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These Violent Delights: These Violent Delights Series, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Chloe Gong (Author), Cindy Kay (Narrator), Tantor Audio (Publisher)
4.3 out of 5 stars 5,985 ratings
Editors' pick Best Romance

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 18-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.

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  1. Book 1 of 2
    These Violent Delights
  2. Listening Length
    14 hours and 14 minutes
  3. Author
    Chloe Gong
  4. Narrator
    Cindy Kay
  5. Audible release date
    January 26, 2021
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    Tantor Audio
  8. ASIN
    B08TKWKDKP
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Book 1 of 2 These Violent Delights
Listening Length 14 hours and 14 minutes
Author Chloe Gong
Narrator Cindy Kay
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date January 26, 2021
Publisher Tantor Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B08TKWKDKP
Best Sellers Rank #131,415 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#48 in Historical Romance for Teens
#105 in Historical Fantasy for Teens
#127 in Multicultural Fiction for Teens

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
5,985 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise this book's readability, with one noting it's a perfect book to break a reading slump. The plot receives positive feedback for being a delightful Romeo and Juliet retelling with jaw-dropping plot twists, and customers appreciate the well-developed characters and strong female lead. The writing quality is acclaimed for its spectacular prose, though opinions about the pacing are mixed, with some finding it fast-paced while others say it starts slow.

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48 customers mention "Plot"41 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, praising its premise and setting as promising a fantastic story, and appreciating it as a delightful Romeo and Juliet retelling with interesting backstory and mystery elements.

"...The plot is so unique , especially the monster, I’ve never read a story that has had that type of monster so that was fascinating and it left me on..." Read more

"...The sizzling, slow-burn romance between Juliette and Roma, while they grapple against past mistakes, missed opportunities, and blazing hopes that..." Read more

"...mixed emotions about this book it started out really creepy and interesting with a hint at something diabolical in the works...." Read more

"...fantasy, but she took it a step further and infused her tale with so much period history that it felt like the best history lesson in the history of..." Read more

47 customers mention "Readability"43 positive4 negative

Customers find the book readable and brilliant, with one mentioning its beautiful descriptions, and another noting it's perfect for breaking a book slump.

"...The intricate and beautiful descriptions created such a vivid image in your head that it’s very easy to journey around Shanghai with Roma And..." Read more

"...but it was an interesting read with the added bonus of the mystery to uncover...." Read more

"...jaw-dropping plot twists, and an wholly immersive, beautifully-rendered world of 1920's Shanghai, which was intricately, wonderfully bought to life...." Read more

"Absolutely amazing...." Read more

31 customers mention "Writing quality"26 positive5 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as spectacular and an engaging read, with one customer noting how it gets readers to truly think about the text.

"...Chloes prose is so enchanting and romantic that I fell in love with her writing style and descriptions from the very first page...." Read more

"...of unforgettable characters, jaw-dropping plot twists, and an wholly immersive, beautifully-rendered world of 1920's Shanghai, which was intricately..." Read more

"...The book was very slow which was frustrating because it was beautifully written, but I honestly felt like half the chapters could have been taken..." Read more

"...And Roma, my sweet sweet Roma, is one of the most beautifully written characters ever...." Read more

25 customers mention "Character development"21 positive4 negative

Customers praise the well-developed characters in the book, particularly Chloe Gong's extraordinary YA talent, with one customer specifically appreciating the retelling of Romeo and Juliet.

"...The characters are all so well developed and 3D, each not being like the other...." Read more

"...and Roma are also supported by an equally standout, secondary cast of characters including: intense but sensitive Benedikt Montagov, hilarious, devil..." Read more

"...That being said Juliette was an amazing main character, she was ruthless and fierce...." Read more

"...I think Chloe did an excellent job fleshing out the main character and supporting characters...." Read more

6 customers mention "Female lead"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the female lead in the book, describing her as fierce and headstrong.

