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ameydireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Deadnaming, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Stalking, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Drug use, Transphobia, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
Beware of a detailed description of insects attacking humans!axahean's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Animal death and Terminal illness
gamora_zen1's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Violence, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
angstifies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Transphobia
epellicci's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
At first I wasn't sure I was going to get along with the writing style, but once the story picked up it fell into place and I enjoyed the changes in narration much more.
Gong seeps the book in emotional, political, and physical conflict. I was impressed by the balance she has created between the three, as well as her ability to write characters grown up enough to be deeply involved in the turmoil, but also young enough to relate to the YA audience without it feeling jarring and inauthentic.
I'm looking forward to seeing were the story goes next, and impatiently await the sequel.
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Death and Medical content
Minor: Alcoholism
ecobookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Transphobia and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
If you're creeped out by bugs, definitely do not read this book!!!baexlee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Despite the fact that both characters have plenty of blood on their hands and find plenty more before the end of the story, it was not hard to root for either Juliette or Roma as they try to protect their people, even when their means were more... questionable. I didn't find that I was distracted by the moments where the story was making references more directly to the Romeo & Juliet inspiration, which was appreciated because I either find that it is distracting or nonexistent in other works, but I felt Gong found a nice balance here.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, and Gore
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, Xenophobia, and Stalking
rachrreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Soon after, a monster is on the loose wreaking havoc among the city. People are falling dead in droves and the contagion is spreading like wildfire. Juliette realizes that to put an end to this, the Scarlets and White Flowers must pool together. Otherwise, the gangs will die out and the Communists and foreigners will take over.
I picked up this book not really knowing much about it. I had read the synopsis in the past, but never thought much about it. I even had to ask a friend “wait, is this a Romeo and Juliet retelling?” while reading the first few chapters. LOL. I’m glad I went into it with no knowledge or expectations, because otherwise I likely would’ve put it off longer.
This book was a MASTERPIECE. Chloe Gong, thank you for this wonderful, painful, masterly crafted book. I cannot wait for book 2. The romance between Roma and Juliette was absolutely squeal worthy. I found myself screaming so many times over their interactions.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism
introvertinterrupted's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Deadnaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Stalking
m_________'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There was a fairly large cast of main characters/significant side characters, so I was a bit worried that some of them would fall a bit flat, especially since this is the first book in the duo-logy so there is less opportunity to develop them. This is not at all the case! All of the characters are very vibrant and well-crafted: I especially loved Juliette, Roma, Kathleen, Benedikt, and Alisa. This will be a repeated theme throughout the review, but I adored how Gong used the source material of Romeo and Juliet as a starting point, but was unafraid to further expand and even alter elements in order to better service her story. Overall, this made the book super fun to pick apart and examine which elements were directly retold, which were expanded, and which were completely new. I definitely felt as though the characters here were even stronger versions of their Shakespearian selves: her Juliette is markedly confident and convicted, whereas Roma is more subtle and rational (also less annoying). As well, the additional characters not in Romeo and Juliet , especially Kathleen and Alisa, were wonderful .
I do love the enemies to lovers trope, but I am pretty picky about it - it has to be done right for me to enjoy it. A lot of the time, especially in more recent YA books, I think this trope is thrown in just for marketing and is resolved in an underwhelming and unsatisfying way. Thus, I was also a but nervous about that when I picked up the book. Again, Gong delivers in this regard. The main characters hate each other, but also love each other so much , and the reasons for this are convincing. Their antagonism doesn't ever immediately disappear and
Also, I love the couples so much.
I think my one minor issue with the characters is in the shifting point of views of the novel. I would say that the novel is principally narrated by Juliette, and it shows in her narratorial voice. Namely, I found the sections from her PoV had a very vibrant voice, which was clearly Juliette's, but the other characters' perspectives and voices in narration were a bit less distinctive. Sometimes, it made it seem as though the other characters' PoVs were more in place to fulfill a technical role of filling in the reader on events that Juliette realistically couldn't detail.
Plot, World-building, etc.
Gong’s world building was absolutely fantastic and her writing skills really shines through in the novel - especially in the “zoom out” scenes from the perspective of Shanghai. These scenes in particular had such elegant prose and I loved the imagery and literary devices which she employed! I also like how her writing incorporates humour within the prose - it is at times sarcastic and sardonic, which I found enjoyable and entertaining.
Overall, the pacing was super consistent and solid, especially for a first published book. There were a few chapters, that certainly moved at a slower pace, but I think virtually all books fall into that category. The world-building was fantastic, but it never occurred at the expense of the plot, which moved forward in an exciting, fast-paced manner. There were shocks and surprises from middle to end! I remember being about half-way through the book and being curious about how Gong would continue to increase tension as the ending neared, since it was already so climactic (needless to say, she again delivered). The plot with the monster and the madness was very disgusting and very well done. It was a great and unexpected way to incorporate a fantastical element to the book. I also love books which draw on historical events, whether directly (ie they are historical fiction to some extend) or as an inspiration for the history/current events of their fantastical world (ie The Poppy War ). Gong's discussion of the horrors of colonialism and the tension leading up to the Chinese Civil War was so well-crafted and nuanced - definitely an important read in that regard!
Our Violent Ends And Overall Thoughts
I am so excited for Book 2 (obviously)! The book ended on such a cliffhanger, and apparently the second one has a small time skip so I am dying to know what happens next - I don’t know how I will manage waiting until November to read it. I’m excited to see the political plot evolve and for the stakes to rise even higher! And for the yearning and angst
My brain: You know what happens in the original play Romeo and Juliet - everyone dies - so you should really be anticipating that for Our Violent Ends . It will cause it to hurt less when there is no one left alive at the end.
Also my brain: Roma/Juliette/Marshall/Benedikt/Kathleen/Rosalind/Alisa happy ending when ?????
It would be even worse if only one of the Roma and Juliette dies, though. And one of them is left to try and repair what has happens. nope nope nope NOPE NOPE please Chloe I am begging
Anyways , this book is clearly awesome and you should absolutely pick it up! It's not everyday you find such a unique and well-written YA fantasy novel, and Gong's work is really something special. Can't wait for Book 2, as well as whatever writing she has planned for the future!
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Medical content
Minor: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Stalking