Review: These Violent Delights

 

Back then, I hated this book for no reason. I mean, I did have good reason as to why I wouldn't touch this book. Because there was this one person and their group of fan wannabes that overhyped it so much, I didn't want to read it at all. I hate wannabes, and this one was basically like an overhyped cult leader that made me wanna dip out of chat every single time they appeared. And they ranted so much, I was inclined to hate the book.

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 eighteen-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.

QUICK THOUGHTS AND REVIEW: 4.3/5, GOT REALLY GOOD IN THOSE LAST 100 PAGES.

Possible Trigger Tags:

1. Death

2. Violence

3. Gore

4. Mentions of alcholism

5. Mentions of drug abuse.

WHAT DID I FbEEL ABOUT THE  BOOK'S: 

1. Writing Quality: The writing quality, while being certainly nice with amazing one liners from Juliette and awesome internal monologues, it does seem a bit over dramatic to me. From the beginning, it does seem like it's kind of a theatre script, but make it more dramatic. [And we all know how a theatre script can be]. It certainly has the quality to draw you in, but then it just gets a bit too descriptive for me? Or maybe because I was in the theatre that it felt a bit to descriptive for me. It just felt like, considering I'd learnt history for quite some time and have read a lot of books that span over the same period this book spans, it was kind of easy to imagine the environment without needing the description I guess.

I absolutely love the tension that exists throughout the book though. From the beginning to the end, there is this tension and a high level of adrenaline that you can feel happening throughout the book. That is a good thing.

2. Character Development: Well, this did give me a bit of a women from Jujutsu Kaisen vibes. Why? Because Jujutsu Kaisen women are badass and non sexualized. I'd say AOT too, but they made my genderfluid icon Hange  Zoe feminine in the anime. THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE YOU HEAR ME!? Isayama made Hange Zoe non binary and Mappa and Wit had to go just ruin that.

Anyways, enough about my rant about Hange because I will never stop if started.

Juliette Cai. Definition of "GASLIGHT. GATEKEEP. GIRLBOSS."  I'm gonna be really honest, I feel more gay for Juliette than I felt for Roma. Because I relate to her so much, I'm kind of confused whether I want to be Juliette or be with her. She's headstrong, yet hot headed, and yet she cares about those people who are close to her. She hates being weak and will not breakdown because she considers it to be a weakness and I sort of relate it to some level because I'm kind of like that. Sometimes, but eh, you guys get the idea. Kathleen and Rosalind too, they're also pretty badass characters. I know Rosalind has a separate story of hers now, and to be honest I want to see Kathleen get one because I feel like she has more story than is let on in the book.

Roma though. Only one word comes to mind. Mafia Himbo. Like seriously, immense himbo vibes from him, even though I'm pretty sure he isn't. He just radiates that sort of energy. Like a dumb hunk energy. Kind of makes me not like him I guess. I can't simply see him in that book boyfriend area. He just doesn't fit that category. Sorry Roma lovers.

Their dynamic: Roma and Juliette, well, I'm pretty sure one would understand that simmering sexual tension that the two of them and the slow burn was killing me. I love that they're the only couple I know that carries the lovers to enemies trope but seriously, MOVE QUICKLY. This ship tested my patience so damn much. This could be them but they playing.

And of course there's my babies Benedikt and Marshall, I love them so much even though they're not main characters. One can just simply see their simmering chemistry too. I really kind of feel sad for them. If they don't get their happy ending I'mma go feral. Like literally small gremlin feral. 

3. Couldn't put it down- Ness: I'd say a 8/10, while it definitely seems dramatic to me, the tension and adrenaline that lasts in the book is quite enough to keep me going.

4. Plot Twists: Okay, the plot twists ain't much, but they really good. Kind of? They weren't as jaw dropping as I thought they'd be which is a major disappointment considering that the book was doing so well. Except for the epilogue though, that was something. I would have sobbed if Benmars didn't get their required ending because they have such a good chemistry. Benedikt and Marshall gave me the book boyfriend vibes instead of Roma to be honest. It was just simply disappointing to have been able to guess the plot twists, the book was so unpredictable in the beginning and it just became predictable in the end.

5. Plot: LOVERS TO ENEMIES TROPE. I REPEAT, LOVERS TO ENEMIES TROPE. This book is by far the only book that has this trope and I am willing to use my non existent credit card for it. Like seriously, I didn't know I needed this trope but now that I know I do, I WANT MORE BOOKS THAT HAVE THIS TROPE PLEASE. Authors, please look at my review and my request of having more lovers to enemies books on the market. I will become their advocate for free in the book courts!!! No charge. But seriously though, jokes aside,  I was told that this was a Romeo and Juliet retelling. Now personally, I hate Romeo and Juliet, it was nothing more than 2 troublesome kids who had a 5 hour affair and resulted in 6 deaths. And personally, I've good reason to hate Romeo and Juliette retellings because they more or less follow the same troublesome story. I kid you not the relief that Roma and Juliette at least had some history together was immense. Plus the only thing that aligns with the original Shakespeare play is the feud between the two families. So glad this book didn't follow the play by heart.

OVERALL, A NICE READ, I'd read the second book too but I've no time lmao.

Take blep catto once again because I'm happy.