"...said Juliette was an amazing main character, she was ruthless and fierce...." Read more

"...Bottom line — THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS was a gritty, gory delight filled with plenty of twists and turns...." Read more

"...but let’s try for that arc🤞🏽Juliet Cai is one of the strongest female leads I’ve ever read it about, hands down...." Read more

"...pounding and I honestly loved how the Juliette was perfectly flawed, headstrong and completely capable of handling herself...." Read more

22 customers mention "Pacing"10 positive12 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it fast-paced and appreciating the Shanghai setting, while others note it starts slow and takes about 100 pages to engage readers.

"...The middle is ok. I absolutely love the description of shanghai, made ugly and beautiful. I don’t think I will read the next book." Read more

"...It was violent (obviously: title), and not a fast read for me...." Read more

"This book started with great pacing and compelling plot developments, and ended that way too. But the middle 250 pages dragged...." Read more

"...that both heirs were facing in their own gangs. The book was very slow which was frustrating because it was beautifully written, but I..." Read more

Read These Violent Delights for clear skin!
5 out of 5 stars
Read These Violent Delights for clear skin!
Amazing , show-stopping , one in a million , brilliant , never been done before - I’m running out of adjectives 😩 I have so much to say but my brain cannot even fathom how much I love this book. It’s a strong debut and the entire TVD universe has me by the throat. Chloes prose is so enchanting and romantic that I fell in love with her writing style and descriptions from the very first page. The intricate and beautiful descriptions created such a vivid image in your head that it’s very easy to journey around Shanghai with Roma And Juliette. I loved the tension between them especially how headstrong Juliette is and her intense ability to despise Roma (something I could not do 🙇🏽‍♀️). The characters are all so well developed and 3D, each not being like the other. Chloe weaves in transphobia and Kathleen’s story so respectfully placed and so smoothly, I was so pleasantly surprise because in the writing it came out like it was second nature to her - it’s very easy for rep to be forced but that wasn’t the case here. I love , LOVE , let me say it one more time - LOVE benedikt and i will fight anyone who disagrees with how amazing he is. The plot is so unique , especially the monster, I’ve never read a story that has had that type of monster so that was fascinating and it left me on my toes about how they’re going to possible defeat it. I also loved the political intrigue. As a history and political junkie , I found that this novel wasn’t advertised with political intrigue but more romance and it’s the entire opposite in the book. So, whilst I was upset there wasn’t enough romance - I was elated that western imperialism , communism and capitalism were all discussed. I think I’ve said too much but please buy this book. It’s more amazing than I can put into words!!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Caitlyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Read These Violent Delights for clear skin!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Amazing , show-stopping , one in a million , brilliant , never been done before - I’m running out of adjectives 😩

    I have so much to say but my brain cannot even fathom how much I love this book. It’s a strong debut and the entire TVD universe has me by the throat.

    Chloes prose is so enchanting and romantic that I fell in love with her writing style and descriptions from the very first page. The intricate and beautiful descriptions created such a vivid image in your head that it’s very easy to journey around Shanghai with Roma And Juliette.

    I loved the tension between them especially how headstrong Juliette is and her intense ability to despise Roma (something I could not do 🙇🏽‍♀️). The characters are all so well developed and 3D, each not being like the other. Chloe weaves in transphobia and Kathleen’s story so respectfully placed and so smoothly, I was so pleasantly surprise because in the writing it came out like it was second nature to her - it’s very easy for rep to be forced but that wasn’t the case here.

    I love , LOVE , let me say it one more time - LOVE benedikt and i will fight anyone who disagrees with how amazing he is.

    The plot is so unique , especially the monster, I’ve never read a story that has had that type of monster so that was fascinating and it left me on my toes about how they’re going to possible defeat it. I also loved the political intrigue. As a history and political junkie , I found that this novel wasn’t advertised with political intrigue but more romance and it’s the entire opposite in the book. So, whilst I was upset there wasn’t enough romance - I was elated that western imperialism , communism and capitalism were all discussed.

    I think I’ve said too much but please buy this book. It’s more amazing than I can put into words!!
    Customer image
    Caitlyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    Read These Violent Delights for clear skin!

    Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2021
    Amazing , show-stopping , one in a million , brilliant , never been done before - I’m running out of adjectives 😩

    I have so much to say but my brain cannot even fathom how much I love this book. It’s a strong debut and the entire TVD universe has me by the throat.

    Chloes prose is so enchanting and romantic that I fell in love with her writing style and descriptions from the very first page. The intricate and beautiful descriptions created such a vivid image in your head that it’s very easy to journey around Shanghai with Roma And Juliette.

    I loved the tension between them especially how headstrong Juliette is and her intense ability to despise Roma (something I could not do 🙇🏽‍♀️). The characters are all so well developed and 3D, each not being like the other. Chloe weaves in transphobia and Kathleen’s story so respectfully placed and so smoothly, I was so pleasantly surprise because in the writing it came out like it was second nature to her - it’s very easy for rep to be forced but that wasn’t the case here.

    I love , LOVE , let me say it one more time - LOVE benedikt and i will fight anyone who disagrees with how amazing he is.

    The plot is so unique , especially the monster, I’ve never read a story that has had that type of monster so that was fascinating and it left me on my toes about how they’re going to possible defeat it. I also loved the political intrigue. As a history and political junkie , I found that this novel wasn’t advertised with political intrigue but more romance and it’s the entire opposite in the book. So, whilst I was upset there wasn’t enough romance - I was elated that western imperialism , communism and capitalism were all discussed.

    I think I’ve said too much but please buy this book. It’s more amazing than I can put into words!!
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    7 people found this helpful
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  • K. Green
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very solid read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    3.7

    I saw this book over and over on booktok so I threw it on my library hold list without reading the synopsis. This is a new thing I'm doing, trying to open myself up to books I would otherwise skip (and maybe miss something good because I 'meh'd the synopsis). Im glad I took this tactic on this book because, had I not, I never wouldve picked it up.

    Some history on me - I *loathe* Romeo and Juilet. It is the worst story in the history of ever... a 13yo and a 16yo see each other twice, decide they are instantly, madly in love with each other; then ruin their and their entire family's life over the course of a week. Its not a love story, like so many like to swoon about, its a (literally) tragedy. So as soon as I picked this book up and saw it was a R&J retelling my brain went 'doooooh' but I promised I would give it 25% before I set it down and DNF. I was immediately placated by the fact they were both 19 (still teenagers, but at least slightly older) and had a history from 4 years prior. It immediately made it seem a more realistic story than R&J.

    I ended up enjoying this story quite a lot. Its, obviously, not sunshine and daisies (again - its based on a tragedy so I knew not to expect happiness bubbling everywhere), but it was an interesting read with the added bonus of the mystery to uncover. I really love Marshall and Benedikt and their banter (I'll keep this spoiler free - meaning I cant say s***, ugh).

    It was violent (obviously: title), and not a fast read for me. I had to set it down sometimes because I kept expecting people to die all the time (**anxiety**). But I made it through and Im glad for it. I will - eventually - pick up book 2.
    17 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • E.K.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning, historical fantasy debut from an extraordinary YA talent to keep in mind.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    In this marvelous, ambitious reimagining of Romeo and Juliet, talented wordsmith Chloe Gong takes readers on a sweeping, sublime journey, where something sinister lurks just below the surface of the glitz, the glamour, and intrigue of 1920's Shanghai. Set in this dazzling "Paris of the East," the story begins with our main leads, Juliette Cai, the daughter of Chinese gangster royalty, and Roma Montagov, the son of Russian émigrés who fled during the Bolshevik Revolution, who remain at the epicenter of an ongoing blood feud between their respective families, the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers. While the Cais have typically ruled Shanghai with an iron fist for generations, the Montagovs, with their gradual but steady climb to power, threaten to usurp the Cais' longtime stranglehold over the city. As this feud begins to rack up a higher body count in the streets day-by-day, the underworld faces its own threat against other emerging power players, such as the Foreign Concessions, the Communists, and the Kuomintang, with all these separate factions jockeying for control over Shanghai.

