Our Violent Ends

Our Violent Ends

  • Downloads:7316
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2021-09-28 07:19:09
  • Update Date:2025-09-07
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Chloe Gong
  • ISBN:1534457720
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

Shanghai is under siege in this captivating and searingly romantic sequel to These Violent Delights, which New York Times bestselling author Natasha Ngan calls “deliciously dark。”

The year is 1927, and Shanghai teeters on the edge of revolution。

After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from the blood feud, Juliette has been a girl on a mission。 One wrong move, and her cousin will step in to usurp her place as the Scarlet Gang’s heir。 The only way to save the boy she loves from the wrath of the Scarlets is to have him want her dead for murdering his best friend in cold blood。 If Juliette were actually guilty of the crime Roma believes she committed, his rejection might sting less。

Roma is still reeling from Marshall’s death, and his cousin Benedikt will barely speak to him。 Roma knows it’s his fault for letting the ruthless Juliette back into his life, and he’s determined to set things right—even if that means killing the girl he hates and loves with equal measure。

Then a new monstrous danger emerges in the city, and though secrets keep them apart, Juliette must secure Roma’s cooperation if they are to end this threat once and for all。 Shanghai is already at a boiling point: The Nationalists are marching in, whispers of civil war brew louder every day, and gangster rule faces complete annihilation。 Roma and Juliette must put aside their differences to combat monsters and politics, but they aren’t prepared for the biggest threat of all: protecting their hearts from each other。

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Reviews

Bee Loves To Read

Review to come

tiffany

Nothing but pain rnThis is a retelling of a tragedy wtf did I expect god

Ashling

Thank you, Netgalley and publisher, for the arc in exchange for an honest review。I wanted to love this one; however, I could not get into it; To me, the story felt very much the same apart from a few minor changes。 Overall I felt underwhelmed and a little bored whilst reading。 The characters felt the same, and the politics felt a little slow and tedious。

lexi ☾

Thank you to Simon Teen for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review。 All opinions are my own。 Overall Rating: 5 starstThis was seriously one of the most stressful books I’ve ever read, but I loved every second of it。 These Violent Delights was one of my favourite reads of this year so far and ever since I finished it I’ve been itching to read the sequel。 While I did love These Violent Delights, I found myself way more invested in this book。 It took me a little bit to get adjusted to t Thank you to Simon Teen for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review。 All opinions are my own。 Overall Rating: 5 starstThis was seriously one of the most stressful books I’ve ever read, but I loved every second of it。 These Violent Delights was one of my favourite reads of this year so far and ever since I finished it I’ve been itching to read the sequel。 While I did love These Violent Delights, I found myself way more invested in this book。 It took me a little bit to get adjusted to the world in the first one, but with Our Violent Ends, I was addicted right away。 tI’m so obsessed with the way that Chloe Gong took the themes, plots, and characters from Romeo and Juliet and shaped them into her own。 Every single character in this was so well thought out。 Juliette is literally the coolest person ever。 I became so much more attached to the characters in this and it definitely hurt。 And oh my god don’t even get to start on Roma and Juliette’s relationship。 “Enemies to lovers” is certainly one of the most popular tropes in Young Adult literature at the moment but I have a hard time finding books in which it’s actually done well and here, it’s done perfectly。 The chemistry and tension between Roma and Juliette are off the charts。 The scenes between the two of them in this were literally everything。 We were given the content we deserved! Romajuliette fans you will not be disappointed, I promise。 tAside from the characters, the stakes in this were incredibly high, my heart was racing so fast while reading。 I may have even audibly gasped a few times。 The plot and writing grab you in and don’t let you go。 As for the ending, I swear Chloe Gong took my heart out and stomped on it。 I cried for way longer than I should have afterward。 It’s going to take me a while to fully process it, I’m never going to get over it。 This was everything I wanted it to be and more for the conclusion of one of my new favourites series。 It had me going through almost every emotion out there, I swear。 And again, these characters literally have me in a chokehold I love them so much。 It was everything I wanted it to be and more for the conclusion of one of my new favourites series。 Please go get yourself a copy in November, you won’t regret it。 。。。more

