These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong, Read by Cindy Kay
Romeo and Juliet in 1920s Shanghai
Every Monday through Friday, AudioFile’s editors recommend the best in audiobook listening. We keep our daily episodes short and sweet, with audiobook clips to give you a sample of our featured listens.
Cindy Kay narrates These Violent Delights, a retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in the underworld of 1926 Shanghai, with a cool voice that matches the tone of the story. Host Jo Reed & AudioFile’s Emily Connelly discuss this captivating YA audiobook. Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov are members of opposing gangs who must work together to save their city from a horrifying new threat. Juliette is a fierce and angry young woman constantly defending her position in the Scarlet Gang, and Kay leans into the rage that Juliette experiences. Roma also faces threats to his role as the heir to the White Flower Gang, and listeners hear the weariness he feels. Roma and Juliette were in love years ago, before a betrayal tore them apart, and coming back together to discover the source of a madness sweeping the city brings up old feelings of longing. Read the full review of the audiobook.
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