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lainiereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
okay i will just die now thank u
100/100 stars perfect book love u miss chloe
after reflecting i’m definitely adding this to my tops 10 books, but it is honestly in my top 3 books right now, i am in love
100/100 stars perfect book love u miss chloe
after reflecting i’m definitely adding this to my tops 10 books, but it is honestly in my top 3 books right now, i am in love
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, and War
rebeccaxpaige's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book will have you on the edge of your seat no doubt. Here you have a sequel that is shocking, humourous and in its foundation, political. I do not want to reveal too much but Gong has successfully crafted the most complex and riveting characters. Juliette is wise, cutthroat and embodies a much more empowered version of her original character written by Shakespeare. Though she is wise, she is also flawed— which makes her loveable. She is unfairly torn between two political forces: loyalty or betrayal. Roma is another complex character who pales in comparison to his sister, Alisa who is not a central plot device by any means; but she proves herself to be a hero in her own right in this mind boggling, emotionally distressing (in the best way possible) young adult masterpiece.
I will not say anything else other than if you want to see what real women are made of, you must read this book. 5 of the easiest stars I gave this year.
I will not say anything else other than if you want to see what real women are made of, you must read this book. 5 of the easiest stars I gave this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
nightfell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Chloe Gong really said: oh you want angst? I'll give you 490 pages of it with only three happy scenes to sustain you. And although it was hard to read because of all the unending angst, it was a big part of why I rated it 5 stars.
I honestly have no complaints for this book, it was perfect, a masterpiece, so interesting and engaging....just not fun because of all the angst (I'll keep saying angst get used to it). I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to make it through because the way these characters were yearning for each other for so long was immaculate, and very intense. I really liked how the author switched from plot driven to character driven in this book compared to the first one. These violent delights needed to be more plot centred because it covers what the duology is mainly about, with the imperialism and the monsters. And in this one, that is still a focus, but the characters were developed over the course of this book, as well as their relationships with each other, and that's why I loved this book so much.
When I finished These Violent Delights, I honestly wasn't rooting for Roma and Juliette to get together. We just found out that she was responsible for the death of his mother, and although she didn't really kill Marshall, making Roma and Benedikt believe she had is arguably just as bad. I know that the book tried to make the whole 'she killed his mum' thing seem like not a big deal, but it should be. However, reading the second book made me not care as much once I saw how much both characters suffered and yearned for each other, I just wanted them to be together so bad. Despite this, the way the author handled this whole situation was SO funny it's the more unbelievable than literal monsters invading the city:
Benedikt is distraught mourning Marshall's death, and confronts Roma, reminding him that Juliette basically killed his mum. And this man thinks it over, and comes to the conclusion that killing is best FRIEND is worse that killing his MOTHER. EXCUSE ME? WHAT? WHO IS THIS MAN? And I may have made this up but I swear at one point Roma mentions how he loved his mum and was close to her. And he's really holding more of a grudge over his street rat of a friend? (No hate to Marshall, I love him. He is a rat tho).
Anyway, I just felt terrible for Roma, he literally suffered for the entire duology, and after all the horrendous things Juliette has inflicted on him, he still can't help but love her and it's was so devastating to see him almost rip himself apart angsting about it. Meanwhile Juliette is just as torn up, and I'm still in pain. I really liked how their relationship evolved from the first book, and I ship them even more.
The role reversal in their relationship dynamic made me love Juliette, as I didn't really like her in the first book, but it really helped to see her more vulnerable side which really came out in this book more often, as well as her soft side, which was what warmed me to her. She was so silly and goofy in this book Chloe Gong MADE me love her. And I loved all of Juliette's relationships with other characters, such as Marshall. I love how their friendship bloomed from the fake death hide out situation they were so cute, and I'm still sad that they never got to say goodbye. I like how Benedikt slowly warmed to her, and her and Alisa relationship over the course of the duology.
My favourite parts of the book have to be:
- The first chapter (THAT IS HOW YOU START A SEQUAL)
- The entirety of Roma and Juliette's trip to Zhouzhuang, it was so comforting despite the angst, and the fact that the book ends with Alisa in Zhouzhuang seeing a mysterious couple across the lake who are hinted to being Roma and Juliette's souls reunited there after they died is beautiful.
- Every Marshall and Benedikt scene, their angry love confession scene was perfection, I'm still not over the fact that Marshall was (secretly) simping the entire duology.
- The duel/shoot out scene with Tyler and Roma, it was so tense and one of my favourite Juliette moments, she was so vulnerable I loved it.