Nichole Banjany

So I will preface this and say that I was approved for this ARC before I even read These Violent Delights, but I bumped them both to the top of my TBR once I was approved。 I read These Violent Delights, and honestly it wasn’t my cup of tea, so I rated it a 3/5。 But I lost all motivation to read the sequel, Our Violent Ends。 It just doesn’t seem like something I will enjoy, and I’d hate to rate it badly because of that。 I think Chloe Gong’s writing quality is phenomenal and poetic, and the plot s So I will preface this and say that I was approved for this ARC before I even read These Violent Delights, but I bumped them both to the top of my TBR once I was approved。 I read These Violent Delights, and honestly it wasn’t my cup of tea, so I rated it a 3/5。 But I lost all motivation to read the sequel, Our Violent Ends。 It just doesn’t seem like something I will enjoy, and I’d hate to rate it badly because of that。 I think Chloe Gong’s writing quality is phenomenal and poetic, and the plot seemed interesting, I just… personally could not get into it。 I will still buy the second book and give it another shot eventually。 I got about 10% of the way through and had to stop, so my rating reflects her quality of writing! 。。。more

Thescorpion。bibliophile

Oh my god。。。 oh my god 🤯🤯Everyone stop doing what you're doing!!I just got approved for this book 😍😭AdfghklllLet me cry in peace。 BRB 🥺 Oh my god。。。 oh my god 🤯🤯Everyone stop doing what you're doing!!I just got approved for this book 😍😭AdfghklllLet me cry in peace。 BRB 🥺 。。。more

livvy

i literally have no words。 five stars don’t do this book justice because there’s so so much to it, to this ending。 let me start by saying, if you loved these violent delights, this book is even better。 all of the characters are explored, and the story, even finished, has me in awe。 i didn’t even know what to feel at some times。 i’m never going to recover from this book (thank you chloe gong)。 suffice to say it was also such an incredible and devastating and heartbreaking and emotional ride。 wow。

Lizzie

Thank you to Netgalley for a E-Arc in exchange for an honest review。Let me just start and say that this duology is one of the best Shakespeare retellings I have ever had the pleasure of reading。 Chloe Gong is incredibly skilled at just slipping in references and character arcs that are just stunning and only just recognisable to the point where she is truly making this recognisable story and making it her own。My favourite characters in this one again are undoubtedly Marshall and Ben! Charming an Thank you to Netgalley for a E-Arc in exchange for an honest review。Let me just start and say that this duology is one of the best Shakespeare retellings I have ever had the pleasure of reading。 Chloe Gong is incredibly skilled at just slipping in references and character arcs that are just stunning and only just recognisable to the point where she is truly making this recognisable story and making it her own。My favourite characters in this one again are undoubtedly Marshall and Ben! Charming and funny but also highlights the inner workings of gangster life。 I enjoyed the political intrigue in this book as this is set in a very real time in history where thousands of people were massacred for the Nationalists to take control of Shanghai and reading this from the many points of view of the gangsters was seriously intriguing and I just LOVED it。 It only didn't get a full 5 star review because in general I don't need to read the romance, I know it's a Romeo and Juliet retelling and that's the point but for me it wasn't the main focus point for me。 Otherwise, this book is perfect。 That ending is powerful man and I just think Chloe Gong is a masterful writer and I can't wait to read whatever she writes next! 。。。more

Natasha

Our Violent Ends is the gloriously decadent follow up to Chloe Gong’s spectacular (and bestselling) Romeo and Juliet reimagining, These Violent Delights— Which is even more thrillingly heart-stopping and unputdownable than the first! “These violent delights have violent ends…you have always known this” It’s 1927 and Shanghai teeters on the edge of revolution。 After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from their families’ blood feud, Juliette has been on the warpath。 One wrong m Our Violent Ends is the gloriously decadent follow up to Chloe Gong’s spectacular (and bestselling) Romeo and Juliet reimagining, These Violent Delights— Which is even more thrillingly heart-stopping and unputdownable than the first! “These violent delights have violent ends…you have always known this” It’s 1927 and Shanghai teeters on the edge of revolution。 After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from their families’ blood feud, Juliette has been on the warpath。 One wrong move and her cousin will gladly usurp her。 The only way to save the boy she loves from the wrath of her family is to have him hate her for murdering his best friend—if she were actually guilty maybe it’d sting less。 Still reeling from the death of his best friend and with his cousin barely speaking to him, he knows it’s his fault for letting Juliette back into his life。 But he’s determined to make things right, even if it means killing the first girl he’s ever loved。 When a new monstrous danger emerges in the city (as well as whispers of civil war and the annihilation of the city’s gangster rule), Juliette and Roma are forced together to once again end the threat —but neither are prepared for the biggest threat of all: protecting their hearts from each other…This was absolutely incredible! The setting was still phenomenally detailed and just as decadent and gritty as These Violent Delights but, the pacing was definitely faster (as was the tension-filled, action packed plot) and I absolutely LOVED it! Everything was bigger—the stakes much higher and it was a rollercoaster of emotions the entire way, honestly I couldn’t put it down。 Roma and Juliette were exquisitely written though, more complex than the first book。 The level of detail in the emotions and motivations of not just them but, several characters (Rosalind and Benedikt in particular) really brought them to life and gave realism to the narrative/plot。 This may just have surpassed the Bard’s as my favourite depiction of Romeo and Juliet—EVER! Overall, Our Violent Ends was heart-stoppingly explosive, bittersweet and utterly unmissable。 I urge all YA historical fantasy lovers and Shakespearean aficionados to give this series a read, you won’t be disappointed! Also thanks to Hodder&Stoughton and NetGalley for the e-arc。 。。。more

