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These Violent Delights #1-2
These Violent Delights Duet: These Violent Delights; Our Violent Ends
A hardcover boxed set of Chloe Gong’s New York Times bestselling These Violent Delights and its sequel, Our Violent Ends—the lush fantasy duologyreimagining Romeo and Juliet in 1920s Shanghai.
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 something is brewing in the shadows, and 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.
This heart-stopping hardcover boxed set
These Violent Delights
Our Violent Ends
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 something is brewing in the shadows, and 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.
This heart-stopping hardcover boxed set
These Violent Delights
Our Violent Ends
528 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2022
24 people are currently reading
1406 people want to read
About the author
Chloe Gong
18 books26k followersChloe Gong is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of critically acclaimed fantasy and science fiction novels, including These Violent Delights, Immortal Longings, and Coldwire. Her books have been published in over twenty countries and she was named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 for 2024. Chloe graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in English and International Relations. Born in Shanghai and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, she is now located in New York City. Visit her online at thechloegong.com and on Instagram, X, and TikTok at @thechloegong.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 31, 2021
THIS SERIES IS AMAZING. If the “Romeo and Juliet” part didn’t draw you in, how about “enemies to lovers”? If “enemies to lovers” didn’t draw you in, how about “1920s Shanghai”? If THOSE didn’t draw you in, how about “super intense alien-monster mystery?” Or “childhood lovers separated and now they’re enemies”? Or “mutual pining”? Or “low-key soulmates”? Or “knife to the throat” trope? If that doesn’t intrigue you, then I don’t think anything can.
I fell in love with Roma and Juliette’s characters INSTANTLY. As someone who has/had a mild Shakespeare obsession, this book did not disappoint. Chloe perfectly balances the originality of her own setting and characters with the classic characters Shakespeare writes. Tyler/Tybalt is perfectly translated, what with his loyalty to the blood feud and how that translates over to the Scarlets. His character arc ultimately feels satisfying.
Benvolio and Mercutio (or in this case, Benedikt and Marshall) have always been my favorite characters in the original. It doesn’t matter how many different adaptations I’ve read or watched, nothing can beat the sheer chaos and immaculate vibes of the Montacrew. The same holds true for TVD duology.
I fell in love with Roma and Juliette’s characters INSTANTLY. As someone who has/had a mild Shakespeare obsession, this book did not disappoint. Chloe perfectly balances the originality of her own setting and characters with the classic characters Shakespeare writes. Tyler/Tybalt is perfectly translated, what with his loyalty to the blood feud and how that translates over to the Scarlets. His character arc ultimately feels satisfying.
Benvolio and Mercutio (or in this case, Benedikt and Marshall) have always been my favorite characters in the original. It doesn’t matter how many different adaptations I’ve read or watched, nothing can beat the sheer chaos and immaculate vibes of the Montacrew. The same holds true for TVD duology.
February 23, 2024
❕BOOK REVIEW❕
⭐️ Rating - 3.2 stars
✨"these violent delights" series by Chloe gong ✨
“These Violent Delights" is an interesting reimagining of "Romeo and Juliet" set in 1920s Shanghai, smoothly combining historical stories, romance, and fantasy. The author creates a rich and captivating world that portrays competing gang rivalries, political instability, and an unknown virus. Using elements of Chinese culture and folklore adds a unique flavor to the story.
Book 1: The 1st book was okay, i was convinced with the 3rd person POV, i also enjoyed all the character developments and their adventures and the story should’ve ended right there.
Book 2: Up till page 300 was energy drainingly boring and literally nothing happens, i lost sight of why anything that happens matters to the characters and it felt more plot driven than character driven, so yeah i was a bit disappointed.
Then from page 300 things started to get better a bit but it wasnt enough to make up for the previous 300 pages. And just as i was about to like the story, there came that terrible ending.
Not to mention all the reading slumps i got into with the 2nd book “it took me exactly 3 months to finish”.
