THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS by Chloe Gong

“The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery. A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city in chaos. Juliette Cai is the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang – a network of criminals far above the law. Roma Montagov is the prodigal son of his greatest rivals, the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. He is also Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal. When a deadly madness strikes gangsters on both sides, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, and a monster in the shadows. And as the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns – and their grudges – aside and work together. For if they can’t stop this mayhem, there will be no city left to rule.”

What is the book about?

It is 1926 and Shanghai is divided. Blood runs through its streets from the blood feud between the two gangs that each rule half of the city – the Scarlets and the White Flowers. Juliette Cai is the heir of the Scarlets and she has just come back from America and is ready to reclaim her role as one of the most important people in Shanghai. Roma Montagov is the assumed heir of the rival gang, the White Flowers, but he has yet to prove to his father that he is worthy of the title. Juliette and Roma, though from enemy gangs, were lovers once, but since Roma’s betrayal, neither has seen the other in four years and they were hoping to never have to face each other again. However, when a deadly madness strikes and no one knows who or what is causing it, Roma and Juliette must learn to set aside their differences and grudges and work together as they used to be able to do. Both White Flowers and Scarlet alike are dying from this madness – as well as many innocent citizens – and, if they don't work together, the death toll will continue to rise and the city will be lost…forever.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Ever since it was released, this book remained on my wish list and I was constantly talking to my friends that how much I wanted to read it. I'm an absolute sucker for all retellings of old fairy tales, old plays and pretty much anything else and I absolutely love some enemies to lovers romance. So when I unwrapped my unsurprisingly rectangular-shaped gift from my reader friend, I was overjoyed to see the cover of These Violent Delights. As soon as I got it, I started to look to see if there was any sequels and when I found out I could pre-order the sequel and get it in November, I immediately ordered it with a gift voucher I had been given, not even waiting to see if I was going to enjoy These Violent Delights. Impatiently, I waited until the sequel arrived because I didn't want to be left on a cliff-hanger, which I knew was what would happen. As soon as I picked up the book (once the sequel had arrived), I was overjoyed at the fact that I would finally be able to read a book that I had wanted to since the very beginning. However, when I open the first page, my high hopes for the book started to vanish. From the very beginning I began doubted that I was going to like the book as much as I thought because I found that it was a little tiny bit too slow for my taste. However, as soon as I really got into the book, I was speeding through it and I found that I could not put it down and I was constantly on the edge of my seat. I'm sure a lot of you will find the book is also a bit slow to start with, but I promise you it will be worth it if you just give it a chance.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Before I had even started to read, I thought that this decision was going to be an easy one. I thought I'd just pick the strong female protagonist in the book, which in this case was going to be Juliette. However, her strong-headedness, impatience and stubbornness (all qualities that I know we share), was enough to make me think twice about my decision. After strong consideration, I believe that my favourite character is probably Kathleen. Although to a lot of people she probably seemed like an extremely minor character, to me she played an important role. She had all the qualities that I liked about Juliette: she was brave, smart, resourceful and she knew when to pick up a gun and wasn’t afraid to shoot it. However, she also had the opposite qualities to the ones that I dislike to actually app: she was patient, kind and she knew you that she had the think before acting. I think the best thing about her was that, although she wouldn't hesitate to act, she would certainly think on her actions and she wouldn't do anything that wasn't thought through and she knew was going to do something good. A lot of people mistook her as a pacifist but in reality she was just practical and she knew that, although violence is needed, it isn’t always the first answer.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

This wasn’t a difficult decision at all, however I don't want to ruin the book for anyone who hasn't read it so I'm going to try to be extremely discreet, but I know that all of those of you who have read it will know what I'm talking about. My favourite part of the book was when certain couple of people were at a certain bar in a certain room where they finally succumbed to some feelings. I really liked the part because of how I reacted to it. It had been a while since I read an enemies to lovers romance and I missed all the feelings of hatred and all the squeals when something really good happened and I was really glad to finally be able to feel these again in this book. This book was certainly a rollercoaster adventure, but this part made me feel like all the highs and the lows were worth it. They were moments when I couldn't stand reading the book and there were moments where I thought it was the most amazing, incredible read ever, but this part felt like the rollercoaster had finally slowed and I was just enjoying the view; it was the most amazing thing in the entire world. I know that this romance is not possible for me, but at least I have my books and they are the closest thing I'm ever going to get.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, These Violent Delights was one of the most amazing books I have read in a really long time. One thing that I absolutely loved was how I was always on the edge of my seat just waiting for the next twist. Every time I felt like I was getting closer to figuring out the truth about the madness, another clue was thrown at me and I was just as lost as all the characters. Another thing that I really loved was how I felt like the author was just stringing me along, giving me tiny little bits of information about Juliette and Roma's past, but not enough to make me actually understand what had happened those years ago. However, it didn't stop me from getting so connected to them and becoming extremely over excited at even the slightest look between them, just praying that they would get together again and I would finally get some much needed romance in an extremely violent book. One last thing that I really liked about the book was the tiny and subtle flashbacks to Juliette and Roma's past. A flashback is one of the things that I will always love in a book and, even if it is one of the worst I've ever read, this automatically makes me increase it by one star. So, when I was reading a flashback in this book, which was already on at least four stars, it made me feel like I was actually reading perfection, even though in reality the book was far from perfect. Although at the beginning I had doubted my love for the book, I realise that I shouldn't have been so quick to judge because, even though it had a slow and slightly bumpy start, in the end These Violent Delights has a quick favourite and I cannot wait to begin reading the sequel!

