tl;dr STUNNING sequel to These Violent Delights (a reimagining of Romeo & Juliet set in 1920s Shanghai) that hits all the right boxes. DID NOT DISAPPOINT.
Premise
The year is 1927, and Shanghai teeters on the edge of revolution.
After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from the blood feud, Juliette has been a girl on the warpath. One wrong move, and her cousin will step in to usurp her place as the Scarlet Gang’s heir. The only way to save the boy she loves from the wrath of the Scarlets is to have him want her dead for murdering his best friend in cold blood. If Juliette were actually guilty of the crime Roma believes she committed, his rejection might sting less.
Roma is still reeling from Marshall’s death, and his cousin Benedikt will barely speak to him. Roma knows it’s his fault for letting the ruthless Juliette back into his life, and he’s determined to set things right—even if that means killing the girl he hates and loves with equal measure.
Then a new monstrous danger emerges in the city, and though secrets keep them apart, Juliette must secure Roma’s cooperation if they are to end this threat once and for all. Shanghai is already at a boiling point: The Nationalists are marching in, whispers of civil war brew louder every day, and gangster rule faces complete annihilation. Roma and Juliette must put aside their differences to combat monsters and politics, but they aren’t prepared for the biggest threat of all: protecting their hearts from each other.
Rating
100/5 stars
Review
I--I'm crying sad and happy tears at the same time. Who let Chloe Gong have this much power over my emotions.
Genuinely one of the best books I've ever read, and an instant all-time favorite.
I had such high expectations for this book, and I'm not lying when I say Our Violent Ends blew them all out of the water. The book managed to surpass its predecessor in all accounts: it goes even deeper into each individual character's development and provides infinitely more plot intricacies. The character work in this book is so in-depth, and the side characters are all so fleshed out and complex. The way Chloe Gong was able to craft a specialized story of each of them is truly beyond. That also means you're 10x more attached to them than before, and THE EMOTIONS. THE EMOTIONS.
I need an entire paragraph to discuss my queen, my knife wife, my lover: Juliette Cai. Her character development was the most impressive to me because it slowly deconstructed her morally grey nature. Yes, she's not afraid to pull a trigger and set off destruction. But above all, she fights for love, she fights for the people, and she never goes down without a fight. A million stars to her. She and Roma are the definition of soulmates, and I can only hope to find a bond that runs as deep as the one connecting the two of them.
The plot was so intriguing, with several different plotlines eventually intersecting in a climactic conflict. This book brings in a lot more political intrigue, bringing the conflict beyond the blood feud. It's full of plot twists and shock moments that literally made my jaw drop and had me wanting to take a lap around the room. Chloe Gong really builds up the suspense and keeps you on your toes. There's a wonderful balance between action-packed conflict and tender, sweet moments between characters. If that doesn't encapsulate the character of Juliette Cai, then I don't know what will.
Also, a moment of appreciation for Chloe Gong's writing because her prose is truly beyond. So lyrical, so beautiful.
My heart is broken. My heart is partially put together. My heart adores this book in its entirety.
Thank you to NetGalley & Simon and Schuster for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Other Info
Sequel to These Violent Delights; conclusion to the duology with a companion duology coming in 2022)
Releases November 16, 2021
14+
CW: suicidal ideation/actions, violence, death, gore
Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Violent-Ends-These-Delights/dp/1534457720
Would I Recommend?
Without a doubt.
Similar Books
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong (the first book in the series)