New monsters terrorize Shanghai amid political upheaval and the reignition of the blood feud between the Chinese Scarlet Gang and the Russian White Flowers. The death of Marshall Seo unleashed a new wave of violence, but when a mysterious figure wielding control over more deadly-insect--releasing monsters begins extorting money from both gangs, their leaders agree to temporarily cooperate in the interests of eliminating a mutual foe. They order their respective heirs to find the blackmailer, and so, once again, Roma Montagov and Juliette Cai must work together for the benefit of those under their protection. But their feelings for each other--complicated by hidden truths, lingering love, and unforgiving duty--prove difficult to repress. Meanwhile, the time of revolution draws near: Workers continue to organize protests decrying both foreign occupation and gangster rule as the Nationalist Army marches toward Shanghai in its campaign to unite and reclaim the country. Secrets abound and loyalties are tested in this tightly plotted sequel featuring a multinational cast and told through multiple third-person perspectives, including those of supporting characters introduced in These Violent Delights (2020). Stubborn Rosalind, obliging Kathleen, and grief-stricken Benedikt all return to play vital roles that blend seamlessly into Roma's and Juliette's storylines as they each are forced to consider what it is they truly want and the lengths they will go to protect it. Star-crossed lovers carve their own paths in an explosive conclusion that lives up to its title. (Historical fantasy. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 8 Up--With the end of These Violent Delights, any peace that might have been found between the White Flowers and the Scarlet Gang has vanished, and Juliette Cai, heir to the Scarlet Gang, is entirely to blame. The year 1926 saw the monster stalking Shanghai killed, but 1927 isn't any more peaceful. The reignited blood feud between the city's rival gangs leaves bodies on the street every day. When Juliette's father gets a mysterious ransom note threatening more monsters if they don't pay up, they surrender the money. The White Flowers don't pay and their territory is attacked--except this monster is contained, controlled, and entirely under someone's command. With their positions as heirs under threat, Juliette and Roma, heir to the White Flowers, are forced to team up and follow their only lead into the French Concession. The nationalists and communists are on the verge of violent revolution, and Shanghai's gang rule is under threat from both parties, giving this exciting romantic adventure a charged political backdrop. Readers find themselves knowing more than Roma and his friends at the start of the novel, which builds conflict alongside action-packed fight scenes. As what were once subplots in book one begin to take center stage, the story offers increased trans and queer representation. The cast is primarily white and Chinese. VERDICT Gong neatly braids all her subplots into a tightly paced novel that balances a new mystery, a gang war, and romance, and drives it all to a satisfying conclusion. A first purchase for any collection.--Emmy Neal, Lake Forest Lib., IL

Following up the dramatic, Romeo and Juliet--inspired These Violent Delights (2020), Gong's sequel returns readers to the world of late 1920s Shanghai, as Juliette and Roma's star-crossed paths converge once again. Just as in Shakespeare's work, the lovers' story is rife with secrets and bloodshed, but underneath it all, Roma and Juliette are each hiding truths to save the other's life. Juliette is at risk of losing control over the Scarlet Gang, and Roma is seething over his cousin Marshall's murder, which he believes Juliette guilty of. When a new evil force rises in the city, the erstwhile lovers must work together to save those around them, all in the midst of political turmoil, civil war, gang violence, and monster attacks, and while brandishing dueling skills and dialogue as sharp as the daggers they keep on hand--just in case. Readers will delight in following the pair's adventures, seeing the relationship heal, and hoping that all will be confessed and revealed.