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 100000% recommend These Violent Delights for it is one of the most confusing and yet unbelievably amazing books I have read this year. It is perfect for anyone over the age of 15, who absolutely loves adventure, romance, action and doesn't mind for things to get a little bit bloody.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A violent and astonishing retelling of one of Shakespeare's most romantic plays.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

About Me: Merry Christmas!

Hi all! I know that this is completely random, but I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to anyone who is reading my blog. I hope that around this time of year, my blog is a little more useful than usual because now you are all probably trying to add things to your Christmas List and are looking through my blog for anything you may find of interest. The majority of the books I review are those that I get gifted around this time, so I hope that a lot of you are also hoping to get books for Christmas, though I know that the number of teens reading is quickly diminishing and soon there will be only us strong readers. 

I also wanted to say, as a reminder to you all, why I continue with this blog, even after finishing my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award (which, by the way, I finally got after completing it 2 years ago). I keep reviewing books because books are my passion and right now I feel like I don't have any purpose in life because I truly have no clue what to do in the future. But, when I read, all of those feelings disappear and its just me and the characters of the story going on an incredible adventure. It is while I'm reading that I feel completely unstoppable as I fight dragons and demons and sorcerers, which feels so much easier than facing reality. Books are my escape and all of the books that I review here, and all the ones from my childhood, are a part of me. 

Lots of people tell me that what I read isn't real and that I should stop thinking about it. But these people just don't understand. To me, and any other reader you encounter, books are not just words on paper; books are adventures just waiting to begin and characters waiting to take you on them. Deep down, I know that magic isn't real and that all the fictional stories that I read will never be truth. However, I will never admit to having these feelings because for me, books are real and all the characters I have read about are real, because they live through me.

I hope you guys understand what I am saying, and if you don't yet, then keep reading because I am sure that you will find the answer to every question buried somewhere within a book. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I wish you all the best for next year. 

GHOSTS by Raina Telgemeier

“‘There’s something different about this town…’ Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn’t happy about leaving her friends for Bahía de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbour lets them in on a secret; there are ghosts in Bahía de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of the year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister’s sake – and her own.”

What is the book about?

Catrina feels her whole life is ending when her parents announce that they will be moving to the North of California. She feels like it is ruining her life because of the lack of sunlight and lack of friends that she is going to find in Bahía de la Luna, but she has no choice but to pretend to be happy because the main reason for the move isn’t her dad’s new job, but, in fact, that her little sister, Maya, has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty, sea air from the coast. When they arrive and go exploring in their new home, they encounter a neighbour, who lets them in on a secret about Bahía de la Luna – the town is full of ghosts. Maya is beyond excited and all she wants is to meet one, but Cat is far from happy and wants to ignore the nightmare. But, as the time of year when ghosts appear and live alongside people for a night approaches, Cat must set aside her fear of ghosts and face them for her sister and herself…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

When my sister bought this book, I was beyond excited to read it. I knew it was going to be a fast and incredibly interesting read that I was going to absolutely love and I was beyond ready to read. Once I read the blurb, I was even more desperate to read the book as I was so intrigued and curious to learn more about the ghosts that would be found in Bahía de la Luna. I was really excited and, once I finally began to read, I knew that my excitement for the book was well deserved because of how I was already reaching the end, when I thought that I had only just started to read. It really was a great read and I knew that from the start.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was, no doubt, Maya. She was extremely inspirational in the way that she didn’t let her illness deter her from having fun and, in fact, I think that having cystic fibrosis made her braver than any other character. She knew that she was going to die earlier than she should if she wasn’t ill, but she didn’t let that stop her and instead she decided to live her life to the fullest and I think she was one of the happiest children I have ever read about. However, she was also a practical person and she was incredibly stubborn and it didn’t matter what she wanted, she was determined to get it, even if it was risky. She was incredibly inspirational and taught me to face my own fears and not let them stop me from having fun because life is short and it is important to live it to the fullest.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was at the end when Catrina finally set her fears aside and faced the ghosts for her sister, who couldn’t be there herself, but mainly herself. Cat had been prepared to hide away and not leave the house all night, rather than go with her friends to the Day of the Dead party. However, Maya was determined to not let Cat make the mistake of not going and somehow managed to convince Cat to go. It took her a while to get comfortable there, but finally Cat was able to let her fear of ghosts and death go so that she could enjoy the party just like everyone else. I really enjoyed this part of the book because it taught me that my fears are what are stopping me from living my life to the best I possibly could and if I didn’t face them, I would always be living my life in a box, not reaching my full potential as I should if I let my fears go and chose to enjoy a fearless, happy life. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Ghosts was a really incredible book and I really loved reading it. One thing that I really loved about it was how it began to consider big topics that a lot of us always think about, like death and the afterlife and what it is like to die. I really liked this because it was really easy to relate to what Maya wanted – to know what it was like to die and what would happen. Everyone has thought about this at least a few times in life and I really liked how I was able to explore one possibility of what may happen after we die (becoming ghosts). Another thing that I really liked about the novel was how it mixed reality with fantasy and superstitions. Death is a reality and it’s something that will happen to us all one day, hopefully after we have lead a long happy life. However, this isn’t always the case and it is extremely real that there are people whose life ends before they are able to truly live their life. Raina Telgemeier mixed this sad reality (represented through Maya) with the fantasy and superstition of becoming a ghost after you die and being able to continue leading a good life (as a dead ghost). This made death a little less scary and showed me that even if I die I will still have a chance to be happy (if this superstition is true). Ghosts was a really incredible graphic novel and I just adored reading it. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I recommend reading this book, especially for those who love some adventure and some superstition. It is a great read for anyone over 10 who struggles finding books fun and interesting to read.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An amazing, superstitious adventure.

