Reviews

Dochter van de Scharlaken Rozen by Chloe Gong

sadgirlautumn's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense 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

4.5

This book had a few slower moments but the build up to the end did not disappoint. There were so many twists that I simply had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. The characters and their relationships with each other were so good and they ended up being my favorite part of the book. I absolutely loved Chloe Gong's writing style and I can't wait to read more books by her starting with Our Violent Ends obviously. 

karamoore1702's review against another edition

So bored. I cannot get into this plot and did not really like any of the characters. 

heatherlynnorman's review against another edition

fast-paced

1.25

This is not a historical book. 
The retelling of Romeo and Juliet was alright. 

gclouser00's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

finnishelderberry's review against another edition

DNF 127. I can not get into this book, for the life of me. It is putting me into a slump so yeah... No. 100 pages in and no emotional attachment to the characters some of the characters aren't really introduced you are just expected to understand who they are in relation to the main character and that made it very confusing very quickly. After pushing though and reading immortal longings and hating it I don't think it's me I think it's the writing style. I just hate it.

kizik's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

chroniclesofabookmum's review against another edition

5.0

Thank you so much to Hodder for sending me an e-arc of These Violent Delights, I am so grateful for this opportunity.

I don't even know how to start this review. I finished reading These Violent Delights a couple of days ago and have spent every day since screaming about how much I loved it but when it comes to writing a review I am not sure the words I will write can possibly do my love for These Violent Delights justice. Can we first just address the fact that this book is Chloe Gong's DEBUT. Yes Debut. I honestly would not have thought this whilst reading it. Chloe, you have smashed it! This book is so so good guys, and definitely one to look out for. I was immediately drawn to this book when I realised it was a Romeo and Juliet retelling. I love a retelling at the best of times, however at the moment they are so common and I feel like I am reading the same retelling over and over again. NOT THIS ONE. These Violent Delights, for me, was such a unique retelling of a story that I haven't seen retold before. There were so many parts of this story where I could really see the links too Romeo and Juliet, the quotes, title, character names and the plot but Chloe Gong definitely does enough to make it so unique. I also did not expect the mystery element of the book to be such a large part of the plot, but I loved it! I found myself so invested in this element of the book so much!

I absolutely love the writing style that Chloe Gong adopts. From the very start, the style is so immersive and I could not put it down. I really felt like I was part of the story, I could imagine the surroundings and there were so many times that I just wanted to dive into the book and be part of the story. Apart from the monster. I'll stick to observing for those parts. I literally have 0 imagination, so when a book gives me the ability to visualise the world and the plot then I can categorically say that the author has an excellent writing style. It really does not happen often. Also, there is such a complex system in relation to politics and world-building, one that must have taken the author a long time to construct. This comes across so well in the writing, the complexity is mesmerising and I really loved it so much. I enjoyed reading the rivalry between the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers, I thought it was interesting to be told the back story as well as the current situation between the gangs. Team Scarlet!

My favourite part of this book was the characters, I honestly love them so much and they added to my enjoyment significantly. Let us start with Roma and Juliet. I love this relationship so so much. I enjoyed the way that Chloe teased the reader with the back story of Juliet, which I found to be so brutal. You do not find out the extent of their history until later on in the story. I feel like this really helped me to build a connection and relationship with them and become invested with their relationship. I found myself really routing for them and just genuinely wanting the best for them. Also, Kathleen needs a special mention. I love her so much. Skip to the next paragraph if you do not want mild spoilers.

Spoiler

Kathleen is trans, yes trans. How often do you see that in a book, especially in a book of this genre. She really warms my heart and is easily one of my favourite characters. I love the awareness that Kathleen's character portrays for the audience of this book. I feel like she is such a realistic character, the portrayal of her trying to come to terms with who she is, the body image issues that she has. Also, Marshall and Ben. You beauties. Say no more.

They are conveyed so well, I could talk about Kathleen all day. I mean I don't want to dwell on some of the other characters, but HOW CREEPY IS PAUL and HOW MUCH OF AN ARSE IS TYLER. That's it, I'm done, I don't want to give them anymore time in my review.

As I have already mentioned there are some very hard-hitting topics discussed within These Violent Delights. In my reviews I like to be able to make a potential reader aware of some elements that may well trigger them. So please be aware that there are also elements of bullying and racism within this book. It is by no means a large portion of this book but it is something to be aware of going in. Please know that Chloe Gong does all hard-hitting topics so much justice and is doing such a good job of raising awareness.

The ending of this book was cruel. How can it just end like that. I want more and I want more right now. At first I wondered how These Violent Delights could be turned into a series however I completely understand now and I AM HERE FOR THAT. But I don't want to wait so if I could have the next book now that would be fab. I honestly enjoyed this book so much and it really does deserve the 5 star rating I have given it. I have immediately preordered myself a physical copy and I am already really excited for it to arrive so I can reread it. These Violent Delights is definitely one to look out for. I cannot wait for it to be out into the wild so I can scream with everyone else about how amazing it is. PREORDER THIS BOOK GUYS IT IS SO GOOD!

isabellarneri's review against another edition

1.0

chato e extremamente desinteressante

andlovetoowillruinus's review against another edition

dnf at 52%. too much purple prose and historical revisionism. the writing is immature, but i would not expect any less from an author who takes personal offense to tweets suggesting that perhaps writers need some maturity and world experience in order to write good novels.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore

joseph_al's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5