The story of "These Violent Delights" follows the lives of two bright college freshmen, Paul and Julian, who are instantly drawn to each other. However, their relationship takes a violent turn as the story progresses. Despite the title of the book, I was still unprepared for the intensity of the story. Had I known it was inspired by movies like "Heavenly Creatures" or "Leopold and Loeb," I may have been better equipped. Fortunately, I read this book with in a buddy read, and our discussions helped me process the story.

While I enjoyed the book overall, I had difficulty connecting with the characters. They were aloof, arrogant, and overly intellectual, to the point of annoyance. It was as if their nihilistic attitudes kept me at arm's length. However, I do appreciate how their attitudes contributed to the story's message about toxic love. It portrayed how love can become one's identity, even if it's unhealthy. The writing style was elegant, and the book had thrilling moments that kept me engaged. Overall, I gave the book four stars.