    From page one, I was immediately hooked with Gong's exquisite, spectacular prose, her cast of unforgettable characters, jaw-dropping plot twists, and an wholly immersive, beautifully-rendered world of 1920's Shanghai, which was intricately, wonderfully bought to life. The sizzling, slow-burn romance between Juliette and Roma, while they grapple against past mistakes, missed opportunities, and blazing hopes that could very well lead to a secure future or complete ruin, is sure to delight readers - since one can't help but root for them as these rival heirs attempt to defy their starcrossed fate. Though, Juliette and Roma are also supported by an equally standout, secondary cast of characters including: intense but sensitive Benedikt Montagov, hilarious, devil-without-a care, #sinammon roll Marshall Seo, and viciously loyal Kathleen Lang. I for one, am certainly looking forward to the next installment of THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS, as Gong is simply an extraordinary YA talent to keep in mind, with this stunning, historical fantasy debut.
    11 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Moerat
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good world building
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on February 25, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Good enemies to loves story, but it wasn't my favorite. I would recommend it mainly because of the world building
    Report
  • Poh Fu Qiang
    4.0 out of 5 stars Book cover
    Reviewed in Singapore on August 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    the book cover at the bottom was alr crumpled when i took it out from the parcel pls include wrapping for the BOOK itself next time if possible!
    Customer image
    Poh Fu Qiang
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Book cover

    Reviewed in Singapore on August 6, 2021
    the book cover at the bottom was alr crumpled when i took it out from the parcel pls include wrapping for the BOOK itself next time if possible!
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Report
  • Sree
    5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best Retelling ever-written and defintely best romeojuliette retelling.
    Reviewed in India on May 20, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book people is EVERYTHING. THE STORY, THE CHARACTERS, THE MYSTERY, THE ROMANCE, EVERYTHING IS SOOO GOOD.I cannot believe how good this book is . Chloe gong is such a good writer , I am going to buy anything she writes from now on.

    These violent delights is set in 1920's Shangai, with two rival gangs in the center of madness , that is out of their reach.This book deals with some real-life events that occurred in shangai at the time with colonialism and capitalism blooming in china at the time.

    Roma and Juliette are such engaging and strong protagonists, both of their characters are soo complex ,and interesting . I really loved how chloe gong built roma and Juliette as characters and their romance is to DIE FOR.(no pun intended).They have a lot of conflicting feeling for each other due to their gangs rivalry and them being the heirs doesn't make the matters easier.

    RECOMMEND THIS BOOK 100000% . CANNOT WAIT FOR OUR VIOLENT ENDS (That cliffhanger and the twist at the end though)
    Report
  • Rose
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gangsters en Shanghai, los Cai y los Montagov
    Reviewed in Mexico on May 1, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    El libro llegó en muy buen estado y aún estoy leyéndolo. Hasta ahora la historia es muy buena. Me gusta este retelling de Romeo & Julieta.
    Para quien tiene un nivel B2 de inglés no le será nada difícil leerlo.
    Report
  • Sarah
    4.0 out of 5 stars This book is a great YA History Fantasy!!
    Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on January 11, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a great Romeo and Juliet retelling. Personally, I have never read Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, however I did read this and I am SHOCKED!! The way that Chloe Gong built the world was beautiful, and now I truly want to visit Shanghai. Can't say this book didn't make me cry. That conclusion!! OMG the conclusion was everything. I love a good cliff-ganger in the end, and the fact that the author wrote "to be continued." I NEED THE SEQUEL!! I totally recommend to Romeo and Juliet and YA fantasy, and YA History. This book was absolutely amazing!! The hate and love relationship was. *chefs kiss* The characters were so intriguing and I am really excited for the sequel.

    Now you might be thinking, if she loves this book so much, why did she rate it a 4 stars and not a 5. Now I will tell you. I love how there were different languages, and sometimes the author translates them into English, but there are a few sentences where she didn't and it was so confusing that I had to go search the meaning xD
    THERE WERE SO MANY DIFFERENT LANGUAGES THAT I COULDNT KEEP UP!!

    What is the book about:

    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.

    Now!! I figured out that Chloe Gong (the author) has a tik Tok page and it is so funny and talks more about the book, so if you want to learn more go follow the actual author!
    Report