These Violent Delights

THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS is an intriguing Romeo and Juliet retelling in 1920s Shanghai. The White Flowers and Scarlet Gang rule the city with battle lines drawn to separate their territories. Things are changing, with foreigners moving in and edging on their territories. The rising Communists are also coming into play and the gangs are on edge - even more so now that mysterious deaths are rising in both gangs with rumors of monsters and self-inflicted wounds. Juliette and Roma are the potential heirs to each gang, but with past romance and betrayal hanging over their heads, others are edging their ways in.

As the deaths are piling up on both sides, Roma and Juliette must decide whether they can put aside their differences to discern what is going on before the death toll rises too high.

The monsters and mysteries were fascinating, and it was interesting to follow it through to the end. The retelling of Shakespeare managed to feel similar to the original albeit with so many changes (perhaps the names helped with the connections). The political background was really intriguing with the rise of communism as well as the colonization of the city being represented on the backdrop of the rival gangs. I also appreciated the queer reps from the side characters with their own histories and romances presented in the story.

In places, it felt really hard to follow, remember all the characters and the plots that had occurred. The pacing was almost too fast in a way for me, as I did not get deep enough into the main characters to really connect and move through the story. In places, it was all dialogue with minimal explanation, and I personally needed a bit more. This was not a quick read for me as a result, as I kept having to go back and remember everyone, their connections, and what had happened before. Background is revealed slowly.

An intriguing plot and mystery make this retelling one for fans of fast-paced historical fantasy.

What I loved: I was drawn to this book's premise as it is based in the 1920s in a politically torn world of Shanghai and is also a retelling of Romeo and Juliet. The Scarlet Gang and The White Flowers fight for control of a small piece of the world in hopes of not being eradicated by communists in the process. The aspect of the waring houses being gangsters and unknown plague or monster terrorizing the city makes for a nail-biting story.

What Left Me Wanting More: I wanted to know more about both sides of the family side characters that play the main characters entourage. We get bits and pieces about how the cousins are not truly part of the family but are still in the inner circle. I also wanted to know more about where these insects came from, other than they are a hive mind that terrorizes the city. The descriptions of how these creatures threaten are fascinating and disgusting, and it is a wonder that they can keep anyone from dying once infected.

The Final Verdict: The research that the author put into this story makes it feel authentic. The addition of the monster, vaccines, and threats to families all make for a compelling Historical-Fantasy. The Communists, British, English, and other foreigners, along with the Scarlet and White Flowers, are constantly fighting to gain a piece of this city.

Eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai is the heir to the powerful Shanghai gang the Scarlets. Their rivals are the Russian White Flowers. Her former lover Roma Montagov is behind a brutal betrayal that killed many of the Scarlets. Because of this, Juliette is sent away to America. Now she's back and wants vengence for the deaths his gang caused.

The blood feud between these two gangs runs deep. Then a violent illness hits the city. A sickness that kills not only the Scarlets, but the White Flowers as well. When Roma's younger sister falls victim, he reaches out to Juliette for a truce. But the betrayal is one that Juliette can't forgive. Or can she for the sake of her people's survival? Because if they don't come together, there will be no-one left in the city for either gang to rule.

What worked: Wow. Just wow. This is a powerful historical where two former lovers must work together to save the city they love. There's violence, betrayals, and deception throughout this gripping story. I was totally riveted from the first page.

Juliette is strong and does what she needs to in order to show she is the rightful heir to the Scarlet gang. This means more than once she uses whatever methods she has in order to show her strength. She has to do this as her cousin Tyler feels he's the rightful heir.

Roma is the more sensitive one in this story. Yes, he uses violence, but isn't so quick to use it. His trusted friends Marshal and his cousin Benedikt help him and also stay close to his side when a violent illness strikes.

The whole concept of 'supernatural' insects causing murderous chaos is intense and chilling. This magical realistic twist and what's behind it kept me glued to the pages. More than a few times I screamed out when Juliette and Roma got closer to the final reveal. And it's a powerful one!

There's great pacing and vivid descriptions of 1920s Shanghai where foreigners try to overrun the city. The tensions between the people are realistically shown and set behind the racism and sexism that not only happened then, but is relevent for today. There's also mention of the Communists and how they reach out to the poor in the city.

I admit, I didn't know who might in fact be behind the illness. There's a few red herrings and final reveal caught me off guard. I love when that happens!

Romeo and Juliet battle a violent illness in 1920 Shanghai. This story is complete with twists and turns and where romance between two warring gangs is put to the ultimate test.