On the face of it, I thought this book would be everything I loved but I found it quite difficult to get into and throughout reading I would put it down and take weeks to pick it back up. Maybe that's because of the mindset I was in at the time or maybe this book just wasn't great at holding my attention.

Nevertheless, if you liked Jade War, you will probably like this.

This own voices novel sees many cultures come together in a classic tale of rivalry, with a difference. Set in Shangai we also see British, American, French and Russian cultures involved in the politics of this plot. The main storyline follows two rival gangs, the Scarlets and the White Flowers, headed up by the two leading families, Cais and the Montagov. Sound familiar? I love the adaptations from Shakespeare’s original play to fit a 20’s Shanghai setting, whilst being set in the past, Gong has modernised this story with her political plot lines and inclusion of a range of diversity.

There are two threats within this book; a monster trying to take over the city and kill it’s residence and the theme of communism and foreign occupants on Shanghai land. I’ve referred to this as having politics within the plot, but this isn’t done in a ‘heavy’ way, nor is it daunting to read. I don’t consider myself to be very politically minded beyond keeping up with current affairs, but I was still able to understand the plot progression of this book and cared about the issues it was putting forward. I don’t want to go into more detail as the build up fo this storyline is one that is best experienced through reading the book.

A plague on both your houses is a famous quote from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and one that I think must have been an inspiration for the plot of this book. The drama of this story centres around a monster unleashing a plague across the city and both Juliette and Roma trying to get to the bottom of it. I love how this one line has set the theme for this entire retelling, and it’s so clever how Gong has adapted this story. Touching on very real times at the moment with our own pandemic, this book looks at the spread of a virus and how helpless the characters are to stop it. I don’t know when Gong started/finished writing this but it certainly felt poignant to the times we are currently living in.

One of the things I love about retellings is the subtle changes, such ad character names and relationships. In this we see the familiar families of the Capulets and the Montagues, but named the Cai and Montagov. Gong has taken a story we all know, even if just a little, and given it a new spin to engage new readers. I’m intruiged to see how this turns into a series, but I’m excited to read more from this world. I really loved the characters, especially both Benedikt and Marshall who offered a real comical side to the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot, it was not only fun and exciting, but I also feel it was insightful too. Would highly recommend!

First of all, thank you to the author Chloe Gong and to the publisher Hodder & Stoughton for giving me an Advanced Review Copy of These Violent Delights in return for an honest review.

First of all - it has taken me SO LONG to get to this book, for which I can only apologise. Since I was given a copy of this book in August 2020, Chloe has released a sequel (Our Violent Ends) and has just announced a spinoff. So I am definitely way behind on this one. (I'm aiming to fix this over the next month or so - my NetGalley has been SERIOUSLY neglected.)

These Violent Delights is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, set in 1920s Shanghai. Juliet is now Juliette Cai, an 18yr old who has recently returned from America and is heir to the Scarlet Gang. Roma Montagov was her first love (and first heartbreak), heir to the White Flowers gang. Both gangs are above the law, using bribery and violence to control their sections of the city. But Shanghai is changing, with the British, French and Americans beginning to take control of the city - with areas off-limits to Chinese nationals. A mysterious illness has begun to take over the city, and both Roma and Juliet are forced to investigate as their gang members begin to succumb.

I was really excited to read These Violent Delights, after hearing lots about it around the internet and on Twitter. I loved the whole concept, particularly the setting, and I usually enjoy a retelling! I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately, for me it was just an average read.

This isn't an obvious retelling - you could certainly read and enjoy this without having seen (or read) the Shakespeare play. There are some obvious elements, like rival gangs, and some Shakespeare quotes scattered around, but otherwise it's definitely its own story. It's very original, and the main plot isn't what I had expected. But despite being a Romeo and Juliet retelling, it's not a romance. It's primarily a mystery, with Roma and Juliet investigating the sudden pandemic. They end up working together, chasing a mysterious monster that has been seen around the city. Their love story isn't the focus of the story (which I am fine with! I don't really read romance).

There are a lot of political undercurrents here that I enjoyed, and after reading this I looked further into the history of Shanghai because it intrigued me so much. Some of my favourite parts of the novel were these side-plots - I found the sections where Juliet describes her experiences with colonialism and struggling with racism, sexism and reintegrating herself back into Chinese culture after spending so much time in America very interesting!

The plot dragged a lot in the middle, with Juliet and Roma struggling to solve the mystery. It gets a bit repetitive, with them charging in, finding a clue, then spending ages trying to find the next clue, before repeating. The mystery didn't seem very difficult to solve - I figured it out pretty quickly - and we're told Juliet and Roma are smart! This book is around 450 pages, so it's not a short read, either.

