These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
Review by Haddiya A., Youth Reviewer
“You destroy me and then you kiss me. You give me a reason to hate you and then you give me a reason to love you. Is this a lie or the truth? Is this a ploy or is your heart reaching for me?” (Gong, 2020)
“These Violent Delights” by Chloe Gong is a thriller romance that takes place in 1920 Shanghai, China. The city is ruled by two gangster groups, the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers, the two gangs have a long history of bloodshed and money scandals. A blood feud between the two gangs leaves the city in chaos, As rumours of a monster spreading a contagious madness that makes a person rip out their own throat spread, and deaths stack up. The two heirs of the gang, 18-year-old Juliet Cia, of the scarlet gang and Roma Montagov of the white flowers, must put their differences and grudges aside and work together to find a cure to the madness before it devours the whole city. But the little secret no one knows is the forbidden love affair between the two heirs, which will test Juliet and Roma in unimaginable ways. Will they find a happy ever after? Or will the pressure of the city swallow them whole?
“The stars incline us, they do not bind us.” (Gong, 2020)
“These Violent Delights” is the first book of the two-book series. This book is quick-paced and filled with many twists and heart-aching cliffhangers. However, I warn future readers that the book is a bit bloody and contains some reader-sensitive content. My favourite part of the book was the heart-throbbing romance, I mean who doesn't love an enemy-to-lovers couple? I also loved the slow brewing background couple. I loved the adventurous plot of the book because it was very well-written and addicting in its own way. The characters were very well developed and it's impossible to choose a favourite character. I would give this book a 5/5. I highly recommend this book to someone that loves mystery, romance, and action, if you enjoy the first book you will love the second book “Our Violent Ends”.
Find “These Violent Delights” at the Kitchener Public Library!