Here’s a short summary of These Violent Delights:
In a gang-torn Shanghai in 1926, the heirs of two rival gangs - called the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers - are named Juliette Cai and Roma Mantagov. Both of them have had betrayal after betrayal, kill after kill, but when a monster of Shanghai, killing off both gang members, pops out of nowhere, both of them will have to work together to get to the bottom of the monster and the way it kills.
Here's a short review of the novel:
This novel’s writing was frightening with a mysterious, intriguing aura. It also played into a diverse cast - the set of characters were vibrant - and an excelling setting of a glamorous, not-so-glamourous Shanghai. Juliette was bloodthirsty and ruthless, uncaring about anyone but caring compassionately about her own gains. Meanwhile, Roma is more reclusive, though he is a pacifist. I enjoyed Juliete’s character more than Roma’s because he lacked subtle character traits, making him kind of bland in the story. It was also a historical mystery because it featured many gangs trying to find out who’s essentially wiping their members out. This was engaging to read, and despite its word-dumpy beginning, it provided to be an engaging read about passion, hate, and what it takes to care about a cause that’s more than yourself.