These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong | YA Historical Fantasy & Romance

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong is a thrilling young adult historical fantasy and romance novel that reimagines Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet in the dangerous and glamorous world of 1926 Shanghai. The story combines rival gangs, forbidden romance, political tension, family loyalty, mystery, violence, and supernatural horror into a richly atmospheric fantasy adventure.

At the center of the story are Juliette Cai, the eighteen-year-old heir to the Scarlet Gang, and Roma Montagov, heir to the rival White Flowers. Once deeply in love, the two are now bitter enemies following a devastating betrayal.

When a mysterious madness begins spreading among members of both gangs, Juliette and Roma are forced to put aside their hatred and investigate the strange deaths threatening Shanghai. As the body count rises and rumors spread about a monster lurking in the Huangpu River, the former lovers must decide whether they can work together before their city falls apart.

About This Book

These Violent Delights is Book 1 of the These Violent Delights Duet and Chloe Gong's debut novel. It combines historical fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery, and supernatural horror while drawing inspiration from one of Shakespeare's most famous tragedies.

Rather than simply retelling Romeo and Juliet, Gong transforms its central conflict into a story about two rival criminal organizations fighting for control of Shanghai.

The Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers have been locked in a violent blood feud for generations. Their heirs, Juliette and Roma, inherit not only their families' power but also the consequences of their past relationship.

Juliette Cai

Juliette Cai is the proud and determined heir to the Scarlet Gang. After returning from New York, she must reclaim her position within her family and prove that she is capable of carrying its legacy.

Juliette is intelligent, ambitious, ruthless, and fiercely protective of those she considers family. Her complicated history with Roma makes their forced partnership even more difficult.

As the mysterious illness spreads, Juliette must choose between her personal hatred and the survival of her city.

Roma Montagov

Roma Montagov is the heir to the White Flowers and Juliette's former love.

Their relationship ended after a devastating betrayal, turning the pair from star-crossed lovers into bitter rivals. Yet when Roma's own people begin falling victim to the mysterious madness, he realizes that he cannot solve the problem alone.

Working alongside Juliette forces Roma to confront his past while attempting to uncover the truth behind the supernatural threat.

1920s Shanghai

One of the novel's defining strengths is its vivid historical setting.

The story takes place in Shanghai in 1926, a city shaped by competing political interests, foreign influence, social divisions, organized crime, and rapidly changing cultural dynamics.

Gong combines this historical environment with an imaginative fantasy world involving rival gangs and supernatural forces, creating a setting that feels both recognizable and fantastical.

Scarlet Gang vs. White Flowers

The central conflict between the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers gives the story its dangerous foundation.

The Scarlets are led by the Cai family, while the White Flowers are controlled by the Russian Montagov family. Their long-standing feud affects every aspect of Juliette and Roma's lives.

The rivalry creates a world where family loyalty and personal relationships are constantly in conflict.

A Romeo and Juliet Retelling

The novel draws clear inspiration from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but gives the classic story a completely new setting and mythology.

Key parallels include:

• Rival families and factions
• Former lovers turned enemies
• Forbidden romance
• Family loyalty
• Betrayal
• Violence
• Star-crossed lovers
• Conflict between love and duty

Gong transforms these familiar ideas into a historical fantasy involving gang warfare, political tension, mystery, and a supernatural monster.

Supernatural Mystery

The story takes a darker turn when gang members begin experiencing a mysterious madness.

Victims display disturbing behavior, and rumors spread about a strange creature connected to the Huangpu River. Juliette and Roma must investigate the source of the deaths while attempting to prevent further chaos.

This supernatural mystery gives the novel a horror element alongside its romance and historical fantasy.

Romance and Enemies-to-Lovers Tension

Juliette and Roma's relationship is one of the novel's most important elements.

They were once in love, but their relationship was destroyed by betrayal. Their reunion is therefore filled with resentment, distrust, unresolved feelings, and emotional tension.

Readers who enjoy enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance, second-chance romance, and complicated relationships will find this dynamic particularly engaging.

Family, Loyalty and Identity

Beyond romance and fantasy, These Violent Delights explores the pressures created by family expectations.

Juliette and Roma are expected to become leaders of their respective factions, but their personal choices repeatedly conflict with their inherited responsibilities.

The novel examines loyalty, identity, betrayal, power, cultural conflict, and the consequences of choosing between personal desires and family obligations.

Key Topics Covered

• Young Adult Fantasy
• Historical Fantasy
• Historical Fiction
• Romantic Fantasy
• YA Romance
• Romeo and Juliet Retelling
• Shakespeare Retelling
• 1920s Shanghai
• Shanghai Historical Fiction
• Rival Gangs
• Scarlet Gang
• White Flowers
• Enemies to Lovers
• Forbidden Romance
• Star-Crossed Lovers
• Supernatural Mystery
• Paranormal Fantasy
• Monster Fiction
• Family Loyalty
• Betrayal
• Political Conflict
• Gang Warfare
• Mystery Thriller
• Chinese Historical Fantasy
• Teen Fiction
• Secret Shanghai
• Historical Romance

Why Read This Book?

These Violent Delights is an excellent choice for readers who want more than a conventional romance or fantasy novel.

Its combination of historical Shanghai, rival gangs, supernatural mystery, political intrigue, and forbidden romance creates a distinctive reading experience.

The Romeo and Juliet inspiration gives readers familiar emotional themes while Chloe Gong's world-building introduces new characters, conflicts, and supernatural mythology.

The publisher identifies the novel as an Instant New York Times Bestseller and a BuzzFeed Best Young Adult Book of 2020.

Who Should Read This?

This book is particularly suitable for:

• Young adult fantasy readers
• Historical fantasy fans
• YA romance readers
• Shakespeare fans
• Romeo and Juliet retelling enthusiasts
• Enemies-to-lovers readers
• Forbidden romance fans
• Supernatural mystery readers
• Historical fiction readers
• Readers interested in 1920s Shanghai
• Fans of rival-gang stories
• Readers who enjoy strong female protagonists
• Fans of Chloe Gong
• Readers who enjoy fantasy with mystery and romance

Product Details

• Book Title: These Violent Delights
• Author: Chloe Gong
• Series: These Violent Delights Duet
• Book Number: Book 1
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Original Publication Date: November 17, 2020
• Language: English
• Genre: Young Adult / Historical Fantasy / Romantic Fantasy
• ISBN-13: 9781534457690
• Format: English Paperback
• Pages: Edition-dependent

The publisher lists the original edition as published by Margaret K. McElderry Books on November 17, 2020, with ISBN 9781534457690. The publisher record lists 464 pages, while library and other bibliographic records can report slightly different pagination for the same edition. Later paperback editions use different ISBNs.

About the Author

Chloe Gong is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for fantasy and science-fiction novels. Her books include the These Violent Delights Duet, Foul Lady Fortune, and Immortal Longings.

Gong was born in Shanghai and raised in Auckland, New Zealand. She studied English and international relations at the University of Pennsylvania and has been recognized on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Final Overview

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong is a stylish young adult historical fantasy that transforms Romeo and Juliet into a dangerous story of rival gangs, forbidden love, family loyalty, political conflict, and supernatural mystery.

Set in 1926 Shanghai, the novel follows Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov as their bitter rivalry is interrupted by a mysterious madness threatening both gangs.

For readers searching for YA historical fantasy, Romeo and Juliet retellings, enemies-to-lovers romance, supernatural mystery, rival-gang fiction, and atmospheric 1920s Shanghai stories, These Violent Delights is a compelling addition to a modern book collection.