Salma

oh。

E-Lynn Kok

"These violent delights have violent ends" is how I would describe this sequel。Let me tell you, reading this book was stressful! I am a Chinese Malaysian。 I watched China drama series that tells the story of the China Revolution through the decades, yes, I'm talking about the ones that take you through year by year from the POV of a merchant, general, soldier, housewife, farmer, ordinary everyday folk。 I felt like I was reading a parallel universe of the China Revolution, one that involves a mon "These violent delights have violent ends" is how I would describe this sequel。Let me tell you, reading this book was stressful! I am a Chinese Malaysian。 I watched China drama series that tells the story of the China Revolution through the decades, yes, I'm talking about the ones that take you through year by year from the POV of a merchant, general, soldier, housewife, farmer, ordinary everyday folk。 I felt like I was reading a parallel universe of the China Revolution, one that involves a monster and a Shakespeare retelling。 My NetGalley request was approved by the publisher - Hodder & Stoughton! Thank you for seeing to my NEEDS! Proud Chinese right here! I am so grateful for the representation and all the Chinese words in it, it feels like an alternative universe to call home。 The drama, the politics, the intense plot, ROMA and JULIETTE, it was all *chef kiss*'What are you afraid of' Roma Montagov asked。Juliette lips parted。 She exhaled a short, abrupt breath。 'The consequences,' she whispered, 'of love in a city ruled by hate。' AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!Cough, sorry。 Since we got the backstory of our protagonist lovers, the second book is even more enjoyable because you already know them。 You are able to truly get inside their head and feel their PaIn。 And I truly did feel it。 Tears flowed。 I was rooting for them the whole fking time! My OTP! I don't want a man if he isn't gonna banter with me using razor-sharp big brain words and daggers like Roma and Juliette。 The Angst in this!! Holy, if you think the first book was fire, this is lava。 I really do love a good angst, I-love-you-so-much-that-I-hate-you couple。 It kinda made me have a flashback moment of feels about my ex。 *barfs* There are so many favourite scenes and quotes。 You can really see Chole's confidence in her writing with her second book。 The characters took a shape of their own and they basically wrote themselves into the dialogues。 I can never trust anyone but Chloe Gong now to write a savage-found-family-against-all-odds-yet-I-still-hate-you book。 Let's not talk about the ending of the book here, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS if my mouth opens。 All I can say is。。。 Shakespeare is immortal。I can't wait for November to come, I am a book tabber so I'm gonna be tabbing every 10 pages。 Watch me do endless cosplays in my qipao and pretend I'm a Scarlet。 Spiritually, I am one :) BBR, too busy recommending this book to EVERYONE。 Congrats on your success Chole, keep writing out there so we can keep fighting for you! 谢谢你,我爱你💕我为你为荣! 恭喜你!! 加油喔! 。。。more

D Amora

Thank you NetGalley for sending this arc for an honest review! I honestly feel like the dumbest human in the world。 Me thinking this was book 1。 I read it and was so lost BUT THEN I FREAKN LOVED IT WITHOUT MAKING SENSE OF IT ALL I KNEW WAS I WAS OBSESSED WITH ROMA AND JULIETTE AND NOW ITS TIME FOR ME TO READ BOOK 1。 This book is a Romero Juliette retelling, with diversity, and Asian rep。 It was absolutely breathtaking。