⭐️ Rating - 3.2 stars
✨"these violent delights" series by Chloe gong ✨
“These Violent Delights" is an interesting reimagining of "Romeo and Juliet" set in 1920s Shanghai, smoothly combining historical stories, romance, and fantasy. The author creates a rich and captivating world that portrays competing gang rivalries, political instability, and an unknown virus. Using elements of Chinese culture and folklore adds a unique flavor to the story.
Book 1: The 1st book was okay, i was convinced with the 3rd person POV, i also enjoyed all the character developments and their adventures and the story should’ve ended right there.
Book 2: Up till page 300 was energy drainingly boring and literally nothing happens, i lost sight of why anything that happens matters to the characters and it felt more plot driven than character driven, so yeah i was a bit disappointed.
Then from page 300 things started to get better a bit but it wasnt enough to make up for the previous 300 pages. And just as i was about to like the story, there came that terrible ending.
Not to mention all the reading slumps i got into with the 2nd book “it took me exactly 3 months to finish”.
May 15, 2022
DUE ROMANZI, DUE PARABOLE INVERSE
Non amo i fantasy, ma i retellings sì e, poiché molti fantasy sono anche retellings, ho deciso comunque di leggere questa duologia di Chloe Gong, basata su una delle opere migliori di William Shakespeare. Essendo "Romeo e Giulietta" una delle tragedie più note del Bardo, di cui esistono migliaia e migliaia di versioni, ero anche molto curiosa di scoprire come la Gong l'avrebbe reinterpretata e rielaborata. Sono rimasta molto soddisfatta su questo punto, dato che l'autrice ha saputo essere molto creativa e originale, soprattutto in merito ai personaggi.
Per quanto riguarda la trama, la storia impiega un bel po' per decollare, salvo poi regalare un'infinità di sorprese: siamo alla fine del primo romanzo, con la scoperta .
Il secondo romanzo descrive invece una parabola inversa. All'inizio, gli eventi diventano sempre più misteriosi e avventurosi, mentre si consolida il legame tra i due protagonisti Roma e Juliette e ci si affeziona a loro e a tutti gli altri personaggi secondari (Benedikt e Marshall, Rosalin e Kathleen, Alisa). Ad un certo punto, però, la narrazione perde smalto, almeno sin da quando viene rivelata la responsabilità di
Nonostante i suoi difetti, tuttavia, ritengo che la serie meriti moltissimo. Negli ultimi due giorni, infatti, non ho fatto altro che lodarla con amici e parenti, volando ad un metro da terra mentre facevo altro perché euforica all'idea di quando sarei tornata a rileggere le avventure di Roma e Juliette. Una lettura che non si dimentica.
Non amo i fantasy, ma i retellings sì e, poiché molti fantasy sono anche retellings, ho deciso comunque di leggere questa duologia di Chloe Gong, basata su una delle opere migliori di William Shakespeare. Essendo "Romeo e Giulietta" una delle tragedie più note del Bardo, di cui esistono migliaia e migliaia di versioni, ero anche molto curiosa di scoprire come la Gong l'avrebbe reinterpretata e rielaborata. Sono rimasta molto soddisfatta su questo punto, dato che l'autrice ha saputo essere molto creativa e originale, soprattutto in merito ai personaggi.
Per quanto riguarda la trama, la storia impiega un bel po' per decollare, salvo poi regalare un'infinità di sorprese: siamo alla fine del primo romanzo, con la scoperta .
Il secondo romanzo descrive invece una parabola inversa. All'inizio, gli eventi diventano sempre più misteriosi e avventurosi, mentre si consolida il legame tra i due protagonisti Roma e Juliette e ci si affeziona a loro e a tutti gli altri personaggi secondari (Benedikt e Marshall, Rosalin e Kathleen, Alisa). Ad un certo punto, però, la narrazione perde smalto, almeno sin da quando viene rivelata la responsabilità di
Nonostante i suoi difetti, tuttavia, ritengo che la serie meriti moltissimo. Negli ultimi due giorni, infatti, non ho fatto altro che lodarla con amici e parenti, volando ad un metro da terra mentre facevo altro perché euforica all'idea di quando sarei tornata a rileggere le avventure di Roma e Juliette. Una lettura che non si dimentica.
