{DNF Review} These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

Page Count:  449

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Published on: November 17, 2020

Genres: YA fantasy, romance, retellings

Amazon // Indie Bound // Barnes & Noble // Better World Books

April 22-26

Rating: DNF 

TW/CW: blood depiction, gore, violence, death, murder, loss of a loved one, disease/contagious contagions, discussions surrounding communism, transphobia, drug use and addiction, suicide, colonization, & racism (and microaggressions) 

(EDIT:) TW/CW cont'd: discussion/mention of human trafficking and kidnapping, loss of a pet, and there are creepy insects!
(Thank you Melanie [meltotheany] for the complete list!)

~ ~ ~

Goodreads synopsis: 

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.

~ ~ ~

Hey, all!

I, unfortunately, DNF'd this novel at 33% (about 150 pages in).

I'm so sad that I didn't enjoy this book. It was getting to the point where my brain wanted to read, but I couldn't stay focused on the book because of my lack of connection to the story. I really wanted to like this book. I love Chloe Gong's presence online and I think she's a delight, but her writing style just wasn't for me.

I'm the kind of reader that adores character-driven novels. I love the emotions and depth that different characters from different upbringings and backgrounds can bring to a story. However, this book just didn't do it for me.

I liked the ideas of the characters. I just didn't like the execution of their personalities.

- It just felt like Juliette was constantly painted as this badass character, but it was just telling. The showing aspect just didn't happen. It just felt forced and lackluster. She kept doing things that were pretty badass, but then she'd turn around and do something really dumb and oblivious that a trained person wouldn't have done.

-Roma was just boring to me. Maybe it was just because I hadn't gotten to the meat of his character, but I really just didn't care about him at all.

I really liked the atmosphere of this story. The overall themes were shaping up to be done quite well, but it's really the characters that keep me reading their story. I just didn't care about what was happening to them. I really wanted to though.

This book also is #ownvoices for the Chinese representation. It also has a wonderful side character that is a trans girl and there is a budding m/m relationship between men who are Chinese and Korean.

Within the first 150 pages, I could tell that colonialization would play a massive part of the story. That's probably what kept me pushing forward. I loved those aspects of the story. However, I'm probably just going to watch or read a spoiler-y review to see what happens. In the book, Juliette felt like a foreigner in her own country. That speaks VOLUMES. The fact that her own people made her feel more Americanized and different just because she was sent away for an American education and to keep her safe from the violence in her country is just so heartbreaking.

The setting, the gangster vibes, and the themes in this book were everything, but I couldn't connect with the slow pacing and the characters.

I know that so many readers have absolutely adored this book. Please give it a try if it's been peaking your interest. My brain has been in a weird place lately and my mental health has honestly caused me to dislike books that I /thought/ I would adore. Chloe Gong brings so much to the book community and so many other readers adore this book. Please definitely give it a chance!

Let's discuss in the comments! 

Happy reading!

Olivia 

~ Liv the Book Nerd ~

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{Blog Tour} An EXCERPT of Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield!

 

Welcome back to Liv the Book Nerd! 

Today I have the pleasure of bringing you an excerpt of the newly released Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield! This book has already received so many lovely reviews and I'm already obsessed as I start reading it for myself. 

"This is an excellent examination of the ways wealth, gender, and color can shape and at times create mental and emotional fractures. Verdict: A great title for public and high school libraries looking for books that offer a ­nuanced look at patriarchy, wealth, and gender dynamics." 

—School Library Journal (starred review)

"Bromfield may have made a name for herself for her role on Riverdale, but with this debut, about a volatile father-daughter relationship and discovering the ugly truths hidden beneath even the most beautiful facades, she is establishing herself as a promising writer...this is a must." 

—Booklist (starred review)

Synopsis: 

Tilla has spent her entire life trying to make her father love her. But every six months, he leaves their family and returns to his true home: the island of Jamaica.

When Tilla’s mother tells her she’ll be spending the summer on the island, Tilla dreads the idea of seeing him again, but longs to discover what life in Jamaica has always held for him.

In an unexpected turn of events, Tilla is forced to face the storm that unravels in her own life as she learns about the dark secrets that lie beyond the veil of paradise—all in the midst of an impending hurricane.

Hurricane Summer is a powerful coming of age story that deals with colorism, classism, young love, the father-daughter dynamic—and what it means to discover your own voice in the center of complete destruction.

On-sale: May 4, 2021!

Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Indiebound // iBooks

Bookshop.org

Add to Goodreads

About the Author:

Asha Bromfield is an actress, singer, and writer of Afro-Jamaican descent. She is known for her role as Melody Jones, drummer of Josie and the Pussycats in CW’s Riverdale. She also stars as Zadie Wells in Netflix’s hit show, Locke and Key. Asha is a proud ambassador for the Dove Self-Esteem Project, and she currently lives in Toronto where she is pursuing a degree in Communications. In her spare time, she loves studying astrology, wearing crystals, burning sage, and baking vegan desserts. Hurricane Summer is her debut novel.

Twitter @ashabrom

Instagram @ashabrom

E X C E R P T

2

We touch down at 1:46 p.m. local time.

Warm air floods the plane as the doors open, and the sweet aroma of fruit wafts in the air. Passengers race to grab their bags as the thick accent comes over the PA once again:

“Ladiez and gentle-mon, welcome to Kingston, Jamaica. It iz a beautiful day here on the island, and we wish you nothing but irie on your travels. It has been our pleasure to have you on board. As always, thank you for flying Air Jamaica.”

I gently shake Mia awake as Patois begins to pour out all around us. I grab our backpacks from the cabin, and we throw them over our shoulders before trudging off the plane.

As we make our way through the busy airport, we are sur- rounded by a sea of rich, dark skin. I feel courageous as we navigate through the brown and black bodies, and I can’t help but wonder if the feeling of belonging is why Dad loves it so much here.

Once we clear at customs, we continue our trek through the massive airport. All around us, people smile and laugh, and there is a mellowness to their pace. Most of the women wear bright colors and intricate braids in their hair, Afros, or long locks down their backs. An array of sandals and flip-flops highlight all the bright painted toenails as Mia and I weave through the crowd.

“Stay close!” I yell, grabbing on to her hand. When we find the exit, I grow nervous knowing what awaits us on the other side. I look to Mia. “You have everything?”

She nods.

“Okay,” I whisper to myself. “Let’s do this.”

With our suitcases lugging behind us, we spill out of the doors and into the hot sun. The heat immediately consumes me, and it is amplified by the chaos and noise that surrounds us. The streets are packed. Loud horns blare, and people yell back and forth in thick, heavy Patois accents. Men argue on the side of the road, their dialect harsh as they negotiate the rates for local shuttle buses. Along the roads, merchants sell colorful beaded jewelry and fruit so ripe that I can taste it in the air. Women wear beautiful head wraps and sell plantains and provisions, bartering back and forth with eager travelers. People spew out of overcrowded taxis, desperate to catch their flights as others hop in, desperate to get home. The sun pierces my skin as the humidity and gas fumes fill my lungs. The action is overwhelming, and I feel like a fish out of water. As we wait by the curb, there is no sight of our father.

“What if he forgot?” Mia asks.

“He wouldn’t,” I reply. “Mom just talked to him.” “What if he got the time mixed up?”

“He’ll be here.”

But the truth is, when it comes to our father, I can never be sure.

I fight with this idea as five minutes turn into ten, and ten into twenty. The heat blazes, and sweat drips down my stomach. I check my watch: forty-two minutes.

I pull my pink hoodie over my head to reveal a white tank top, tying the hoodie around

my waist to better manage the heat. Without my phone, I have no way of contacting him to see where he is.

But he said he’d be here. He gave us his word.

Fifty-six minutes later, our father is nowhere to be found. My eyes frantically search the crowd as I ponder how much his word is truly worth. Time and time again, he has proven that the answer is not much. I turn to Mia, ready to tell her to head back inside. Worry graces her face for the first time since we left. Her carefree attitude fades as the concern of a nine-year-old takes over. I can’t stand to see her like this, and I’ll do whatever it takes to escape the feeling that is bubbling inside of me.

We’ll take the first plane out.

“Mi, Dad’s not coming. Let’s go back insid—”

“Yow! Tilla!” A deep voice interrupts me mid-sentence. I whip my head around to find my father standing a few feet away with two freshly sliced pineapple drinks in hand. “Daddy!” Mia screams. She drops her things on the curb and sprints toward him. My heart does somersaults.

One glimpse of my father and I am a child again.

~ ~ ~

Who else is completely intrigued? I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks of this book! Comment down below with your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Olivia

~ Liv the Book Nerd ~
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{Review} The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

Page Count: 368

Publisher: Ace

Release Date:  July 21, 2020

Genre(s): Horror, Fantasy, Paranormal

Amazon // Indie Bound // Barnes & Noble // 

Better World Books

April 15 - April 21

Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

A young woman living in a rigid, puritanical society discovers dark powers within herself in this stunning, feminist fantasy debut.

