Between the Shanghai setting, the mafia background, and just a hint of magic, These Violent Delights really sets itself apart from other YA romances.

I really enjoyed reading this book, specially because the plot was so rich. Yes, the focus is on the romance, but more so on Roma and Julliete's story than their relationship per-se.

Would I call this a Romeo and Juliet retelling? Eh... I'd lean more towards a work inspired by. Besides some nods to the original play, it doesn't really go beyond their names and family rivalry. But this isn't a flaw: Chloe Gong does way more with this book than she could if she had binded herself to the source material.

I also really appreciate that she allowed the entire cast to shine and feel alive, giving their points of view and exploring their own paths. 

Most of them (specially Juliette) are quite stupid sometimes and the narrative really had no subtlety introducing its feminist themes (I lost count how many times we stop for an entire paragraph where Juliette explains that she is required to look pretty and calm because she's a girl and her authority is questioned), but it didn't bother me that much since this is intended for teenagers.

The mistery itself was compelling, the relationship delivered good tension between them trying to act as enemies while not really hating one another, and I was engrossed the entire time.