- The entire ending battle sequence (basically the last 100-150 pages) it was such as good ending. The way you see Kathleen slowly believing in the communists' cause to fully joining them and becoming Celia was such a good progression of her character, I wish we saw more of her in our violent ends but the book didn't need to be longer at the same time. I wish Kathleen and Juliette's goodbye wasn't so sad, I loved their relationship. (Also I knew Rosalind was a spy, but the fact that she was dating Dimitri, was the blackmailer and was helping the rise of the monsters was a twist I wasn't expecting, it was good, I just don't care about her).
Roma and Juliette's end was perfectly done. I liked how it empowered them as opposed to Romeo and Juliet. I liked how they were death trope because it would have been anticlimactic otherwise, even though it hurts. The more I think about it, the more destined it seems. Like how Juliette told Roma she could never be his lover, only his killer in the first book, and she was the one to throw the lighter, killing them. How Benedikt says he wished Roma and Juliette wouldn't burn the world down every time they chose each other, and they probably burned a lot of Shanghai with the vaccine, included each other. And so many other times throughout the duology where she knows they won't survive loving each other. I just know they're living their best lives in heaven or Zhouzhuang, as are Benedikt and Marshall. And Alisa and Celia.
Overall, Our Violent Ends was an incredible book, and so deserving the five stars I gave it. The duology stands so strong, and everyone who wants a Romeo and Juliette retelling that is better than the source material should read it, along with anyone who like historical fiction, and wants to learn about Shanghai in the 1920s, as it was depicted so well and in a way that is understandable and enjoyable. Someone needs to start a gofundme so Chloe Gong can pay all of our therapy bills, she can't keep getting away with this.
(ALSO I WAS RIGHT, ROMA AND JULIETTE MENTIONING STABBING EACH OTHER DURING THEIR SEX SCENE, KNIFE KINK CONFIRMED).
I honestly have no complaints for this book, it was perfect, a masterpiece, so interesting and engaging....just not fun because of all the angst (I'll keep saying angst get used to it). I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to make it through because the way these characters were yearning for each other for so long was immaculate, and very intense. I really liked how the author switched from plot driven to character driven in this book compared to the first one. These violent delights needed to be more plot centred because it covers what the duology is mainly about, with the imperialism and the monsters. And in this one, that is still a focus, but the characters were developed over the course of this book, as well as their relationships with each other, and that's why I loved this book so much.
Benedikt is distraught mourning Marshall's death, and confronts Roma, reminding him that Juliette basically killed his mum. And this man thinks it over, and comes to the conclusion that killing is best FRIEND is worse that killing his MOTHER. EXCUSE ME? WHAT? WHO IS THIS MAN? And I may have made this up but I swear at one point Roma mentions how he loved his mum and was close to her. And he's really holding more of a grudge over his street rat of a friend? (No hate to Marshall, I love him. He is a rat tho).
Anyway, I just felt terrible for Roma, he literally suffered for the entire duology, and after all the horrendous things Juliette has inflicted on him, he still can't help but love her and it's was so devastating to see him almost rip himself apart angsting about it. Meanwhile Juliette is just as torn up, and I'm still in pain. I really liked how their relationship evolved from the first book, and I ship them even more.
The role reversal in their relationship dynamic made me love Juliette, as I didn't really like her in the first book, but it really helped to see her more vulnerable side which really came out in this book more often, as well as her soft side, which was what warmed me to her. She was so silly and goofy in this book Chloe Gong MADE me love her. And I loved all of Juliette's relationships with other characters, such as Marshall. I love how their friendship bloomed from the fake death hide out situation they were so cute, and I'm still sad that they never got to say goodbye. I like how Benedikt slowly warmed to her, and her and Alisa relationship over the course of the duology.
My favourite parts of the book have to be:
- The first chapter (THAT IS HOW YOU START A SEQUAL)
- The entirety of Roma and Juliette's trip to Zhouzhuang, it was so comforting despite the angst, and the fact that the book ends with Alisa in Zhouzhuang seeing a mysterious couple across the lake who are hinted to being Roma and Juliette's souls reunited there after they died is beautiful.
- Every Marshall and Benedikt scene, their angry love confession scene was perfection, I'm still not over the fact that Marshall was (secretly) simping the entire duology.
- The duel/shoot out scene with Tyler and Roma, it was so tense and one of my favourite Juliette moments, she was so vulnerable I loved it.
