Review of ‘These Violent Delights’

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

Sometimes historical fiction with a splash of fantasy can be tricky to pull off. However, Chloe Gong does a splendid job of submerging readers in 1920s Shanghai in These Violent Delights.

World-Building

World-building is crucial when doing a novel that falls into the historical fiction genre because, as readers, we are already somewhat familiar with periods. So, the structure has to be sound; it has to be believable and ground the reader in the story. When anyone thinks of the 1920s, they think of gangsters, prohibition, speakeasies, and flapper dresses, and Gong gives that to readers.

Gong builds up this retelling of Romeo and Juliet with incredible detail and a believable plot of warring gangsters. There probably were many Romeo and Juliet romances in real life. The point is that it is believable. The reader does not have to suspend their belief when reading the story because it is grounded and plays on the era's romanticization to grip the reader.

There is such excellent detail that went into creating this world and it has this sharp edge to it to highlight the danger around every corner. This is, after all, a story about mobsters and monsters. Nevertheless, that detail, the color that Gong paints into her storytelling creates a beautiful painting, with shadows in all the delicate and places to add to the romanticization and mystery of the 1920s.

Characterization & Diversity

What also makes this a good retelling is how different it is. Gong took liberties to the romance of Romeo and Juliet by having the lovers be enemies. Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov are so different from their parent story in the best way.

It is always great to see the story retold cleverly and uniquely, and that is what Chloe Gong has done with her story. Gong gives readers something new and unique. Juliette is rougher around the edges, more brutal, but she was always a bit cleverer than Romeo and it is great to see her intelligence elevated to new heights here.

Juliette is not the only character to shine here. Gong brings new life to this cast of characters. Everyone from the original play is here, but there is diversity and tension in their voices and characterization. Gong gives the LGBTQ community some strong representation. It is subtle in the context of the story, once again, this goes towards bringing out the realism, but it is evident to the reader which is great.

Final Thoughts

There is so much about this fantastic novel. From the brilliant characterization to the vivid world-building, These Violent Delights is a unique and standout retelling of Romeo and Juliet with a marvelous fantastical twist highlighting the tension throughout the novel, giving the story an exceptional edge.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

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About the Author

Cynthia Bujnicki graduated from Emerson College with a BA in Writing, Literature and Publishing. She has always loved to read since she was a child. A contributing writer for YA Fantasy Addicts, she is also the Editor-in-Chief for Cyn's Workshop. She lives in sunny South Florida with her husband and son and their two cats, Mr. J the Kitten and Nyx.