February 24, 2024
A little boring at first but I persevered and it was so worth. Popular book, everyone has heard of it, I do not think it is overrated at all. Though, unlike what everyone says, I do not think Our Violent Ends is absolutely heartbreaking, maybe just sad. Wait for the plot twist though, omg, so expected yet so absolutely unexpected at the same time.
The characters were very interesting and nuanced and well-developed. I find Kathleen particularly intriguing, I really wanna know more about her past. I loved the constantly changing theme of trust and betrayal, the drama, the plot twists, the mystique tm. I loved the setting, it was very unique, I don’t think I’ve read a setting like that in a very long time.
It is a Romeo and Juliet retelling set in Shangai in the late 1920’s. It enters around two rival gangs, the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers. The main character, Juliette Cai, whose point of view the story is told in for the most part (the pov does change multiple times) is the Scarlet heir and the other main character, Roma Montagov, is the heir of the White Flowers. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a plague runs through the city with massive fatalities on both sides, and the two gangs are forced to partner up if they want to survive. It follows their trials and tribulations as they aim to get rid of the plague and deal with the aftermath alongside the political chaos going on in a post-WW1 Shanghai.
The plot twists and the backstories, the history, it is so amazingly written, I love it! Would most definitely recommend. I loved it, it is a great fantasy novel and I am so excited to read Foul Lady Fortune (a new, spin-off series starring Rosalind) next!
“𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕤𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕠𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕕𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕠𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤.“
4.5/5🌟
The characters were very interesting and nuanced and well-developed. I find Kathleen particularly intriguing, I really wanna know more about her past. I loved the constantly changing theme of trust and betrayal, the drama, the plot twists, the mystique tm. I loved the setting, it was very unique, I don’t think I’ve read a setting like that in a very long time.
It is a Romeo and Juliet retelling set in Shangai in the late 1920’s. It enters around two rival gangs, the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers. The main character, Juliette Cai, whose point of view the story is told in for the most part (the pov does change multiple times) is the Scarlet heir and the other main character, Roma Montagov, is the heir of the White Flowers. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a plague runs through the city with massive fatalities on both sides, and the two gangs are forced to partner up if they want to survive. It follows their trials and tribulations as they aim to get rid of the plague and deal with the aftermath alongside the political chaos going on in a post-WW1 Shanghai.
The plot twists and the backstories, the history, it is so amazingly written, I love it! Would most definitely recommend. I loved it, it is a great fantasy novel and I am so excited to read Foul Lady Fortune (a new, spin-off series starring Rosalind) next!
“𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕤𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕠𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕕𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕠𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕤.“
4.5/5🌟
October 24, 2023
i’m gonna start off this review it’s just expressing how much i love chloe gong. to be just 23 (at the time of publishing these!) and already so successful in the book world is admirable to me. she deserves all the success too, because she has one of the most beautiful writing styles i’ve ever read. also, on social media she seems to be unapologetically herself which is a great quality to have in the age of social media.
as for the books: WOW. that ending was insane, but in the best way. it’s really a difficult thing to take a classic like romeo and juliet and make it so well redone and reimagined that it still manages to keep readers at the edge of their seats. chloe gong went above and beyond all my expectations for this duloagy and i’m so sad there’s not going to be anymore books 🥺
i loved everything about roma and juilette, the ending shook me but i wouldn’t have it any other way. also i’m always going to be obsessed with shanghai and it’s aesthetic :)
chloe gong really did her research when writing this book and it really paid off. major props to her👏🏼👏🏼.
and if you haven’t read this duloagy yet…WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!? GO BUY IT !!!
as for the books: WOW. that ending was insane, but in the best way. it’s really a difficult thing to take a classic like romeo and juliet and make it so well redone and reimagined that it still manages to keep readers at the edge of their seats. chloe gong went above and beyond all my expectations for this duloagy and i’m so sad there’s not going to be anymore books 🥺
i loved everything about roma and juilette, the ending shook me but i wouldn’t have it any other way. also i’m always going to be obsessed with shanghai and it’s aesthetic :)
chloe gong really did her research when writing this book and it really paid off. major props to her👏🏼👏🏼.
and if you haven’t read this duloagy yet…WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!? GO BUY IT !!!