- The entire ending battle sequence (basically the last 100-150 pages) it was such as good ending. The way you see Kathleen slowly believing in the communists' cause to fully joining them and becoming Celia was such a good progression of her character, I wish we saw more of her in our violent ends but the book didn't need to be longer at the same time. I wish Kathleen and Juliette's goodbye wasn't so sad, I loved their relationship. (Also I knew Rosalind was a spy, but the fact that she was dating Dimitri, was the blackmailer and was helping the rise of the monsters was a twist I wasn't expecting, it was good, I just don't care about her).
Roma and Juliette's end was perfectly done. I liked how it empowered them as opposed to Romeo and Juliet. I liked how they were death trope because it would have been anticlimactic otherwise, even though it hurts. The more I think about it, the more destined it seems. Like how Juliette told Roma she could never be his lover, only his killer in the first book, and she was the one to throw the lighter, killing them. How Benedikt says he wished Roma and Juliette wouldn't burn the world down every time they chose each other, and they probably burned a lot of Shanghai with the vaccine, included each other. And so many other times throughout the duology where she knows they won't survive loving each other. I just know they're living their best lives in heaven or Zhouzhuang, as are Benedikt and Marshall. And Alisa and Celia.
Overall, Our Violent Ends was an incredible book, and so deserving the five stars I gave it. The duology stands so strong, and everyone who wants a Romeo and Juliette retelling that is better than the source material should read it, along with anyone who like historical fiction, and wants to learn about Shanghai in the 1920s, as it was depicted so well and in a way that is understandable and enjoyable. Someone needs to start a gofundme so Chloe Gong can pay all of our therapy bills, she can't keep getting away with this.
(ALSO I WAS RIGHT, ROMA AND JULIETTE MENTIONING STABBING EACH OTHER DURING THEIR SEX SCENE, KNIFE KINK CONFIRMED).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Suicide, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
solouncapitulomas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“It was all one and the same. It was this city, divided by names and colors and turfs, but somehow bleeding the exact same shade of violence.”
I cried, I broke apart and pulled myself back together while reading this book, I do have a lot to say but not a lot to write so I'll keep it simple:
Miss Chloe Gong, what the actual fuck?
some quotes i loved:
“Lovers turned to strangers, and it cut deep enough to bleed.”
“And what was love if all it did was kill?”
“Let the men jump. Let them be afraid of how she moved, like a hurricane intent on destruction.”
“Eternally running around trying to save a city that does not want to be saved, that is hardly good enough to be saved.”
“Nothing in this world is complicated, only misunderstood.”
“In the end, this was all that they were. Two hearts pressed as close as they dared, shadows melding into one by the flickering candlelight.”
“Ordinary things happen to ordinary people, and ordinary people settle for something that satisfies them, never knowing if there would have been greater happiness in another life.”
“Pain at that age was an eternal thing, a feeling that might never fade. It would, of course. Pain always faded, even if it refused to fully disappear. But that was a lesson that could only come with time too.”
“It sounded like a plea. A plea to the heavens, to the stars, to the forces that drew their fates.”
“A rose is a rose, even by another name, but we choose whether we will offer beauty to the world, or if we will use our thorns to sting.”
“To have and to hold, where even death cannot part us. In this life and the next, for however long our souls remain, mine will always find yours. Those are my vows to you.”
“Who cared about values when the history books were being written? What did it matter if the history books rewrote everything in the end?”
i was listening to all to well (10 minute version) (taylor's version) (from the vault) while writing this review bc i enjoy pain
'kay, I'm out
Bye
I cried, I broke apart and pulled myself back together while reading this book, I do have a lot to say but not a lot to write so I'll keep it simple:
Miss Chloe Gong, what the actual fuck?
some quotes i loved:
“Lovers turned to strangers, and it cut deep enough to bleed.”
“And what was love if all it did was kill?”
“Let the men jump. Let them be afraid of how she moved, like a hurricane intent on destruction.”
“Eternally running around trying to save a city that does not want to be saved, that is hardly good enough to be saved.”
“Nothing in this world is complicated, only misunderstood.”
“In the end, this was all that they were. Two hearts pressed as close as they dared, shadows melding into one by the flickering candlelight.”
“Ordinary things happen to ordinary people, and ordinary people settle for something that satisfies them, never knowing if there would have been greater happiness in another life.”
“Pain at that age was an eternal thing, a feeling that might never fade. It would, of course. Pain always faded, even if it refused to fully disappear. But that was a lesson that could only come with time too.”
