CHLOE GONG
(Book 1 in These Violent Delights Duology)
Synopsis:
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
My rating: ★★★★★
Categories: YA, upper YA, retelling, Romeo and Juliet, romance, historical fiction
Content:
Language: Several uses of minor swear words, insults, and a few uses of stronger language.
Violence: As the title implies, the book does get pretty violent at times. There are several graphic descriptions of people tearing out their own throats, and a lot of blood. The story also revolves around two brutal gangs, so the main characters kill/injure people multiple times throughout the book. There is also a bit of torture/allusions to torture, discussions of mass killings/casualties, murders, and there is a monster bringing terror and death to the people of Shanghai. There are also several references to drug use as the gangs manufacture drugs and sell them to the people. Some readers might also be sensitive to the multiple disturbing descriptions of insects.
Sex: There are several mentions/allusions to prostitution and mentions of brothels, romantic pining and attraction, and there are a few kisses. At one point, two characters are drunk and end up in a bed together, but nothing explicit occurs and their intentions were not explicit either.
LGBTQ: One of the characters is trans and there is an undertone of attraction between two male characters.
My Review: I loved this book so much more than I thought I would! The writing style was beautiful and I loved all the characters. If you aren't a fan of lyrical writing, you might want to look for another book, though.