ADVERTISEMENT {REVIEW}
I received this book as a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion. A big thank you goes here to Hachette Australia.
A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city in the grip of chaos. At its heart 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.
Publisher : Hodder Paperbacks
Language : English
Paperback : 478 pages
ISBN-10 : 1529344530
ISBN-13 : 978-1529344530
The cover of ᴛʜᴇsᴇ ᴠɪᴏʟᴇɴᴛ ᴅᴇʟɪɢʜᴛs by Chloe Gong is really beautiful. And even though it hints towards the setting of the story, I would have expected something different only from the cover.
The author’s writing style was quite thrilling and she did an awesome job when it came to the mystery part of the storyline. I was taken by surprise by most of the twists and turns in this story.
Unfortunately, the romance part of this book didn’t fully convince me. Since this is a Romeo and Juliet retelling, I expected big emotions and a dramatic, heartbreaking story but this part of the story just wasn’t it for me.
Even though I didn’t feel the emotions, I still really liked the characters. I enjoyed the strong and interesting protagonists but I absolutely adore the side characters like Marshall and Ben. Their easy going, yet loyal personalities and their constant teasing and bickering just made it so much fun to read the scenes they’re in.
All up, ᴛʜᴇsᴇ ᴠɪᴏʟᴇɴᴛ ᴅᴇʟɪɢʜᴛs by Chloe Gong has been an equally interesting, fun, and disturbing read all at once. At times, this story gave me the chills and the emotions couldn’t capture me, but the characters, storyline, and writing style made mostly up for it. It might not have been my number 1 highlight but I’d still recommend it if you enjoy a good mystery combined with an amazing setting.