These Violent Delights
#1 in Secret Shanghai Series
on Goodreads (160,470)
What’s inside...
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 helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang—a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal. But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns—and grudges—aside and work together, for if they can’t stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule. Perfect for fans of The Last Magician and Descendant of the Crane, this heart-stopping debut is an imaginative Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920s Shanghai, with rival gangs and a monster in the depths of the Huangpu River.
Character compass
Juliette Cai
Rosalind Lang
Kathleen Lang
Benedikt Montagov
Marshall Seo
Roma Montagov
Tyler Cai
Alisa Montagova
Discussion points
How do you think the setting of 1920s Shanghai influences the characters' actions and decisions?
What similarities and differences can you see between the rival gangs in the story and modern-day conflicts?
The book blends historical elements with fantasy. Which aspect did you find more engaging, and why?
Discuss the concept of loyalty as portrayed in the novel. What does loyalty mean to you?
How do the characters confront their personal and family expectations? Can you relate to any of their experiences?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about how history and culture shape our actions by discussing the unique setting of the story.
Use parallels between the book’s conflicts and current events to help your child connect with the material on a deeper level.
Highlight the blending of genres in the book and ask your child which elements keep them most engaged, fostering a deeper appreciation for literary styles.
Explore the theme of loyalty with your child by sharing personal stories about what loyalty means in your own lives.
Discuss personal and family expectations with your child, relating them to the characters' struggles to help your child process and articulate their own experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of peace over violence
Explanation: Throughout 'These Violent Delights,' the characters confront the destruction that their feuding families have caused. This illustrates the devastation that ongoing conflict can bring to communities.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of resolving conflicts amicably rather than through aggression, promoting harmony in their interactions with others.
Example Lesson: The power of love and unity
Explanation: Despite coming from rival families, the protagonists, Roma and Juliette, find strength in their love for each other, symbolizing the unifying power of love over division and hatred.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to look past superficial differences and to forge connections based on mutual respect and understanding.
Example Lesson: The consequences of personal and collective actions
Explanation: The novel challenges its characters to consider the effects of their decisions not only on themselves but also on the larger community, emphasizing a deeper sense of responsibility.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the impact of their actions on their surroundings, encouraging them to think critically about how they influence the world around them.
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of adversity
Explanation: Characters in the book often have to make tough choices and stand up for what they believe in, despite the dangers they face. This highlights the virtue of courage and moral integrity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to exhibit bravery and stand up for their principles, even when it is difficult, fostering a strong moral character.
Example Lesson: The importance of questioning societal norms
Explanation: The protagonists challenge the long-standing feud between their families and question the grounds of inherited conflicts, encouraging critical thinking about societal beliefs.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to think critically about conventional wisdom and to form their own informed opinions, rather than blindly following tradition.