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meg_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? N/A
3.0
The angsty romance in this story was GOD TIER. Anytime our main characters were together prior to Roma learning the truth about Marshall was just so fucking good I'm obsessed. The plot itself of the story felt a little to jumbled and rushed, like there were too many moving parts that took away from the overall story. Also the way that this story so cleverly follows the Romeo and Juliet retelling without it being predictable was literally so well done. Overall, would definitely recommend this one (as long as you have a strong stomach and don't have a severe phobia of bugs).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
jayisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
4.25
This was a fun way to wrap up an overall great retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Our Violent Ends had as much of my attention as I was able to give between everything happening in my life as of late. Like These Violent Delights, I truly appreciated Gong’s spin on a classic love story and some of the creative liberties she took in the sequel. With that said, I think after reading this and having had time to mull over the first book, it’s safe to say that I was more invested in the characters than anything else. The plot of Our Violent Ends felt more scattered than its predecessor, had some loose ends, and it felt as though the book served more as a means to satisfy readers’ desires to see how things come together for the characters while the happenings of Shanghai were somewhat of an afterthought. Thankfully, the delightful thing is that Gong really knows how to breathe life into her characters in such a refreshing and exciting way.
From what I gathered, Gong seems to be working on another Shakespeare retelling, and I look forward to what she’ll come up with next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Mass/school shootings, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Racism, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
writingcaia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
Roma Montagov from the White Flowers Gang and Juliette Cai from the Scarlet Gang have been thorn apart by bloodshed in the past, but four years later, after being exiled in NY, Juliette is back to Shangai. And, just as things heat up in the blood feud and when a creepy monster that sheds hundreds of horrid lice-like ones to infect people into tearing their throats out prowls the streets of their town. It is this common threat to both their people that will have Juliette and Roma come together again, now with not but resentment in their hearts, or so it seems, but they’ll have to put their hatred aside and team up to take down their mutual threat. However, nothing is made easy for these two, love and hate runs close to the skin, the blood feud always in the path of their love, and the monster not as easy to deal with as they hoped especially when they have to run against time to save their loved ones.
This a slow to medium paced story, anchored both in the historical events of the 20/30’s in Shangai, revolution, communists, nationalists, foreign invaders, gangsters all making the streets of the town run red with the blood of the people, and it’s also a retelling of the famous Shakespearean love tragedy Romeu and Juliet.
I’ve to say it wasn’t the easiest book to dive into, thankfully there’re the Montagov and Marsh who were all so endearing and made me keep going, eventually I came into syntony with the story albeit dreading how close to the original it would stick to.
Soon it became a riveting read and continued until the end, with plenty of bloodshed, monsters, hate, betrayal, murder, and of course love to conquer all odds.
I can’t say how close it cut to the original tale without spoilers, I can only say there’re a few plot twists related and unrelated with the Shakespearean tragedy.
Overall a 4.5⭐️ duology and if you like YA retellings, with dark mystery, gangs, history and tragedy this is for you.
This a slow to medium paced story, anchored both in the historical events of the 20/30’s in Shangai, revolution, communists, nationalists, foreign invaders, gangsters all making the streets of the town run red with the blood of the people, and it’s also a retelling of the famous Shakespearean love tragedy Romeu and Juliet.
I’ve to say it wasn’t the easiest book to dive into, thankfully there’re the Montagov and Marsh who were all so endearing and made me keep going, eventually I came into syntony with the story albeit dreading how close to the original it would stick to.
Soon it became a riveting read and continued until the end, with plenty of bloodshed, monsters, hate, betrayal, murder, and of course love to conquer all odds.
I can’t say how close it cut to the original tale without spoilers, I can only say there’re a few plot twists related and unrelated with the Shakespearean tragedy.
Overall a 4.5⭐️ duology and if you like YA retellings, with dark mystery, gangs, history and tragedy this is for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Transphobia
katsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
"...for however long our souls remain, mine will always find yours.”
“What was love if all it did was kill?”
“Nothing in this world is complicated, only misunderstood.”