Reviewed by Aldara Gutierrez Reviriego

DRAMA by Raina Telgemeier

“Callie loves theatre. And while she would totally try out for her middle school’s production of Moon over Mississippi, she can’t really sing. Instead she’s the set designer for the drama department’s stage crew, and this year she’s determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn’t know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen. And when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier!”

What is the book about?

Callie has always loved the theatre and, when she was a little girl, she dreamed of being on the stage someday, singing, dancing and acting. But soon she discovered that her dreams of stardom were impossible because she really can’t sing – she has no talent whatsoever. But soon she found her place, still in the theatre but rather than on stage, in the wings as part of the stage crew. This year, her school is planning the production of Moon over Mississippi and, though she would love to perform, she is a better fit backstage. She is determined that this play will be a complete success and that the set will be absolute perfection. But how can she achieve such a stunning, Broadway-worthy set when she doesn’t know how to do it, and there is drama on stage and off stage? Things are going crazy and somehow Callie must find a way to achieve success, despite all the drama. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As soon as Jimena (my sister), came into my room holding Drama I knew I immediately had to start reading the book and that I was going to absolutely love it. I had already read 3 other Raina Telgemeier graphic novels, so I knew that this one was going to be as much of a success as the other ones. After reading the blurb and looking at the cover, I began to have a few doubts about the book because it wasn’t like the other ones I had read. I wasn’t entirely sure it was going to be as good as the Smile series, but I was still confident I was going to enjoy it. Finally, I started to read the novel and soon I was nearing the end, finding the book just as faced-paced and interesting as the previous 3 I had read by Raina Telgemeier. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Callie because of her self-confidence. She didn't care about what anyone else thought of her and she did whatever she wanted without caring about whether or not people would judge her. She was herself all the time and found friends that she could count on and could be her true self around. I really loved all this confidence she had in herself because it made me believe a little more in myself and made me think that maybe it wouldn't be that difficult for me to be a little more confident in myself. I care too much about what others think and Callie showed me that I can be myself and, even if other people judge me, I shouldn't care because it doesn't matter what they think it only matters what I think. Callie really showed me that I matter and no one should take that away from me. I hope that I can now take what I learnt from her and put it to use.  

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

This was a really hard decision to make because no part of the story really stood out to me very much, but I think that my favourite part is possibly when Callie manages to encourage people to buy more tickets and literally saves the day. I really enjoyed this part because Callie had spent so long working on  the cannon to make it work and she tried her absolute hardest to make sure that the production could be its very best and she was not about to give up when  she found out that ticket sales were down. A lot of people were discouraged and wanted to just give up, but not Callie, and when her hard work paid off she knew that giving up was never the answer.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Drama was a very incredible graphic novel, which I enjoyed immensely, though it wasn’t as good as the Smile series. One thing that I really enjoyed about the book was the flashback. Flashbacks are something that I find make a book 10 times better and, as soon as I read one, (as long as it’s well placed and relevant) I know I will really enjoy the book. I know that there was only a single flashback and it was extremely short, but it added some lovely backstory and it made the novel so much better. Another thing that I really liked about the book was how there wasn’t a single moment where I found myself bored. The plot was literally just a flow from one piece of drama into the next, with a few moments of resolution in between to keep the story going. I tend to find books so boring, but not Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novels! One last thing I would like to mention is that there is one little thing that I would want to add to the book: some sort of more impactful and noticeable message to take from the book. I know that there is a subtle message to keep inspiring and get inspired, and also to never give up on your dreams, even if they have to change a little to achieve them. But I feel like I wasn’t really able to feel it and it would have been nice to maybe develop the story a bit more and possibly put a deeper message in. However, Drama was an amazing book and I really enjoyed the adventure I went on. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend the book as it was incredibly fast-paced and perfect for people who normally find books boring. It is a great read, especially for readers over 10 who enjoy a bit of comedy, drama and a sprinkling of romance.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A graphic novel full of drama, comedy and romance.

Reviewed by Aldara Gutierrez Reviriego