Rachael | Booklist Queen

In the sequel to These Violent Delights, Shanghai is on the brink of revolution。 To prevent her cousin from usurping her position, Juliette knows the best way to protect Roma is to make him hate her。 Thinking that Juliette murdered his cousin, Roma is on the warpath as a new monstrous danger emerges in the city just as the conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists comes to a head。In the sequel, Gong steps back from the monster aspect of the first story to almost exclusively focus on t In the sequel to These Violent Delights, Shanghai is on the brink of revolution。 To prevent her cousin from usurping her position, Juliette knows the best way to protect Roma is to make him hate her。 Thinking that Juliette murdered his cousin, Roma is on the warpath as a new monstrous danger emerges in the city just as the conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists comes to a head。In the sequel, Gong steps back from the monster aspect of the first story to almost exclusively focus on the will-or-won't-they aspect of Roma and Juliette。 Then once the two inevitably get together, the plot rushes through the ending, attempting to tie up all loose ends。 In all, Our Violent Ends was your typical YA sequel, delivering more of the same story which will keep fans happy but failing to add any more depth to the narrative。I received a complimentary copy of this book from Simon & Schuster through NetGalley。 Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own。 。。。more

Sophie

i will update with my thought but for now just know i’m sobbing over this book**LISTEN I gave myself the time to process this and I still haven't managed to do so。 This book left me heartbroken HOWEVER I will say that Chloe Gong's writing has improved a lot since the first book (which was still amazing even then!) and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future。 i will update with my thought but for now just know i’m sobbing over this book**LISTEN I gave myself the time to process this and I still haven't managed to do so。 This book left me heartbroken HOWEVER I will say that Chloe Gong's writing has improved a lot since the first book (which was still amazing even then!) and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future。 。。。more

Jen

Great writing, great storytelling, and a unique take on a classic。 After the way book one ended, I was eager to jump back into Roma and Juliette's story and find out how it all ends。 The middle seemed to drag on for awhile but the last 1/4 of the book had me on the edge of my seat。 One of the things I loath about The Bard's story is the miscommunication between R&J that ends in a completely avoidable disaster。 I enjoyed the way Gong took that element and weaved it into something far more believa Great writing, great storytelling, and a unique take on a classic。 After the way book one ended, I was eager to jump back into Roma and Juliette's story and find out how it all ends。 The middle seemed to drag on for awhile but the last 1/4 of the book had me on the edge of my seat。 One of the things I loath about The Bard's story is the miscommunication between R&J that ends in a completely avoidable disaster。 I enjoyed the way Gong took that element and weaved it into something far more believable, and this ending, though bittersweet, was fantastic。 Roma&Juliette4EverI'm looking forward to reading what Chloe Gong writes next! 。。。more

Mel (CrazyforBooksandCoffee)

Oh my gosh this book broke me ! The emotional roller coaster picked me up and knocked me down again and again。 Loved it。 Highly recommended。

feigning folklore

someone said the word "mourning" in a review and now i want to die right along with those characters who chloe mercilessly killed。 future me, please tell me that this there is no mourning involved。 someone said the word "mourning" in a review and now i want to die right along with those characters who chloe mercilessly killed。 future me, please tell me that this there is no mourning involved。 。。。more

readwithNikki

Thank you to netgalley and chloe gong for allowing me to read this book early it was a dream and honour A sequel just as good if not better then the first。 Waw this was absolutely amazing full of everything I was looking for, violence and romance and plot twists 。I am in awe of chloe's writing I cannot wait for everyone else to read this Thank you to netgalley and chloe gong for allowing me to read this book early it was a dream and honour A sequel just as good if not better then the first。 Waw this was absolutely amazing full of everything I was looking for, violence and romance and plot twists 。I am in awe of chloe's writing I cannot wait for everyone else to read this 。。。more

Abbey Schuetze

Overall I really liked this duology, but Our Violent Ends feels like it runs around in circles, and doesn't have much upward growth。 The ending was fantastic and heart wrenching, and I did have to keep reminding myself that I was reading a Romeo and Juliet retelling。 Just plunge a dagger into my own heart already。What really made this book standout was the historical basis, I feel like the world Chloe Gong created on the page so expertly captured the time period and the combination of a Civil Wa Overall I really liked this duology, but Our Violent Ends feels like it runs around in circles, and doesn't have much upward growth。 The ending was fantastic and heart wrenching, and I did have to keep reminding myself that I was reading a Romeo and Juliet retelling。 Just plunge a dagger into my own heart already。What really made this book standout was the historical basis, I feel like the world Chloe Gong created on the page so expertly captured the time period and the combination of a Civil War and Cold War。 The desire to preserve life mixed with a never ending blood feud, set during a deadly pandemic, felt very timely in our political sphere and overall societal adjustments we've made over the last few years。 The unity required in the face of mortal peril is not one that can be felt often, but we've been feeling it every day for the past two years。Our Violent Ends is a love letter to 1920s Shanghai, young love, and the days we find ourselves living in。 。。。more