I think this second novel surpassed the first one in terms of enjoyment. The connections to Romeo & Juliet are a little more noticeable in this novel. By the time I got about half way through and fully realized the ending to R & J and had to finish to figure out how it turned out in the end. I really appreciated how Juliette had so much more agency than the Juliet of Shakespeare's play. She was a total badass that got to call so many of the shots. I loved that change from the original. I also adored Marshall and Benedikt's story. I loved how secondary characters like Marshall, Benedikt, Celia and Rosalind had side stories that were developed so much more from the first book. There were definitely points when I cared more about their stories than the main love story between Roma and Juliette. That being said, I still really loved the love story. I love the enemies-to-lovers trope so this definitely delivered in that regard. And finally, as a history teacher, I loved the connection to real life events that occurred during the Chinese Civil War. They even name-dropped Chiang Kai-Shek! The author made a point in her author's note to note the pieces that weren't quite historically accurate (other than the fantastical elements, of course.) The political intrigue felt quite realistic for that reason. I really enjoyed all of the different factions. It felt messy and complex but it rang true. Ultimately, I really enjoyed this duology and would definitely recommend. I can't wait to see what Chloe Gong comes out with next.
“What was love if all it did was kill?”
“Nothing in this world is complicated, only misunderstood.”
I think this second novel surpassed the first one in terms of enjoyment. The connections to Romeo & Juliet are a little more noticeable in this novel. By the time I got about half way through and fully realized the ending to R & J and had to finish to figure out how it turned out in the end. I really appreciated how Juliette had so much more agency than the Juliet of Shakespeare's play. She was a total badass that got to call so many of the shots. I loved that change from the original. I also adored Marshall and Benedikt's story. I loved how secondary characters like Marshall, Benedikt, Celia and Rosalind had side stories that were developed so much more from the first book. There were definitely points when I cared more about their stories than the main love story between Roma and Juliette. That being said, I still really loved the love story. I love the enemies-to-lovers trope so this definitely delivered in that regard. And finally, as a history teacher, I loved the connection to real life events that occurred during the Chinese Civil War. They even name-dropped Chiang Kai-Shek! The author made a point in her author's note to note the pieces that weren't quite historically accurate (other than the fantastical elements, of course.) The political intrigue felt quite realistic for that reason. I really enjoyed all of the different factions. It felt messy and complex but it rang true. Ultimately, I really enjoyed this duology and would definitely recommend. I can't wait to see what Chloe Gong comes out with next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, War, and Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, Grief, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
erinmichellemartin'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? Yes
4.0
SOOOOOOO GOOD. I cannot stress it enough.
Writing the second book in a duology is an enormous task and Chloe Gong nailed it. Our Violent Ends is written in just the right way that moves this book along while still tying in events from These Violent Delights.
Roma, baby, I love you.
Be ready to cry.
Writing the second book in a duology is an enormous task and Chloe Gong nailed it. Our Violent Ends is written in just the right way that moves this book along while still tying in events from These Violent Delights.
Roma, baby, I love you.
Be ready to cry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, and Murder
ncoletti's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Police brutality
padme's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
Wow, what a sequel!!
Once again, I was planning on giving this four stars just because there were a few elements I didn't likeI didn't like Rosalind's storyline, especially since it was held back for so long as a dramatic reveal so we didn't get a lot of insight into how involved she was and why she did what she did. I also thought Dimitri was a pretty weak villain, and we didn't get much insight into why he was doing what he was doing, other than that he was a bad guy. I felt like the book was weakened somewhat by trying to paint Rosalind as a villain of some kind while also removing her agency in the situation, implying that it was all because of Dimitri that she did what she did. I think the book MIGHT have been better served giving Dimitri a POV and giving Rosalind some more focus up front, and then painting their story as a parallel to Roma and Juliette's. It would have eliminated some big reveals later on, but it would have made the first half of the book more investing and would have given the two villains more motivation later on .
However, I have to give this a 4.5 stars just because of how well the ending played. Chloe Gong knows how to stick a landing! The epilogue genuinely made me cry, and I wasn't expecting it to.
Overall, it was a really incredible read, and I can't wait to see what Chloe Gong writes next! Such an interesting world, so many cool characters, and such a great way to adapt an old story.
Once again, I was planning on giving this four stars just because there were a few elements I didn't like
However, I have to give this a 4.5 stars just because of how well the ending played. Chloe Gong knows how to stick a landing! The epilogue genuinely made me cry, and I wasn't expecting it to.
Overall, it was a really incredible read, and I can't wait to see what Chloe Gong writes next! Such an interesting world, so many cool characters, and such a great way to adapt an old story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicide, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror, Blood, and Colonisation
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
perseffable's review against another edition
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
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