“It sounded like a plea. A plea to the heavens, to the stars, to the forces that drew their fates.”
“A rose is a rose, even by another name, but we choose whether we will offer beauty to the world, or if we will use our thorns to sting.”
“To have and to hold, where even death cannot part us. In this life and the next, for however long our souls remain, mine will always find yours. Those are my vows to you.”
“Who cared about values when the history books were being written? What did it matter if the history books rewrote everything in the end?”
i was listening to all to well (10 minute version) (taylor's version) (from the vault) while writing this review bc i enjoy pain
'kay, I'm out
Bye
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Blood
Moderate: Body horror, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I'll admit, it did take me a bit to get into this, but I think that was more of a mood reading problem than an actual book problem. Once I got into it, man. The connections to Romeo and Juliet, the pacing, the characters. Definitely doesn't suffer from second book syndrome. Stay tuned for a full review to come later this week!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Blood
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny, Self harm, and Death of parent
nicolibby's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Gun violence
Moderate: Gore and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Misogyny and Sexism
rachrreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and Netgalley for giving me an eARC copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Our Violent Ends was a masterpiece and Chloe Gong has proven herself to be a compelling storyteller. This thrilling and emotional conclusion to the These Violent Delights duology takes place in 1920s Shanghai, where Roma Montagov and Juliette Cai are enemies. Or at least, that’s what their families want them to believe. Roma and Juliette are on two opposing gangs in a blood feud that has lasted for decades, but no one even remembers why it started.
This beautiful twist on the story of Romeo & Juliet adds in other themes as well. Filled with historically accurate political concepts, Roma and Juliette must maneuver this political minefield while also stopping the monsters from attacking again. A new “larkspur” is in control of the monsters now that Paul is gone and both gangs are being threatened. Working together this time proves to be trouble, especially when Roma believes Juliette murdered one of his best friends. It had to be done to prevent her cousin, Tyler, from taking her place as the Scarlet Gang’s heir and killing Roma to do so. Juliette will do whatever is necessary to keep Roma alive, even if it means losing a relationship with him forever.
Wow. Just wow! I cannot believe Chloe Gong is the same age as me and has written one of my top 10 books I’ve read (counting series as one book)! Oftentimes I find retellings to be worn out, after all it’s the same story with different settings, but Chloe made this her own. This book is a beautiful homage to Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, while also being separate enough to leave me on my toes. I found myself thinking one thing would happen, only to be thoroughly surprised when it did not.
I cannot express my love for this book enough, and I will definitely be rereading this for years to come. Not once did I feel like the pacing dragged! The prose was beautifully done and even when something made me sad, I found myself saying “Yes, Chloe, yes!” I cannot wait to read her spin-off duology in 2022. I expect great things from Chloe Gong in the future and she is an automatic buy author for me.
Our Violent Ends was a masterpiece and Chloe Gong has proven herself to be a compelling storyteller. This thrilling and emotional conclusion to the These Violent Delights duology takes place in 1920s Shanghai, where Roma Montagov and Juliette Cai are enemies. Or at least, that’s what their families want them to believe. Roma and Juliette are on two opposing gangs in a blood feud that has lasted for decades, but no one even remembers why it started.
This beautiful twist on the story of Romeo & Juliet adds in other themes as well. Filled with historically accurate political concepts, Roma and Juliette must maneuver this political minefield while also stopping the monsters from attacking again. A new “larkspur” is in control of the monsters now that Paul is gone and both gangs are being threatened. Working together this time proves to be trouble, especially when Roma believes Juliette murdered one of his best friends. It had to be done to prevent her cousin, Tyler, from taking her place as the Scarlet Gang’s heir and killing Roma to do so. Juliette will do whatever is necessary to keep Roma alive, even if it means losing a relationship with him forever.
Wow. Just wow! I cannot believe Chloe Gong is the same age as me and has written one of my top 10 books I’ve read (counting series as one book)! Oftentimes I find retellings to be worn out, after all it’s the same story with different settings, but Chloe made this her own. This book is a beautiful homage to Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, while also being separate enough to leave me on my toes. I found myself thinking one thing would happen, only to be thoroughly surprised when it did not.
I cannot express my love for this book enough, and I will definitely be rereading this for years to come. Not once did I feel like the pacing dragged! The prose was beautifully done and even when something made me sad, I found myself saying “Yes, Chloe, yes!” I cannot wait to read her spin-off duology in 2022. I expect great things from Chloe Gong in the future and she is an automatic buy author for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Misogyny, Kidnapping, and Death of parent