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These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong


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.


Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.


Book # 67 of 2021


REVIEW: DO NOT sleep on this book!!!! This dark Romeo and Juliet retelling is the debut novel by Gong and it is absolutely incredible!!! It is not anything at all like what I was expecting and in the best way!! This was unexpected and just magical. While I don't want to say much about the plot because I don't want to give one tiny part of the plot away, I will say that the twists and turns are masterful. All the characters are multi-faceted and interesting and it leads you to mistrust everyone! The "madness" sweeping through the city is horrifying and the cause and reason behind them are even more so. There's action and romance, and betrayal and it's delicious. This book was absolutely phenomenal and one I will be thinking about until I get book 2 in my hands!!


Publication Date: November 17, 2020





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