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.
Review:
Wow! That was absolutely gorgeous. From the very first page until the very end, I was invested in Juliette and Roma's story. It was romantic and so deliciously forbidden. Gong takes a classic tale and makes it all her own. The best thing about These Violent Delights is that it takes place in 1926 Shanghai.
Juliette is the heroine you've longed for-she's strong and fiercely independent. I loved her immediately. I think readers will love this because it has a hot trope, enemies-to-lovers! The best kind, in my humble opinion.
Honestly, I wasn't a fan of the original play of Romeo & Juliet. Gasp...I know! I'm terrible. For some odd reason, I always end up loving the retelling of the classic tale. However, Gong's version is by far my favorite. I'm in love with it. I can't wait for the second book to come.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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About the author:
Chloe Gong is an undergraduate at the University of Pennsylvania, studying English and International Relations. During her breaks, she’s either at home in New Zealand or visiting her many relatives in Shanghai. Chloe has been known to mysteriously appear by chanting “Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s best plays and doesn’t deserve its slander in pop culture” into a mirror three times. You can find her on Twitter @thechloegong, check out her website at thechloegong.com or email her at chloegongwrites@gmail.com.
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