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Romeo and Juliette Retold: These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

17 Jul

Romeo & Juliette. Those who hear those names instantly know of Shakespeare romantic tragedy. There are countless movies about it with different takes and of course books with their own variation on the tale, including changes in the ending. In many ways, the play itself has become its own genre in terms of  the trope of star-crossed lovers. Many books will have similar themes to the play, but with their own set of characters and situations that differ but take inspiration from the source material. 

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong is one such tale. Taking place in a 1920s inspired Shanghai, it tells the story of Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov, both heirs to rival gangs, the Scarlets and the White Flowers. Juliette is a former flapper, who has returned to assume her role as heiress as head of the Scarlet Gang, whose power is higher than the law. Both the Scarlets and the White Flowers have fought for generations and the key player behind every move is the White Flowers heir, Roma. Both Juliette and Roma have a shared history as each other’s first loves that ended in betrayal. Things change when a mysterious contagion begins to make itself known and the stability of both gangs begins to crumble. Now Juliette and Roma must set their differences aside and work together before their gangs and the city are destroyed.

Gong weaves a bloody and fantastic narrative with great protagonists who are compelling as they are fun to read about.  The book also has several nods to its inspiration while still coming off as its own story as well, touching on various themes and topics that are woven quite well throughout the narrative. The mystery that makes up the primary plot of the novel is well paced and one that readers will either try to guess along the way or figure out immediately. 

There are many political references made through the book as well in regards to some of the things Shanghai was facing in reality during the 1920s, things the author handles very well and gives the readers something to think on in regards to history. 

Overall, the book is a thrilling read that will have you reaching for the sequel as soon as you reach the ending. These Violent Delights is available now along with its sequel, Our Violent Ends.

You can read several past Shakespeare inspired posts here and here and here.

Written by:
Lauren Lapinski
Information and Digital Services Library Assistant

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A Spooky Summer Read: Gallant

12 Jun

Our Hoboken Summer Reading Challenge for all ages runs through August 30; Hoboken resident card holders can track your reading and win prizes! Many readers will say that they will sometimes pick up a spooky read as a way to try and beat the heat or to pick up something a little more unconventional for their summer Beach Read. This along with a gothic, dark academia inspired setting is bound to pique the interest of those who are looking for something different to read for summer.

Written by author V.E. Schwab, Gallant tells the story of Olivia Prior, a girl who has spent most of her life growing up in Merilance School for Girls, with no connection to her parents, save only for her mother’s journal, that seems to only unravel into madness by its end pages. Then she receives an unexpected invitation to come home to Gallant, only to learn quickly that no one was expecting her when she arrives, greeted by family members that include a hostile cousin and the sight of ghouls in the hallways. In her search to uncover secrets, Oliva discovers an entrance way into a place that both is and isn’t Gallant, where the ghouls are solid and a mysterious figure rules over them all. Having always yearned for a place to belong, it’s now a question of whether Olivia will protect the world against the Master of the House or take her place alongside him.

V.E. Schwab’s writing once again captures a beautiful and captivating narrative with her prose, immediately pulling the reader into a dark and gothic world that Olivia inhabits, providing just enough of a dark academia aesthetic within the first few chapters of the book. We instantly feel for Olivia due to how isolated she is within the walls of Merilance, having no friends and having been ostracized by almost everyone in her family, yet she shows her strength as a protagonist by showing us that she will not allow herself to become an easy target. 

Several key things become apparent once she arrives home in Gallant. She must first learn about the secrets within Gallant itself and thus learn more about herself and her abilities, and she must discover the fate of her parents. All of this we learn through Olivia’s journey within the pages of the book and every moment is well captured and leaves the reader wanting to know more. Even if you are unfamiliar with V.E. Schwab and her catalog of work, this is an excellent book to start with, especially if you are looking for something that has a spooky and gothic atmosphere.

For those who are seeking a book to start off their summer reading, Gallant is a fantastic read for anyone who wants something a little more gothic and chilling in their choice of beach reads.

You can also read my review of Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue a colleague’s previous post about A Darker Shade of Magic.

nce she arrives home in Gallant. She must first learn about the secrets within Gallant itself and thus learn more about herself and her abilities, and she must discover the fate of her parents. All of this we learn through Olivia’s journey within the pages of the book and every moment is well captured and leaves the reader wanting to know more. Even if you are unfamiliar with V.E. Schwab and her catalog of work, this is an excellent book to start with, especially if you are looking for something that has a spooky and gothic atmosphere.

Written by:
Lauren Lapinski

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