Review Detail

OUR VIOLENT ENDS is an intriguing sequel to the YA historical fantasy retelling of Romeo & Juliet. In this world of 1920s Shanghai, Roma and Juliette are the presumed heirs to rival gangs, the White Flowers and Scarlet Gang. After the final betrayal in the first book and accepting that pushing Roma away is the best way to keep them all safe, Juliette is still reeling by the feelings that remain while also working to cement her role as heir - one that her cousin is eager to take from her.

After the first story, the monstrous danger seemed to be gone, but Juliette knows that it could be looming still. The monster that is gone was not the only one - an assurance continued by the blackmail demands made to the gangs. As she hunts for the person behind it, struggles to maintain control of the gang, and deals with the fallout from the first book, Shanghai's political landscape continues to change, and the world as they knew it is brewing.

What I loved: This book continues to move quickly and imaginatively with the right amount of background provided throughout. Reading the first book before this one provides the context and characterization to launch right into this sequel. Roma and Juliette are both struggling with their own feelings and the demands placed upon them, and their growth throughout the story continues to shape them into the adults they will be. The mystery of the new blackmailer and the threat of the monsters keeps the readers on their toes with a frightening threat.

The themes remain really intriguing with political turmoil around the communists/nationalists, gang loyalty, colonization, romance, and the power of fear. The picture of Shanghai in the 1920s is really compelling with the fantasy slant that still manages to impart the challenges and landscape of the era. I also appreciate the inclusion of LGBTQ romances among the secondary characters, which provide some great rep.

Final verdict: An intriguing sequel to a YA historical fantasy, OUR VIOLENT ENDS extends the original story with thought-provoking themes and further character and world development that will captivate readers.