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It's a tragedy to not read this book. — SubMonth #1
- Jhanya&Ria's Corner
- Sep 4, 2021
- 14 min read
Updated: Sep 11, 2021
"Too many kind hearts turn cold every day." - Juliette Cai
These Violent Delights
Chloe Gong
Amazon Kindle and Leading Bookstores.
17 November 2020
464 Pages
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, for if they can’t stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.
content warning: violence, gore, blood, death, abuse, racism, mentions of drug use, grief
Jhanya: Happy SubMonth everyone!!! It’s finally here. Our first review for Jhanya & Ria’s Corner’s Subscriber Month! Before we start with the review, we just want to thank everyone for supporting our blog over the past 6 months. This may have started as a channel for me and Ria to express our loud thoughts on books, music, and movies, but we’re glad that we have been, and will continue to share it all with you through this blog.
Ria: Subscriber Month is fully in!! And our first review for it is live right now!! (well, you’re reading it) I want to thank everyone who has been supporting our blog for the past six months. Can you believe it has already been half a year? It seems only yesterday I was stressing over using Wix for the website lol. I’m so grateful for all of you because without you guys we would have not continued on. We hope that you can continue alongside us in our journey.
Table of Contents:
First Impressions
Jhanya: I’ve had These Violent Delights on my reading list since the day it was released last year. I just avoided it until now because I hated Romeo & Juliet (some of it still lingers to this day). I first read it when I was around 7th or 8th grade and absolutely despised how superficial R&J’s “love” was. The fact that I also adored Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship made me dislike the insta-love of R&J even more.
After I read These Violent Delights though, I want to hug the 2 people that recommended this book to us this SubMonth. Because WOW. I was simply blown away. I didn’t really know what to expect because all I really knew about this book before reading was that it was a Romeo and Juliet 1920s, Chinese gangsters retelling, nothing else. So imagine my surprise when I was hooked right from the first chapter mainly because of its writing style.
Ria: Jhanya was the one who introduced the book to me through SubMonth. I’d had too many books on my “to-read” list, I didn’t bother voluntarily looking for more to add to it anymore. I was already fearing that I didn’t have enough time to even go through my list. Anyhow, I’m absolutely ecstatic that I was able to read this gem because I’m so in love with it. I’m so grateful to the wonderful people who recommended this, you guys are awesome!
Story + Pacing
Jhanya: The pacing may be slow for most people. I can already tell while reading it. BUT I appreciated the slow pacing because I felt more immersed in the plot and the city of Shanghai, and there were very few times where I found myself skimming through a paragraph. In my honest opinion, this is where it shows that this was Chloe Gong’s debut novel.
Despite this, I loved the many twists it had on the original Romeo & Juliet. It was so creative and refreshing. From the eyebrow-raising historical gangster concept to the fantasy/supernatural aspects added to the book, it kept me glued to the book for hours on end. Each chapter had its own charm and excitement that I never got bored of it while reading. These Violent Delights was able to become its own story and book away from Romeo & Juliet, while still having references from the original.
Ria: I wouldn’t say it to be slow. I didn’t mind the pace since the point of view was third-person omniscient. It is important to go through all the characters and what they were up to throughout the story. This leads me to how the point of view is used. The point of view was used very powerfully. Through this point of view, the readers knew of all the elements to unravel the mystery before the characters. This helped the readers in focusing more on the descriptive writing style, how the characters were built up and their relationships, and the colorful culture splattered across the page.
I’d also like to note that even though this is a Romeo and Juliet modern retelling, the romance did not overshadow the adventure and mystery aspects. All worked hand-in-hand. While the past was unraveled, the supernatural monster did as well. The whole book really kept you glued to the book, making you want to know more and know what the heck is happening.
Romance
Jhanya: For a Romeo & Juliet retelling, this book had Romance scenes fewer than that of to be expected. I’m not complaining though, because when it happened, IT WAS SO GOOD. I know that Roma is no knight in shining armor in this book and Juliette definitely doesn’t need one (yas kween), but I could melt from all the “speeches” they gave to one another throughout the chapters. It was a slow burn type of romance, but the enemies-to-lovers trope was very well executed amidst the madness and chaos happening in the city that you would forget about all of it during the romance parts. I gotta be honest though, I was not expecting this book to have a second-chance romance storyline. And the angst absolutely tore my heart at some point.
Ria: Like what I’ve said, the romance was intertwined within the book. The author didn’t dwell as much as I expected on Juliette and Roma’s love story and I’m actually quite happy with that. It was through their journey of being stuck together they confronted their past and their romance really shone. I can say that this is a slow burn and the kind of slow-burn is the one I absolutely love.
Political Aspects + Cultural representation
“The land of dreams. Where men and women in white hoods roam the streets to murder Black folks. Where written laws prohibit the Chinese from stepping upon its shores. Where immigrant children are separated from immigrant mothers on Ellis Island, never to be seen again. Even the land of dreams needs to wake up sometimes. And though there may be beauty beneath its core rot, though it is big and open and plentiful, hiding those who want to be hidden and shining on those who wish to be remembered, it is elsewhere.”
Jhanya: As most of us know, China was a very mixed country during these times. And as mentioned in the story, the bustling city of Shanghai was filled with the British, French, Russians, etc. to a point that even Juliette felt foreign in her own homeland.
These parts were, imo, the highlight of the book. Chloe Gong was able to insert them into the story so smoothly, so beautifully written, that it would catch me off guard and in awe almost every time. Calling out the constant racism and whitewashing of westerners during that time absolutely made my day. They just made me love this book even more. May it be from Juliet’s thoughts or her deliberately saying it out loud, all her comments on the racial injustice done to Asians by the whites despite needing them for their plan of world domination were so powerful.
Ria: YES!! This is what I probably almost loved the most in the plot of the book. China has such a rich culture and bloody history that even I, a violence-hater, enjoy learning and reading more about it. Chloe Gong is so gifted in being able to incorporate history, politics, and culture alongside the story proper. The book gave me a fun history, politics, and Chinese cultural lesson. It made me want to recall my older lessons on it. Aside from this, I also love the representation in this book. There were representatives of the Chinese, Russian, French, British, and other ethnicities. Representation of genders was also present. I’ll leave it up to you guys to figure it out.
Writing Style
Jhanya: If the cultural aspects and representation of the book were the highlights, the writing style of These Violent Delights is the reason to read this book. I had a separate category/color of highlights for the parts that I thought were beautifully written, and they totaled to around 30+ highlights when I finished. It was very beautiful. The details in every line were so intricate and in-depth without it being too overwhelming and fancy. Each line had so much attention to detail, from the layout of the city and its buildings to the dining table of the Cai manor. Right from the first chapter, all I could think of was how good the writing was in this book. It really immerses the reader. It gave me the feeling of being in Shanghai along with the characters throughout the whole story. I can’t even imagine how much research on ancient Shanghai Gong had to do for this book. I mean, I can, but it’s so many that I don’t even wanna dive into it lmao.
Ria: This is probably something I fangirled over so much at the start of the book. I had so many notes of me analyzing the writing style. HAHAHAHAHAH So let’s get on to that. I honestly have great respect for Chloe Gong because her writing style is uniquely descriptive and insightful. Her use of imagery and figures of speech is plentiful throughout the whole book. Although, beware of when it is used literally or metaphorically. I was able to work on my reading analysis throughout the book and see the connections from chapter to chapter. She keeps you immersed and she pulls you in with every line.
Characters
Jhanya: This was an absolute *chef’s kiss*. The characters, overall, were very well written. Everyone was properly built throughout the story. However, despite this being an R&J retelling, Juliette got most of the spotlight in the book (as she should’ve). The “supporting” characters were also very significant in the story to a point that they all deserve their own books xD
Ria: Each character in this book was developed very well. Each had its own strengths and flaws and through their interactions, we see the differences among them and how their upbringing has shaped them to be who they’ve become.
Starting with our female protagonist, Juliette Cai. She is a badass female character with such a strong character. Her character as a headstrong and hot-tempered woman is both her strength and weakness. She is also bravely protective of her people and family. I really love her character and how she holds herself in front of everyone. AND I have to mention that the number of languages that she knows is astounding I would really love to be like her.
Jhanya: Oh Juliette…. I’m not sure how many times I’ve noted “I LOVE HER” and “SAME/MOOD” in my notes while reading. I’ve said it before, and I’m saying it again. Asian women are the baddest b*tches on the planet. As an Asian, Juliette was a very relatable character. She seemed perfect and very put together on the outside, but has a gazillion demons on the inside. But despite this, her number one priority will always be her people and family. Even if it costs her life. Her experience overseas has also helped her grow into the person that she is now, as opposed to 4 years ago, and gain insight into the truth of what is happening in the west, where Asians are constantly being looked down upon by westerners.
Ria: Following with the male protagonist Roma Montagov. He is someone I had a harder time deciphering. I can say that he is a bit of a puzzle but he always has the best intentions at heart. You can also see from him how utterly tired he is of… life. (very relatable) Overall, my heart is always melting for Roma and I just wish (really really wish) that he gets the happiness and peace he deserves.
Jhanya: Roma <333 huhu The number of times I’ve fangirled and got my heart broken for him throughout this book is almost the same as the number of times he was mentioned. Unlike Juliet, Roma is someone that the readers had to piece together as a character slowly throughout the book and this just made me love his character even more. He may not have been the most put-together character in this book, but that’s what makes him stand out from the rest of the cast. He’s simply tired of all that is happening and just wants peace.
(Side note: I regret ever looking at the art for this book because when I saw Roma I think I fell in love. He’s just my type akjdhjkdldf He was also wearing a three-piece suit ;-; my absolute weakness)
Before going into their relationship, can I just say? I went into this book thinking I could get away from the singleness I’ve been feeling from binge-watching multiple dramas over the past weeks. Instead, I just felt even more single while and after reading this book. Roma and Juliette just had so much chemistry right from Chapter 1. To say that Roma & Juliette had it all would be an understatement. Their relationship had the enemies-to-lovers trope twice, second-chance-romance trope, childhood friends trope, and star-crossed lovers trope. And Chloe Gong had me rooting for them the entire way despite all the angst, longing, and heartaches. However, it is fun to note that Roma isn’t the knight in shining armor that the original Romeo was. Juliette didn’t “need” him for saving.
Ria: I love these supporting characters. Even though they are supporting, their characters were built up so well also. They weren’t half-heartedly done (as we can see in other books). They are their own personal protagonist in their lives. We see their personal opinions and views, what they had to go through and what they are going through. Benedikt, Mars, Kathleen, and Rosalind all have my heart. They are really relatable characters that shape the story as well. I know that without them, this book would have been very different from what it is now.
Jhanya: As Ria has summed it all up so well, I just want to say that Marshall is precious and must be protected at all costs. (unless u know… you’ve reached chapter 38)
The antagonists weren’t really the standouts in this book. They were mainly there to stir up the plot of the book and shock the reader from time to time. But I’m also saying this because we all know that the real antagonists in this story are the westerners that want to colonize China, and Asia in general, because of their belief that they are “above everyone else”. I’d also just like to quote this line in the book because I shouted a bit too loudly after reading it: “They sip away on their tea and claim they invented it,” the second man continued. “Think again, fool. The Chinese were brewing tea before you even had a king.”
Ria: Let’s start with the most obvious antagonist which is the monster lurking in the shadows. Not gonna lie, in the prologue, I thought the monster being said was some kind of metaphorical monster that they have to battle. Turns out, I was wrong, really really wrong. AHAHAHAAHAHA
The next antagonists would probably be both fathers of Juliette and Roma. To be honest, though, I don’t see Lord Cai as super bad. I just feel that he does have his reservations but he does care about this madness that’s going around, thus, he delegates this task to Juliette. It’s also more of his indifference that sets me off. BUT, Lord Montagov pisses me off big time. I mean, I expected him to be the one to worry most about this because he’s probably most affected but NOOOOOOOO. He chooses to do absolutely nothing. Not even ask Roma to do stuff. He just does nothing. It’s obvious that his care for people is lackluster to the point where as long as HE’s alive everything is peachy.
And the worst character ever created, (half joke) Tyler Cai. I hate him. I despise him. I want to kill him but make sure he’s still alive so that he can SUFFER. He’s also honestly so stupid. He’s sorta like Lord Montagov in the way that he doesn’t care about this madness and just allows it to rampage on the streets. Does he not know that if everyone dies he’d be left to rule no one? Obviously, no, he doesn’t realize it. So he’s stupid. Regardless, I don’t care if he’s stupid. He can be stupid and just mind his own business but noooooo, he has to go ahead and challenge Juliette like he’s far more superior than her. Ugh, give me a break and wake up dude, your not. …*rant over*
Favorite Chapters/Moments
WARNING: Spoilers ahead.
Chapter 18: Coz that fight scene was too good, both story-wise and how it was written. Roma <333
Chapter 22: I loooooved this chapter because it really showed the differences between Roma and Juliette. /spoiler/ Juliette chooses to shoot and kill without even a blink of an eye but Roma chooses to save people as much as possible. He is more prone to saving than killing even though s/he could be an enemy. Juliette chooses her own safety by, naturally, eliminating the threat.
Chapter 25: A very subtle but crucial chapter that also greatly highlights Juliette’s character. Also, Marshall now equals Roma as my favorite ML ahahaha
Chapter 30: Roma spilling his heart out is such an emotionally awesome scene because it also showed what (or who) his priorities are.
Chapter 33: LOL I laughed so hard. I mean it’s almost the end of the world in shanghai n y’all are kissing AHAHAHAHAAH
Chapter 36: Everyone who’s read the book has some kind of reaction to this chapter.
Final Thoughts
Jhanya: As I mentioned at the start. These Violent Delights was a very welcome surprise. Though I’m already a sucker for HistoFic books in general, it was the writing and details of this book that really made it stand out from the rest. The details didn’t bore me like it usually does when I read HistoFic books. Instead, it pulled me in and held me tight all throughout, just like my aunts when I go to family gatherings xD The cultural representation of this book was both subtle and impactful at the same time. Every time it came up I had the urge to clap my hands at how smoothly it was written. I kinda regret that I didn’t put this high on my priority list earlier, but I’m also glad that I was encouraged to read it because of this SubMonth.
Ria: Overall, I looove love love this book. I super want to thank those people who introduced me to this because I’ve never felt so happy that I read a book recommended by others. This book ticked off all my boxes: writing, plot, characters, representation. It made me feel everything that I could have felt throughout the book and made me really analyze the book at the same time. I also learned so much about history, politics, and culture in the history of Shanghai (which is a bonus tbh). I am recommending this book to everyone. Even though there’s the content of violence, gore, and death, it isn’t as detailed as I thought it would be. It actually isn’t so bad. It has the right about of description, emotion, and imagination for you. So, again, read this book!! It is such a worthy read.
Jhanya: I do have to add though, I’m also thankful that I read this book this year instead of last year. Or else I would’ve had to pick between this and Beach Read as my #1 book for 2020 ahahahaha.
Speaking of the end, Chloe Gong ended the book in the middle of the climax like HUH Can you please give me book 2 already ;-;
Ria: OMG SAME. I’m so happy that book 2 is coming out this November (stay tuned for awesome stuff on that month ;)) and not in the near future. I can’t with that cliffhanger pls
Rating
Criteria | Jhanya | Ria |
|---|---|---|
Story/Plot (2) | 2 | 2 |
Characters (2) | 1.75 | 2 |
Writing (2) | 2 | 2 |
Morale (1) | 1 | 1 |
Originality (1) | 0.75 | 0.75 |
Relevance (1) | 1 | 0.5 |
Reread Value (1) | 0.75 | 1 |
TOTAL | 9.25 | 9.25 |
Final Score | 9.25 | |
FINAL RATING:
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