Indy

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。Earlier this year I read These Violent Delights, the first book in this duology。 It was a great book that left me begging in the end for me; if you read the These Violent Delights I assume you must have felt the same。 However, the beginning was very slow and it took me three weeks to get through the first 200 pages。 I was expecting the same effect for this book。I misjudged。 Not only did I finish the book in give or take 24 hours I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。Earlier this year I read These Violent Delights, the first book in this duology。 It was a great book that left me begging in the end for me; if you read the These Violent Delights I assume you must have felt the same。 However, the beginning was very slow and it took me three weeks to get through the first 200 pages。 I was expecting the same effect for this book。I misjudged。 Not only did I finish the book in give or take 24 hours, it was one of the best books I've ever read。 Each chapter contained a part that left me wanting to read more。 Wheter it was focused on Roma or Juliette or one of the "side" characters like Benedikt, Marshall, Kathleen, etc。 It was a book not only filled with astonishing and breathtaking writing but also a love story that brought me to my knees。The storyline was enthralling and while I lacked some love for the main couple in the first book, they took my breath away in Our Violent Ends。 It is a well deserved five stars from me and I am looking forward to what else Chloe Gong will bring to the table in the future。 。。。more

jo

that took me a while to finish but holy shit, it was absolutely mind blowing。

liz

I received an eARC of this book from Hodder & Stoughton through NetGalley。 Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own。5 starsAfter the masterpiece that was These Violent Delights I had high expectations for Our Violent Ends, and Chloe Gong met every single one of them。 The cliffhanger ending of These Violent Delights makes you dive right in Our Violent Ends with no time to catch your breath。 The monster is back, Juliette and Roma are enemies again, Shanghai is on the brink of a revo I received an eARC of this book from Hodder & Stoughton through NetGalley。 Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own。5 starsAfter the masterpiece that was These Violent Delights I had high expectations for Our Violent Ends, and Chloe Gong met every single one of them。 The cliffhanger ending of These Violent Delights makes you dive right in Our Violent Ends with no time to catch your breath。 The monster is back, Juliette and Roma are enemies again, Shanghai is on the brink of a revolution, there are so many things happening at once and everything is so well orchestrated。 This book is so full of angst and stress and hurt (with a side of comfort, but mostly hurt)。 Gong manages to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last chapter。 All the while using all the best tropes。 Gong takes the enemies to lovers trope to the next level, sprinkling new and lovely 'dagger to the throat' and 'are they gonna kiss each other or kill each other' moments that we all loved so much in the first book。The relationship between Roma and Juliette is even more complex than in the first book, in all the best and worst ways。 These people drove me absolutely mad with all the angst and repressed feelings。And I loved getting to see more of the secondary characters。 Just like in the first book Kathleen and Marshall own my heart, and it was so great to see them being even more developed in this second book。Our Violent Ends really was a wonderful ending to this duology, so well crafted and beautifully written。 I really can't believe this is Chloe Gong's first duology。 These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends are such wonderful books, and to think they're only her first books is mindblowing。 It makes me even more excited to discover all her next books。 。。。more

Alicja

THIS BOOK HAS BROKEN ME。 Big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC。I still don’t know how to properly review this book。 ‘Our Violent Ends’ was an absolutely brilliant conclusion to Chloe Gong’s duology, but it has also broken me, and I can’t stop think about this book even if it’s been days since I finished it。 I feel so lucky that I got to read it earlier, but I will be definitely re-reading this duology。‘Our Violent Ends’ was an emotional rollercoaster。 There’s been so much happe THIS BOOK HAS BROKEN ME。 Big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC。I still don’t know how to properly review this book。 ‘Our Violent Ends’ was an absolutely brilliant conclusion to Chloe Gong’s duology, but it has also broken me, and I can’t stop think about this book even if it’s been days since I finished it。 I feel so lucky that I got to read it earlier, but I will be definitely re-reading this duology。‘Our Violent Ends’ was an emotional rollercoaster。 There’s been so much happening throughout the whole book, and it felt even more instance than the book 1 in the series。 But it was more than action, we get to know here even more the brilliant cast of the characters, and I loved them so much。 It was a great spin on ‘Romeo & Juliet’ that became such a unique and brilliant story。 Without giving too much, it was both heartbreaking and mindblowing, and I would totally recommend this book to everyone。 。。。more