I also wasn't sure on the main characters. I loved the backstory and history to Roma and Juliet, but I just couldn't really connect with them. I usually love bad-ass female main characters like Juliet - she felt a little flat and cliché to me. Same with Roma - I just couldn't see what the attraction was or why they had feelings for each other. I guess they just felt a little too bland, and I didn't like that they sounded so modern - I couldn't believe they were living in the 1920s. However, I did really like Benedikt and Marshall's friendship (Roma's best friends) and really enjoyed their banter. I'd definitely like to see more of those two.

Overall this is a great concept - combining 1920s Shanghai with the classic Romeo and Juliet story. But for me, it just didn't live up to my expectations. While it was an enjoyable enough read, the storyline was a bit too slow for my liking and the fairly simple mystery seemed to drag on forever. I would have liked more character development from Roma in particular. There is lots to like here and it meant I learned more about the history of Shanghai — it's just not the five-star read I hoped for.

Could not read due to format - not breaks between paragraphs/chapters etc, loads of random characters! Unreadable copy

This book was fantastic! Inspired by Romeo and a Juliet but set in Shanghai. I loved the main characters and the fantasy elements were excellent.

Right book, wrong time.

Over a year late in reviewing, but I recently picked up TVD in the Waterstones exclusive paperback edition and hi. I am a Juliette Caí fanboi and I will forever pledge me allegiance to the Scarlet Gang.

This book was so good. I loved the setting. I loved the characters. It was wonderfully dramatic in a way that felt authentic. The magic was dark, the descriptions were thrilling. I finished it in one sitting and then immediately read OVE and that was even better, plus I got a ✨hardback✨.

Recommended to everyone.

These Violent Delights is a book that I read over a year ago and have only just go round to reviewing. I loved this book so much but found it so hard to put my thoughts on paper.

I can say that it is a great telling. A story that weaves the best bits of Romeo and Juliet in the mystery. While still oh so seemingly leaving a bit of mystery of the past to be considered and elements that are to be discovered.

I really enjoyed the fantasy side to this book. It added a lot of mystery and was actually only a small part of the story. For me the main part of the story was about family, and believing in yourself and doing the right thing. I also really enjoyed the 1920's feel and it was definitely this that made the book. I also loved the fact that the telling of the story flipped between the two main characters. So we got their perspective and saw everything from both angles. 

The reason why I've not given the book five stars is because I felt that it was too long. And at times I felt it dragged. But the story was told in such a whimsical way that I couldn't put it down no matter how I was feeling. 

I also need to talk about that ending. This is probably the main reason why I couldn't bring myself to review. Because it was such an explosion of an ending and such a cliff hanger that I could not bring myself to think about it. Thank goodness the second book is out now. So that I can find out what has happened and to hopefully have a happy ever after. 

These Violent Delights was a pleasure to read, and I cannot wait to dive into the next book!

This premise was excellent, the book started out strong, loved the rivalries, but for some reason it did not work for me. I think it was too slow for me to care enough to be more invested in it. Not a bad book at all, just not for me.

For romeo and juliet retelling, this book is definitely not what I expected - in a good way! As a book club choice, this isn't my usual kind of read but I was suitably intrigued by the addition of the monster and the insect plague that resulted in a lot of unexpected bloodshed! I will definitely be checking out the sequel!

Honestly this was everything I could of wanted! I love the Rome and Juliet aspect but also how is was completely unique. I think my only issue MAY be the pacing, but that ending was INCREDIBLE!

Amazing. This is how you do fantasy. What a beautiful world building. I am in awe. This book is hyped for a reason. Loved it.

I was provided this as an arc by the publishers in exchange of an honest review.

I really started off living this and I’m not sure what happened. I think the fact that there are two povs really muddied the waters for me? No pun intended given the plot. I liked all of the elements that focused on Chinese culture and that of Shanghai and the real political turmoil of the time period. I wanted to know more, and yet we don’t really get to know Juliette’s culture or her family well. We only really know her cousins, and even then it’s plainly Kathleen. Who is awesome by the way.

The problem is that Juliette and Roma have a lot of secondary characters around both of them and their own plots, that they barely interact with one another. Perhaps if I didn’t know it was meant to be a Romeo and Juliette romance? I kept waiting for when they’d actually spend any time together that lasted more than a few minutes. I didn’t feel like I got to know any of the side characters either given the changing points of view.

Overall I just think there was a lot going on in this and as a result I didn’t enjoy it. It’s not bad but it didn’t make me care about anyone. I won’t be continuing the series but I will be keeping an eye out for more of Gong’s work.

I can see why so many people loved this because I am OBSESSED with it. The characters are beautifully developed and I just want more!

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book!*

I enjoyed this Romeo & Juliet version set in Hong Kong, where the two starcrossed lovers are gangsters and have to fight a magical madness spreading in the city. While it was mostly entertaining, the book was a bit too long and boring for me. As someone who doesn't really like Romeo & Juliet, I have to admit that this was less insta love and more adult, which I enjoyed.

