Book Review: These Violent Delights

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

YA | Fiction | Fantasy | Romance | Historical Fiction

Disclaimer: In every review I complete, I try my best to avoid spoilers of any kind and include spoiler warnings when necessary.

About the book (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.

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My Review

When I first picked up this book, I was afraid that it would not live up to the hype. I am glad to say that it did, though, and it was worth the read! Gong's writing style is beautiful: her words are stunning and poetic. It has been a while since I've read a YA novel that reads well, especially one that follows multiple characters.

"... the words had already been said and birthed into the world, becoming sharp arrows tearing through the rook with no target in mind, only destruction." (pg. 27).

I'm usually the type of person who can predict an ending. Thankfully, this book was an exception! I kept trying to guess what exactly was happening and what might be behind it, but I couldn't seem to pinpoint it.

"This man had pulled at a hint of glitter in the ground expecting a nugget of fold and disturbed a hornet's nest instead" (ph. 26).

My favorite part of this book is the attention to romance in a world of GANGS and RIVALRIES! I have read countless books that shove romance down your throat with absolutely no question to the potential consequences of a gang, which is unrealistic. Being a Romeo and Juliet-inspired book, Gong does a great job of not avoiding the realistic outlook of the main character's relationship. She also doesn't shy away from violence, and I am here for it.

The Good Things

1. The writing is beautiful and poetic.

2. The characters are well-written, and there are no inconsistencies in their personalities and traits. Kathleen and Marshall are my favorite characters, and Gong does an exceptional job at portraying how important it is that although they are different and can be judged for such, they will stop at nothing to ensure no one sees them that way.

3. Gong painted Shanghai in the 1920s beautifully! I am wildly impressed.

4. I think I'm team White-Flower, but only because they are not all expected to be involved due to blood. If you've read the book, What team are you?

The Bad Things

1. To the normal reader -especially being a YA book- the book might be a little bit slow to start. The world-building is wonderful and makes sense, but Gong focuses a LOT on things that didn't necessarily pertain to the story. That being said, I personally enjoy these types of books, so I didn't mind it all that much!

My Final Rating:

☆☆☆☆☆ (Goodreads)

☆☆☆☆☆ (Amazon)

☆☆☆☆☆ (Blog)

Please feel free to leave comments concerning how you liked -or didn't like, no judgment here- These Violent Delights. I would love to hear your thoughts!