Take a photo of a barcode or cover
jessread_s 's review for:
Our Violent Ends
by Chloe Gong
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Review: Gong’s tragedy is no less soul crushing that Shakespeare’s in this powerful conclusion to the “These Violent Delights” duology.
Once again, Roma and Juliette view one another as the enemy. The reader feels the weight of Juliette’s betrayal on Benedikt and Roma as they mourn the loss of their friend. As the novel progresses, their grief gives over to hatred. While Benedikt’s hatred is directed towards Juliette, Roma’s hatred is turned inward. Even after the events that transpired in the hospital, his heart still belongs to Juliette and Roma despises himself for it. Meanwhile, Juliette experiences self-inflicted heartbreak as a result of her decision to push Roma away as a form of protection. All of these complex emotions, each detailed in separate points-of-view, prevent “Our Violent Ends” from being too repetitive of its predecessor.
Unbeknownst to the Montagov cousins, Marshall is still alive. Gong takes the opportunity to shed light on his past, which was not elaborated upon in “These Violent Delights.” The reader finally learns about his upbringing, what became of his parents, and how he became a member of the White Flowers. Each new revelation made gives insight into Marshall’s motivations and adds depth to his character.
Gong also pulls at loose threads to extend the mystery established in book one. Her choice to do so forces Roma and Juliette to reunite and work together to determine who is behind the new monster attacks in Shanghai. Like “These Violent Delights,” “Our Violent Ends” has fantastic plot twists that I did not see coming.
One thing I did see coming, however, was this novel’s end. Gong stays true to “Romeo and Juliet” in that regard, but somehow makes the pain ten times worse. Despite preparing myself for what was to come, I was hit hard by Gong’s words and did not make it out unscathed, which is a testament to her writing.
Gong’s new book “Foul Lady Fortune,” an “As You Like It” retelling, is due to be released in September. I pray I will have recovered enough by then to read it, because the groundwork was laid out as early as “These Violent Delights” and it was done beautifully.
Once again, Roma and Juliette view one another as the enemy. The reader feels the weight of Juliette’s betrayal on Benedikt and Roma as they mourn the loss of their friend. As the novel progresses, their grief gives over to hatred. While Benedikt’s hatred is directed towards Juliette, Roma’s hatred is turned inward. Even after the events that transpired in the hospital, his heart still belongs to Juliette and Roma despises himself for it. Meanwhile, Juliette experiences self-inflicted heartbreak as a result of her decision to push Roma away as a form of protection. All of these complex emotions, each detailed in separate points-of-view, prevent “Our Violent Ends” from being too repetitive of its predecessor.
Unbeknownst to the Montagov cousins, Marshall is still alive. Gong takes the opportunity to shed light on his past, which was not elaborated upon in “These Violent Delights.” The reader finally learns about his upbringing, what became of his parents, and how he became a member of the White Flowers. Each new revelation made gives insight into Marshall’s motivations and adds depth to his character.
Gong also pulls at loose threads to extend the mystery established in book one. Her choice to do so forces Roma and Juliette to reunite and work together to determine who is behind the new monster attacks in Shanghai. Like “These Violent Delights,” “Our Violent Ends” has fantastic plot twists that I did not see coming.
One thing I did see coming, however, was this novel’s end. Gong stays true to “Romeo and Juliet” in that regard, but somehow makes the pain ten times worse. Despite preparing myself for what was to come, I was hit hard by Gong’s words and did not make it out unscathed, which is a testament to her writing.
Gong’s new book “Foul Lady Fortune,” an “As You Like It” retelling, is due to be released in September. I pray I will have recovered enough by then to read it, because the groundwork was laid out as early as “These Violent Delights” and it was done beautifully.