“Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight, For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.”

• (Shakespeare, 1597/2011 1.5.59-60)

“‘Keep fighting for love,’ she whispered. ‘It is worth it”’ (Gong 2021 p.373)

Debut author Chloe Gong wraps up her spinoff duology These Violent Delights with a stunning conclusion, leaving readers excited for her spinoff series and grappling for more. Our Violent Ends was released on November 1, 2021. She picks up her pen once again, enthralling readers who were bloodthirsty for the continuation. If you enjoyed the first book, you will for sure adore this sequel.

Taking place a few months after the events of the first book, it highlights Roma and Juliette’s relationship once again while exploring a few new ones. We return back to Shanghai and watch the two rivals once again grapple between their hearts and their heads. This time the tables are turned as Juliette is the one who is now keeping secrets to protect her and Roma’s lives and love. Our Violent Ends emphasizes the struggles between keeping your secrets safe while grappling with your heart similarly to These Violent Delights but now the characters’ roles are reversed. 

As I sit down to write this review I realize that the words I have will probably not describe what I felt, but I will certainly try. I was ecstatic to pick up my book and remembered just how much I missed this universe.

I was rendered speechless in some (ok, let’s be real, many) chapters of this book, and I needed numerous tissue boxes for all of the emotions this book made me experience. These characters came back more vulnerable, yet stronger all at the same time and the heartfelt words whispered in safe houses, during war, and climactic scenes rendered me speechless. 

This book also contained Romeo and Juliet references which excited me to no end and highlighted the power of our decisions and exactly what we are capable of. Roma and Juliette understand each other on such a deep level and it is another reason as to why they complement each other so well. They know each other better than they know themselves and they both realize that choosing their love over hate has such a powerful effect and set off a course of action that changes the remainder of their lives forever. 

Gong also dived deeper into some characters’ backstories such as Tyler and Rosalind which was intriguing. She highlighted each character’s flaws and imperfections while showing that they can be redeemed. The subtle hints left throughout the book introducing the new (yet seemingly similar) monster was enjoyable and the exploration of new plotlines was satisfying. Readers must be wary because when one problem is solved another arises and the ending was bittersweet yet shocking all the same. 

I appreciated how the ending still leaves room for the spinoff to explore and the overarching message of hope and the emphasis of just what every single person is capable of resonates deeply in this book. I’m sad to say farewell to this duology but this universe is still not complete. I cannot wait for the spinoff series, and I absolutely know that Gong will create so many more masterpieces ahead. Be sure to read the spinoff series to These Violent Delights, Chloe Gong’s upcoming series, Foul Lady Fortune, on September 27, 2022, available on Amazon, Target, and other book retailers.