Cliffhanger galore at the end which I also didn't like, but well done overall. Compelling story, complex and more than just morally grey characters, and I liked Hong Kong as the setting.

3.5 stars

A unique take on the Romeo and Juliette retelling with unexpected characters that defy stereotypes. The Shanghai setting is atmospheric and the fights are meticulously choreographed, which make this a very chaotic and addictive read. Full video review - https://youtu.be/_t31j9tJWF4

I definitely enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected to.

The fantasy elements in this book are not what you would expect them to be, in fact I think it's probably better suited in another genre, but what one, I couldn't decide. It's very much centred around the politics of the setting and who controls the city, and what this means when trying to uncover the mystery, which is something that I surprisingly enjoyed as political books aren't really my thing.

The romance was interesting in this book, and I'm excited for the next book to see how the relationship between Roma and Juliette develops.

You don't experience any info dumps in the book, and you do have to work a bit to fully understand all the political parties in the city, who works for who etc, but I think this is beneficial to the duology, as there will hopefully be less of this in book 2, and more action.

I've rated this a 3,5, but I'm absolutely keen to keep reading the series, and I'm excited for what Chloe Gong does next.

I absolutely loved These Violent Delights!

The setting - Shanghai in the 1920s - was described so vividly and atmospheric.

Juliette and Roma were amazing protagonists, with Juliette being a cunning badass and Roma being her softer and more caring counterpart.
They had a great dynamic and I loved reading about their romance.

The plot itself was intriguing, but I won’t go more into it because of spoilers.

Overall I highly recommend this book and am desperate for the sequel.

This novel was all about the characters for me, especially Miss Juliette. She was everything I could ever want in a female lead. Sassy, vunerable, brave. Absolute perfection. I though the book had such a fantastically rendered cast of secondary characters too, so much so that I could absolutely read entire novels set in their perspectives!

Gong writes with such sumptuous prose that beautifully captured the seductive atmosphere of 1920's Shanghai, without shying away from the stark realities of its citizens during this period. It felt steeped in so much history.

The slow burn lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romance was the perfect blend of sexy, tense, romantic and heart wrenching. An absolute triumph of a debut!

I wanted to love this book with my whole heart, I really did. I don’t know whether I just set my expectations too high or what but I just couldn’t connect with this one.
I didn’t really feel like I got the intense Roma and Juliette romance I was promised, I didn’t feel the desperate high stakes, or the dangerous blood feud. It all fell a bit flat for me.
I felt like very little actually happened? A lot of the interesting plot points happened prior to the book starting and we were just told in passing that this happened and that happened and Roma and Juliette fell in love four years ago and that was that, here we are... I didn’t see the passion or deep hatred that I assumed would be between Roma and Juliette, honestly it seemed there was very little there at all.
The plot, again, felt quite lacking. A monster enters Shanghai, infecting people, will the White Flowers and Scarlett Gang put their hatred aside to save Shanghai? That’s essentially the crux of the plot and the rest seemed predictable.
Wanted to love it, I’m sure many will. But it didn’t feel like the epic 1920’s slow burn Romeo and Juliette retelling I was promised.
2.5 rounded up to 3.

This was a book I really thought I would love, and there were certainly elements of the book that I really enjoyed but overall, I found it very hard to fall into the story, it felt very slow and drawn out and I just couldn't seem to really get the story to capture me the way I wanted it too.

The setting of Shanghai is fantastic, and there's so much political upheaval to consider in the story - not only are we learning about the rival gangs and all the warfare that comes with the blood feud but there is also the rising threat of the Communist Party, as well as the lurking Nationalists. And then on top of that, there's also a really interesting exploration of colonisation in this book that I think was done really well. The white man of England, France and even Russia has infiltrated the streets of Shanghai and has even cut away a portion of the city from its real inhabitant. The real monster in the story is the white man and the white man ideal of what is right and what is wrong, not the literal monster stalking the streets.

I liked learning about the Scarlets and the White Flowers though I agree with other reviewers that it feels like we got to know a lot more about the Scarlets. I can only presume there will be a bigger focus on the White Flowers in the second book. Juliette and Roma were....okay for me. I felt at times they were outshone by the side characters; Kathleen, Benedickt and Marshall. I actually felt more engaged reading about these characters than our main enemies to lovers. Call me bloodthirsty as well but I always have a roll my eyes moment when there's a character who won't kill in these kind of novels (Roma) when sometimes deposing of someone will literally save your life. I liked that Juliette was much more 'gangster' in that she knew sometimes you had to kill to get things done properly.

I just found it very hard to invest myself fully in this story- I found myself wandering off mid-chapter, I found that I was really motivated to really care about the main characters and overall my enjoyment level while reading it was low. I definitely appreciate lot of the themes in this book and I think they were done well, I just didn't have a good reading time.