“She would rather die at Roma’s hand than be the cause of his death.”
Our Violent Ends brings us back into the world of Roma and Juliette, and the blood feud that’s tearing Shanghai in two. After the events of These Violent Delights, the tension and hatred between Roma and Juliette is stronger than ever as Roma seeks revenge on Juliette. However, whilst all hope seems lost for the couple of young enemies-lovers, the appearance of new monsters and a country on the brink of a Civil War will force them to work together again.
In the second and final installment, Juliette and Roma’s relationship has this constant push and pull dynamic between them that’s just immaculate, more so than in the first book. There really is an equal chance for them to kiss or kill each other and one can’t never truly know which one it will be and Chloe Gong wrote this ever so brilliantly heightening the overall narrative of the story. As for the rest of the characters there’s not a lot that can be said without spoiling the book but everyone’s arcs and character development are extremely well done. And whilst the conflict plays a huge part in the story, the characters are truly what drive the book.
With this being the conclusion to the story, there was anticipation to see how the author would create a new danger after the one from the first book and the result did not disappoint. The unveiling of new monsters and the intrigue behind who was controlling them this time was definitely interesting. But there’s also the danger that comes with Shanghai being overrun by colonials who just want to gain control over everything and everyone in the city.
And the truth is that in Our Violent Ends it’s just solidified that 1920s Shanghai is the perfect setting for this story. Once again, the politics, the imperialistic colonialism critique and the socioeconomic aspects are very well written and portrayed. This setting is very culturally specific and very important in terms of political conflict. The fight between Communists and Nationalists supported by foreigners just heightens the tension between the rival gangs in this story which find themselves intertwined in this political war. And out of their own interests, Montagovs and Cais alike will have to join forces or else there will just not be more people left to rule over. However loyalties are ever changing and they keep being tested throughout the book. Every single character can be doubted and the reader can never place where a character truly stands until the truth unfolds.
Gong really knows how to keep her readers hooked from the start. The fast paced and action packed plot, intriguing storyline—although messy at times—and the way the character’s arcs unfold are truly captivating and will keep the readers guessing until the very last page. What’s also great about this re-telling is that it honours the source material without being an exact copy of it, and while you definitely get the main aspects of Romeo and Juliet, it’s also a story that stands on its own and a version of the Shakespeare tale that can’t possibly be anticipated by looking at the original. The twists and turns that this conclusion offers will catch everyone off-guard.
With Our Violent Ends, Gong offers the perfect conclusion to this Romeo and Juliet retelling that will destroy everyone emotionally. An epic, urgent, and dynamic finale that overall reminds us that daring to love may just be the bravest thing we can ever do.
Our Violent Ends is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of November 16th, 2021.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
The year is 1927, and Shanghai teeters on the edge of revolution.
After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from the blood feud, Juliette has been a girl on the warpath. One wrong move, and her cousin will step in to usurp her place as the Scarlet Gang’s heir. The only way to save the boy she loves from the wrath of the Scarlets is to have him want her dead for murdering his best friend in cold blood. If Juliette were actually guilty of the crime Roma believes she committed, his rejection might sting less.
Roma is still reeling from Marshall’s death, and his cousin Benedikt will barely speak to him. Roma knows it’s his fault for letting the ruthless Juliette back into his life, and he’s determined to set things right —even if that means killing the girl he hates and loves with equal measure.
Then a new monstrous danger emerges in the city, and though secrets keep them apart, Juliette must secure Roma’s cooperation if they are to end this threat once and for all. Shanghai is already at a boiling point: The Nationalists are marching in, whispers of civil war brew louder every day, and gangster rule faces complete annihilation. Roma and Juliette must put aside their differences to combat monsters and politics, but they aren’t prepared for the biggest threat of all: protecting their hearts from each other.
