These Violent Delights (These Violent Delights #1) by Chloe Gong Book Review

Title: These Violent Delights
Author: Chloe Gong
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: November 17, 2020
Pages: 464

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.

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My Thoughts

**Thank you so much to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for sending me an Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!**

Juliette Cai, heir of the Scarlet Gang, finally returns to Shanghai after four years. The Scarlet Gang's rival, the White Flowers have been fighting them for generations and are continuing to do so even with Juliette away. Behind all the scheming is the White Flower's heir, Roma Montagov, none other than Juliette's first love and heartbreak.

He didn't have the right. He had lost the right to pretend he had ever wanted to protect her.

When they were younger, both knew of each other and their identities but it's always been ignored. After four years, they meet again but this time, both teens are different people from when they've left off from.

Surely you can ask one favor. She was your lover once, after all.

But when an unknown monster strikes their city, the two must make the difficult decision to put their past and everything else aside to fight for their beloved city.

"Deal." This could ruin her. It could ruin everything.

Star Rating: ★★★★★ (5) ♡

I know I'm a little late to read it but it did not disappoint. I love Juliette; she's ruthless and a queen but not too surprising considering the fact that she's the head of the Scarlet Gang.

It was so exciting to see where they would pick off from four years ago and watch them grow as young adults. I loved the chemistry between the characters and the ending OMG I can't wait for book two!

Overall, These Violent Delights did not disappoint as one of my top books for 2020. I'm so excited to have read it and I can't wait for more books by the author!

About the Author

Chloe Gong is the New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and its sequel Our Violent Ends. She is a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where she double-majored in English and International Relations. Born in Shanghai and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Chloe is now located in New York pretending to be a real adult. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok under @thechloegong or check out her website at TheChloeGong.com.