May 26, 2024
'For there never was a tale of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo'
What happens when you re-imagine this tragic tale in 1920s Shangai?
You get an excellent duology by the talented Chloe Gong (@thechloegong)
It's so easy do this story wrong and she just gets it so right!
(I could go onto a whole rant about how to do/not to do a Shakespeare retelling but we don't have enough time)
You care about these characters, how ingrained the hatred between the families are. You learn a bit of history (which is always a plus for me!)
It's perfection. No notes.
Fellow Shakespeare fans, this is so worth your time!
To my understanding Chloe is planning more Shakespeare retellings and ya girl is pumped!!!
Have you read this series? Read any Shakespeare retellings?
Would love to know!
What happens when you re-imagine this tragic tale in 1920s Shangai?
You get an excellent duology by the talented Chloe Gong (@thechloegong)
It's so easy do this story wrong and she just gets it so right!
(I could go onto a whole rant about how to do/not to do a Shakespeare retelling but we don't have enough time)
You care about these characters, how ingrained the hatred between the families are. You learn a bit of history (which is always a plus for me!)
It's perfection. No notes.
Fellow Shakespeare fans, this is so worth your time!
To my understanding Chloe is planning more Shakespeare retellings and ya girl is pumped!!!
Have you read this series? Read any Shakespeare retellings?
Would love to know!
Want to read
March 16, 2022why? I just don't understand. How can I be so stupid as to be surprised when I read a ROMEO AND JUILIET RETELLING!!!!! And am now surprised when they DIE! Dear Chloe Gong you are evil but also your writing is incredible. this book caused so much pain and I give my apologies to the poor librarians who witnessed me start sobbing in a public library. so yeah. also can we just talk about how freaking cute benedikt and marshalls love confession is?!?!?!?!?! When Benedikt just yells "because I love you!!!" I literally just had to put the book down and blush it was so cute!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2025
Both books were incredibly written and I fell in love with all the characters. The first book is definitely a little slow to start but the middle and end are beautiful and leaves readers on a great cliffhanger. The second book is a lot faster, and has a perfect ending with room for speculation and enough mystery for the spin off series. A great, but new take on Romeo and Juliette with its own charm.
February 25, 2024
Love, love, love Juliette. Super fun Romeo and Juliet retelling with a mystical twist in 1920's Shanghai. Super fun plot twists that you can guess but that's why this series is fun and not completely emotionally wrecking.
November 20, 2025
one of my favooirte series of all time. juliette is so badass and roma is so amazing. like i love them both sooooo muchhhfudshfhrefhh. also i dont want anyone to hate bendikt, marshall, juliette, roma, alisa, rosalind, and celia.
December 30, 2021
See my individual review on each novel.
These Violent Delights- 3.5/5
These Violent Ends- generous 4/5
These Violent Delights- 3.5/5
These Violent Ends- generous 4/5
April 5, 2022
LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 9, 2022
My new favorite duology. These books have my hole heart and soul 🥹♥️
July 10, 2022
3.5
hahahhaha
hahahhaha
October 10, 2022
It was a tad slow for me to get through. However, I finished it in a day. The last 100 pages was were for me it was better. Very mysterious!
March 27, 2023
Me favorita book
I cried like a fucking child.
I cried like a fucking child.
June 29, 2023
mega fajna alternatywa dla Romeo i Julii
July 10, 2023
Best series ever 💗
December 25, 2023
My favorite book so far ❤️❤️ I LOVE THE LOVERS TO ENEMIES TO LOVER TROUPE AND THE PLOT TWIST IS SO GOOD
July 21, 2024
My roman empire
August 23, 2024
Hi my name is Sandra n Durham I love books finding new authors this is amazing read
April 21, 2023
Eh- I wanted to like it, had Lots of promise but I couldn’t get into it
March 21, 2025
minus one point bc why is the naked cover of ove boring and plain😭😭😭😭
BUT THE NAKED HARDBACK OF TVD SLAYS FR
BUT THE NAKED HARDBACK OF TVD SLAYS FR
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews