Juliet aspects to the descriptions to the rich history, this book is just so mind blowing.

These Violent Delightsis a debut historical fantasy novel that is based in 1929's Shanghai and is a retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet but 1000% more incredible and with a lot more violence. I did really enjoy the nods to Romeo & Juliet and the parts of the story that were similar but boy was this novel way more than your standard retelling, this book had everything.

I loved the characters in this novel so deeply, especially Juliette, Roma, Kathleen, Marshall and Benedikt. Each of them had such distinct personalities and character traits and I loved reading about them. They all felt so individual and so fresh and I just adored them. There was also some very important representation as Kathleen is a trans woman, Marshall is Korean I believe and it also seems like there may be a budding m/m romance!

One of the things I loved about this novel was how authentic it felt. Even though it is a fantasy novel and is set in Shanghai which is a country I am not familiar with, everything felt so vivid in the way it was described. The novel also discussed Western Imperialism and how Juliette, a Chinese born girl feels out of place in her own country and how she feels that she has to use her English, as she studied in America, and be more "American" to be heard and respected in her own country. It was heartbreaking to see all of these Chinese people feel like they are being pushed out of their own country because of the West basically invading them and trying to take over. I think the commentary on it throughout the novel was done very tastefully and respectfully which is really important.

It is never as simple as one truth. Nothing ever is.

Whilst I did love the characters and the discussions in the novel, I also really loved the plot. I didn't really know anything go into this novel apart from the fact it was a Romeo & Juliet retelling set in Shanghai, I didn't really know about the monster plaguing the country and the people and oh my goodness, I found it be fascinating. it was really new to anything that I had ever read before and though it did make the novel even more brutal and violent than I went into it expecting, it really was an intriguing plot line that I can't wait to see be picked up in the sequel.

Leading on from that, this book is definitely not for those of the faint of heart. This novel is brutal, it's set in 1929 and there is a massive blood feud going on between two gangs that hate one another and includes a lot of scenes where there is active violence against one another. As well as this, the monster creates this madness which makes people rip out their own throats as well as there being other descriptions of violence, parental abuse, illness and alcholoism so make sure that you read up on trigger warnings before going into this book because it can be a lot at some points.

But, overall, I truly, truly loved this novel. I have absolutely no complaints about it. It was a vivid, violent fantasy with an interesting plot line and easy to love characters. It was definitely a very mature young adult novel and I really, really cannot wait to read the sequel, I will sell my entire soul for it and cannot wait to see what else Chloe Gong writes in the future!

When a few reviews started to come out about this book a few months ago, it immediately picked my interest. A Romeo & Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai? Hell yes, it sounded absolutely brilliant. A dark and gory story between two rival gangs? Yes please! The premise of this book was amazing. However, it took me a lot of pages to really appreciate my reading, but really, it was so worth it to keep going.

First of all, let's talk about what I didn't like about this book:
The writing at the beginning of the book was dense. So dense, and full of info dumping that I couldn't read more than 20 pages at a time. I wasn't invested at all in the story nor the characters. It was such a pain to read that honestly, I considered DNF-ing this book twice. I did put this book on hold for a few weeks, and it took me 3 weeks to get through the first 150 pages. It surprised me because I'm pretty used to dense world-building in epic fantasy books in general, and I often love world-building. But in this case, I didn't like the full info-dumping and maybe I was also too tired to care. So yeah, the beginning was hard to get through.

But, and that "but" is important because, after getting through the first 150 pages, the story started to pick up and I finally started to get invested and intrigued about this book. I started to care about the characters and without even knowing it, I was in love with the story and Juliette Cai. Honestly, I don't know what really happened here, but suddenly, this book wasn't so bad at all and I almost couldn't put it down.

“Was it loyalty that created power? Or was loyalty only a symptom, offered when the circumstances were favorable and taken away when the tides turned?”

Juliette's character and development were absolutely amazing. This character became honestly one of my favorite female characters. She was just so badass, fierce, ruthless and cold, like a true gangster queen and I couldn't do anything but root for her. She was willing to do anything to protect her people and take responsibility and she did it wonderfully. Roma paled in comparison honestly. I found him boring, weak and useless at first and it was hard for me to ship them. But eventually, he became more interesting and even though I thought him soft, he was still a ruthless gangster. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Marshall and Benedikt, with their loyalty to their gang. Their POVs were so interesting, funny and gripping and added a lot to the story.

The romance was surprising because it was actually a star-crossed mixed with second chance trope, and it felt very new and different from what I had read before. It wasn't the main focus of the book though, and that was fine by me because I was more invested by the plot and the politics than the romance for the most part of the book. The tension between the two characters became however, incredibly well done, and I found myself on the verge of tears in some moments. Believe me when I say that I was the first surprised about it, but the author's writing became so gripping and beautiful. For a debut novel, the author really knows how to write powerful and emotional scenes.

“They believed themselves the rulers of the world—on stolen land in America, on stolen land in Shanghai. Everywhere they went— entitlement.”

What I also really enjoyed about this book (and honestly that was my favorite part), was the setting and how the author talked about the politics and colonialism in this book. The story was set in 1926, Shanghai, where the city was completely torn apart by Western imperialism. With bits of lands occupied by the British, the French, and the Russians, with the growing Communist party, and the constant war between the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers, the author didn't shy away in her representation of colonialism and the consequences on the people who didn't ask anything but still lost their land, culture and power. I just love it when POC authors are delivering the tea in their books by denouncing colonialism (wink wink at The Poppy War with the Hesperians), it needed to be said and the author just went for it. Honestly a huge win for me, and that's why I will always prefer to read own-voices books.

“These days, Juliette,” he said, low and warily, “the most dangerous people are the powerful white men who feel as if they have been slighted.”

The last 100 pages of the book were a wild-ride full of action and plot-twists and I read it in one sitting. I really enjoyed the ending but, as I said earlier, I had seen so many comments or reviews about how shocked and painful would be the ending that I was expecting more. It was great, but my expectations kind of ruined it a bit for me.

Overall, I would still recommend this book because despite some issues with the beginning, the rest of the book was amazing and so SO worth it. So yeah, if you struggle with the beginning, I swear keep going because the rest of the book will sweep you away in an immersive political and dark story, full of betrayals and hard truths.

These Violent Delights was everyrhing I hoped it would be and more. I will be posting a full review soon but I had a fantastic time reading this

I went into this book with high expectations and this book did not disappoint! A fantasy retelling of Romeo and Juliet, this book ticked a lot of the boxes I look for in fantasy books as well as retelling's. Gong has taken the story of Romeo and Juliet and made it her own with gang wars in Shanghai in the 1920's. Gong has a beautiful writing style that keeps you completely hooked and needing more, with her vivid descriptions, action and mystery this book became impossible to put down.

I really loved the connection and dynamic between our main characters. I was eager to read how the two worked together and to learn more about their past together. The tension and unresolved drama between the two was one of my favourite things about this book! However, I will have to admit that at times Juliette frustrated me. At times it felt that she was too good at everything, especially fighting and she went into situations not even considering the consequences of her actions.

Overall, this was a fantastic debut novel which is rich in detail and suspense. I recommend this book to any fantasy lover out there who loves a good re-telling! I cannot wait to read the next book in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I was attracted by the premise of the book - a Romeo and Juliette scenario set in 1920s Shanghai with warring gangs and monsters. The story delivered all this and more! The central characters of Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov are complex, ruthless and are heirs to the rival gangs of the Chinese Scarlet Gang and the Russian White Flowers who have carved the city of Shanghai into gang held zones.
A history of love, betrayal, hate and family loyalties link Roma and Juliette but their desire to keep their people and city safe overrides everything, leading them to join forces when a monstrous infection afflicts the population.
The authors descriptions of old Shanghai evoked the decadence, squalor and smells of the city in that time period. I loved the strength of the characters and the intriguing twist on the star crossed lovers theme. My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the access to the ARC.

Honestly think the description of it being based on Romeo and Juliet was a stretch. Went in with high expectations but really wasn’t for me!

I was soooo excited for this one! Shanghai, 1920s! Granted, not a big fan of Romeo and Juliet - not a fan of Shakespeare, to be honest - but the other two lured me in and I wanted to read the book.

Having studied Shakespeare in college for an entire semester, his works are no walk in the park. The author had a pretty good idea of how to re-tell a very famous play, however... I don't know, the main leads were pretty... bland. Juliette was written in a way that came across as 'too much'. That's what was always in my mind, as she was on the page. She so wanted to come across as a badass, but she wasn't. As for Rome... not a memorable character. If Juliette was too much, he was the exact opposite of not enough, if that makes sense. So, while the idea of Romeo and Juliet in the 1920s Shanghai sounded awesome, the execution wasn't all that, in my opinion.

And the monster and madness and sickness... It just... It didn't really go with the gangs and Communists and whatnot, you know? I mean the author clearly wanted to integrate historical facts into her work, but these just didn't mesh, in my opinion.

I liked some side characters but that won't have me reading the sequel. I know everyone else seemed to have liked it, I wanted to like it, too but it just didn't happen.

I voluntarily agreed to read an early copy via Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher. My rating is 2.5 - 3 stars.

✨These Violent Delights✨
Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Chloe Gong for the E-Arc.

Summary- a Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai with monsters, mystery and two rival gangs in a power struggle. This is a multipov story.
Roma and Juliette are heirs to rival gangs, once secretly close now separated by betrayals, murders and time. Until a monster starts killing members of both gangs and a madness spreads through the city. Both sides will have to come together to stop it.
✨
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5
Review:
This was a hard read for me. What initially drew me in was the gorgeous cover, the promise of a historical setting in another country and the rave reviews I had already seen from early reviewers, I was so excited when I was approved! And if i could rate the book on the last 25% it would be a 5star rating however, the book as a whole fell a little flat for me.

I find myself so frustrated with this book. I struggled and pushed through the first 75% and I’m glad I did because the last 25% was incredible. If the whole book had packed that kind of punch it surely would’ve been a 5⭐️ read. I think for me, there was a lot of unnecessary information and so the book could’ve been shorter but a more impactful read. There was also the struggle of the multi-pov, now usually I enjoy a well written, multi pov book however there was an imbalance for me. I enjoyed Juliette’s part and enjoyed getting insight into Roma however I do think the book would’ve benefited from sticking with them rather than also giving rather odd snippets from other side characters (i.e Benedikt and the circle), there was a lot going on.

This is a book that will be well loved by many readers, the romance is a sloooow burn, enemies to lovers trope which I absolutely love as well as having LGBTQ representation! It shows the power struggles that can happen in families as well as in the gang with some interesting plot twists tho finish! It’s clear that the author has a very vivid sense and gives in depth descriptions of the atmosphere and environment. So whilst parts of this book fell a little flat, after that dramatic ending I am eagerly awaiting book two.

I knew this was a Romeo and Juliet retelling, but I have to say at first, each time someone's name was mentioned, I was a little worried it was just going to be the exact same plot set in Shanghai and with monsters. Thankfully I was wrong, and actually this is very, very loosely a retelling. Indeed, considering Romeo & Juliet is thought to be one of the ultimate romance stories (debate that as we all will), there is very little romance at all in These Violent Delights.

I liked the mash-up themes that were on offer here. The best way I can think to describe it is, it's like what would happen if an alien invasion met with politics, crime and two heavily feuding families. The politics are what kept it truly interesting, and I questioned a lot who the villains of the piece truly were, the people or the monster making people tear at their own throats?!

I did find it really hard to click with Roma, and his story arc. I felt like a lot more time was dedicated to Juliette and her back story, so she was much easier to understand, and I was almost left wishing the entire book was told from her perspective. I did enjoy the dynamics of the various other family members, but always found myself wishing for it to return to Juliette.

The story is left with a super open ending, setting it up nicely for the next book to pick up. I could definitely appreciate the unique aspects of this book, but I didn't love it as much as I had expected to, and I think that was largely due to some of the character development. A solid 3 stars.

I have never been so excited for a book as I have for this one! Set in 1920s Shanghai, this story follows the Scarlett and White Flowers gang as they try and defeat a flesh eating monster. This was a glorious take on Romeo and Juliette, following two rival gangs. The setting was stunning - the imagery was beautifully penned. The story was a bit gory which I quite liked to see (nothing too extreme, but really helped set the story). There seemed to be an underlying budding romance ? Which i loved to see. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend this to anyone who wants to experience an exciting and fast paced read. Thank you so much for my early review copy.

DNF @ 36%

Siiiiigh. I so wanted to love this book, and I probably could have pushed myself through it, but frankly 2020 has been a rubbish year and life's too short to read books we're not enjoying.

This novel has so much potential and I thought I would love it. I love a 1920s setting and I was very excited to read about 1920s Shanghai instead of the typical setting of 1920s New York, and yet I don't know if I would have guessed this novel was set in the 1920s unless it had been mentioned in the blurb. I also loved the concept of a Romeo and Juliet retelling involving rival gangs; this is a very loose retelling, of course, but I didn't mind that at all. It's pretty clear from the blurb that this is a story inspired by Romeo and Juliet rather than a direct retelling. Unfortunately I didn't find either Juliette or Roma particularly interesting to follow - in fact none of the characters ever felt like real people I might bump into in the street - and while I really appreciate that Gong made Juliette the more savage of the two (which makes perfect sense considering it's Juliet in the original play whose monologues are full of violence, while Romeo speaks of love), making their relationship a lovers to enemies to lovers relationship, instead of simply star-crossed lovers, left me feeling cold. I found it hard to imagine these two loving each other at all.

The major reason this story didn't work for me, though, is because this novel does not need to be a fantasy novel. If Gong had written a historical fiction novel about two rival gangs in 1920s Shanghai and a pair of lovers caught in the middle of it all, These Violent Delights would have been a far stronger book. Instead, time that could have been spent creating a sumptuous setting and really involving us in the history of 20th century Shanghai was instead spent on a monster and a weird insect-induced virus that didn't quite fit into this story for me. This is Gong's debut and I think she's an author who's going to get better and better, but I think she tried to include too much in this novel which ultimately meant that none of it quite worked for me.