Zoe

woah。

Shealea

Fuck。 This hurted intensely。 Thank you for the heartbreak, Chloe。Full review to follow。

meg

This is literally what Shakespeare tried to do and just didn’t。。? It’s like wattpadd meets creative writing & history scholar。 I am broken

Elibou

my heart aches。 i can’t believe i got the chance to get an ARC to this book, i’m so so grateful (but also pissed, didn’t need to get into a big roller coaster of emotions rn <3) to simon and schuster Canada, ily guys。ANYWAY。 `our violent ends’ e was an extraordinary book!! no slow moments, lots of ennemies, daggers and gun, but also cutesy stuff。 it was a perfect mix of both。 i was "ohh" and "ahhh"-ing in every chapter and i was SO invested in this intense book。 i suck at doing proper book revie my heart aches。 i can’t believe i got the chance to get an ARC to this book, i’m so so grateful (but also pissed, didn’t need to get into a big roller coaster of emotions rn <3) to simon and schuster Canada, ily guys。ANYWAY。 `our violent ends’ e was an extraordinary book!! no slow moments, lots of ennemies, daggers and gun, but also cutesy stuff。 it was a perfect mix of both。 i was "ohh" and "ahhh"-ing in every chapter and i was SO invested in this intense book。 i suck at doing proper book reviews but i recommend These Violent Delights so so much if you like retellings, fantasy, ennemies to lovers, LOTS of threatening scenes, and also the most loveable, badass, iconic et funny characters ever。 Juliette and Marshall owns my heart like wtv marry me already yki can’t wait for y’all to read it this november, brace yourself and take the day off。 you’re going to want to binge it in a day。 。。。more

Sarah

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley。 All thoughts and opinions are my own。〰️4/5 Stars〰️Review:Our Violent Ends picks up where the last book, These Violent Delights, left off。 This book continues the story of Juliette and Roma, two young people destined to be rivals, fated to be lovers。Re-tellingly of Shakespeare aren’t uncommon, and they aren’t always executed well。 However, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of Gong’s writing in both books of this duology。 While the book drew on I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley。 All thoughts and opinions are my own。〰️4/5 Stars〰️Review:Our Violent Ends picks up where the last book, These Violent Delights, left off。 This book continues the story of Juliette and Roma, two young people destined to be rivals, fated to be lovers。Re-tellingly of Shakespeare aren’t uncommon, and they aren’t always executed well。 However, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of Gong’s writing in both books of this duology。 While the book drew on familiar source material, Gong brought her own new ideas to the narrative。 The result was an intricate universe with complex politics, geography, magic, and characters。The central characters from the first book only come to life more in this continuation。 There is a wide variety of backgrounds represented, and the tensions in friendships and relationships formed reads to be very organic。 Gong successfully created multiple fully formed, complex, and engaging characters。 In fact, I’d argue that I enjoyed reading to learn about the characters even more than the plot itself。 All in all, this book is the perfect companion to These Violent Delights。 It’s a re-imagination that feels both modern and nostalgic。 It’s the perfect read for fans of enemies to lovers to enemies to lovers storylines。 The final lines of Romeo and Juliet Read:“For never was a story of more woeThan this of Juliet and her Romeo。”But maybe, in the alternate world Gong has created, there’s more to learn from this story than woe alone。 There’s love。 There’s pain。 There’s loss。 There’s hope。 。。。more

Helen Reads (thegirlwiththeredhat)

This。 Was。 Perfect。I absolutely ADORED These Violent Delights (although that ending was illegal to say the least), and I couldn't wait to dive into the second and final book of the duology。 I was not at all disappointed。 These characters shaped a hole in my heart and I'll always be attached to them。 The story is complex, but Chloe managed it so well, and also gave the characters space。 And the feeeels it gave me 😩 no need to say this Is now on my TOP three duologies of all time。 This。 Was。 Perfect。I absolutely ADORED These Violent Delights (although that ending was illegal to say the least), and I couldn't wait to dive into the second and final book of the duology。 I was not at all disappointed。 These characters shaped a hole in my heart and I'll always be attached to them。 The story is complex, but Chloe managed it so well, and also gave the characters space。 And the feeeels it gave me 😩 no need to say this Is now on my TOP three duologies of all time。 。。。more

els

staring at the ceiling i want to end it all this is not a joke this is my life