however, once the action part of the story starts, i was unable to stop reading. i also found some of the scenes a little useless to the overall story. for example, we are constantly reminded that juliette has power amongst the scarlet gang. i must admit, the book took quite some time to get into, and i did find the first 40% to be quite repetitive. Not only that, but i was also left speechless because of the way the author builds up to the climax of the story. i found the premise to be very intriguing, and from the first page, the author sets you right in the mood for the book, with a gorgeous poetic writing and a beautiful use of words. in order to do so, the two heirs must leave their blood feud -and history- aside.

Set in 1920s shanghai, the story is about two rival gangs, The Scarlet Gang and The White Flowers and their respective heirs, Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov, as they try to uncover the secrets behind the uncommon deaths among the citizens of their city. These Violent Delights is a heart-wrenching YA historical fantasy that tore my heart to pieces, yet left me wanting (and needing) more. I cannot believe i have survived this book, yet here we are. 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. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal.īut when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. 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.

The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery.Ī blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos.

Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.

These violent delights goodreads