These Violent Delights

These Violent Delights Series, Book 1

By: Chloe Gong

Narrated by: Cindy Kay

Length: 14 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 18-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.

©2020 Chloe Gong (P)2021 Tantor

These Violent Delights

I loved how descriptive the author is, and that’s why I’m so disappointed I didn’t like this book as much I wanted to like it!! I kept waiting for it to capture my attention and immerse myself in it but it never did. I was expecting so much more, I mean a Romeo and Juliet retelling!! Sadly the romance wasn’t nowhere near as dominant in the book, there was romance but I just didn’t feel it. I think my main problem with the book is that I never really connected with Roma and Juliette therefore the story never clicked for me.

Not what I expected

I never expected this and I couldn’t be happier. I usually hate retelling or reimaginings but it’s was really damn good

well written and excellent storytelling

surprisingly liked this more than I thought I would. the beginning was a little slower than I normally like but so glad I got past the little slump. ending is a cliffhanger and can't wait to find out what happens next. the retelling of Romeo and Juliette was witty and sometimes suttle if you don't know the original but I really liked them. the ending thought is what really made this 5 instead of 4 stars.

Unlikeable Characters

The writing and descriptions are absolutely beautiful and the narrator did a great job, but the main characters are so unlikeable. Juliet is supposed to be this femme fatale heiress, but she comes off a headstrong, whiney brat most of the time. She is so unconsiderate to the people around her. Roma, the star-crossed love of her life, has the personality of a rock. I really can't imagine how he managed to woo her in the first place. The only characters I was remotely interested in was a couple of side characters.

A little predictable, but still a fun read

I am not a huge fan of retellings because I don't like to know how it ends, that being said this story had its own little twists that made it a fun read. I love the setting and time period the evil antagonist gave me Spiderman villain vibes haha.

Narrator was good, I could see what people meant when they said she had a similar voice for a lot of the males, but it did not confuse or detract from the story.

Loved the story. Decent narration

I really loved this story and absolutely cannot wait for Our Violent Delights!

The narrarator however, in my opinion, was good but not great. Almost all male characters sounded the same and like they were whispering/growling, even if they were supposed to be shouting "run!". It seemed odd that only some characters were given accents, and I wished that the Montegov family was given Russian accents the way some of the Cai family had Chinese accents, and that the British merchants/characters were given such accents as well. There became a point where I wasn't entirely sure who was talking or what character was who because of the lack of distinguishing voices, particularly for the men. It didn't take away too much from the story, but it certainly didn't help when there were section of a lot of men talking