In the lands of Bethel, where the Prophet’s word is law, Immanuelle Moore’s very existence is blasphemy. Her mother’s union with an outsider of a different race cast her once-proud family into disgrace, so Immanuelle does her best to worship the Father, follow Holy Protocol, and lead a life of submission, devotion, and absolute conformity, like all the other women in the settlement.

But a mishap lures her into the forbidden Darkwood surrounding Bethel, where the first prophet once chased and killed four powerful witches. Their spirits are still lurking there, and they bestow a gift on Immanuelle: the journal of her dead mother, who Immanuelle is shocked to learn once sought sanctuary in the wood.

Fascinated by the secrets in the diary, Immanuelle finds herself struggling to understand how her mother could have consorted with the witches. But when she begins to learn grim truths about the Church and its history, she realizes the true threat to Bethel is its own darkness. And she starts to understand that if Bethel is to change, it must begin with her.

~ ~ ~

TW/CW: rape, assault, sexual assault of a minor, racism, self-harm (used for magic and spiritual rituals), blood, gore, described violence, bigotry, racism, & classicism

If you guys know me, and my reading choices -- you've probably picked up that I hardly read horror, mystery, or thrillers. It's a rare occurrence and when I do read them, I like them to be primarily fantasy-based. That's my cup of tea. 

When I first saw this book promoted by some of my favorite bookish creators, I had to check it out for myself. 

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson (Audiobook Excerpt)

Riley Marie's Reading Vlog

Neek's Review & Discussion

The Year of the Witching follows Immanuelle Moore in the lands of Bethel. A Puritan-like society where the people of Bethel worship a version of the Christian doctrine and god, follow a prophesying man called The Prophet -- all in the hopes of living according to the Holy Protocol and living in favor of their holy father. Immanuelle is born from a "blasphemous" relationship between her mother and an outsider of a different race. When her father is burned on the pyre, her mother seeks revenge through the dark arts and with the aid of the witches of the Darkforest. 

The Year of the Witching is a haunting, atmospheric story full of intense themes that can inspire so many influential conversations and discussions about misogyny, bigotry, love, religion, racism, spirituality, revenge and hatred, and what it means to be a woman in a misogynistic society. This book was so intense at moments. There were many moments that could be called predictable, but I'm honestly not mad about that. This book was set up and plotted incredibly well. The writing was impeccable and I didn't want to put this book down. I was completely hooked within the first moments of listening and reading. 

I've always loved stories that play with religion and the dynamics that come from warped and cult-like followings. You can usually find me researching cults and watching mini-documentaries from survivors that escaped from cults. If you're also one who is interested in those topics, I think you'd really like this book. 

I also really loved the witch elements and the magic that came from those aspects of the story. It really added another layer of creativity and intensity to the story

I fully expected gorier horror elements, but was so delighted to find this book to be more fantastical. Don't get me wrong, it was definitely gory and horrifying at times, but it had much more magic than I anticipated. The darkness that progressively came to the forefront of the story is always present in the novel. It was so enthralling and -- ahh! -- the writing was just so fantastic. I cannot gush about it nearly enough.  

This book was so excellent. I think that it was more of a fantasy novel than a horror novel, but that didn't stop me from completely devouring the story. I think this will be a new favorite for so many readers and I can't wait for this book and the author to gain more traction in the reading community. I can't wait to push this book into the hands of my friends. 

If you enjoyed:

• Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (for the horror & darker elements)
• Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (for the atmospheric vibes and magical elements)
• The Shades of Magic trilogy by VE Schwab (for the addicting, magical, and dark elements)
• The City of Brass by SA Chakraborty (for the magic & atmosphere!)
• Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin (for the religious aspects & witchy bits)
• The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (for the feminism! and dark aspects)

(These are just my connections for the way I read the book and how I interpreted it. These recommendations do not encompass all connecting recommendations. I’m not as well versed in the horror genre or the sub-genres. I can count on my fingers how many horror novels I’ve read. I’m sure there are more recommendations out there too!)

If you enjoy ___ you will enjoy The Year of the Witching!

• Hella dark stories with intense themes and discussions
• Narratives about trauma
• Cults
• Stories based on radicalized religions & the discussions that can come from those settings
• Feminism!
• Witches — the spooky, dark kind
• The Salem Witch Trials

(Again, this doesn’t even fully begin to cover all the elements I loved or that you could possibly love.)

Let's discuss in the comments! If you decide to pick this story up, please let me know what you think of it in the comments as well!

Happy reading!

Olivia
~ Liv the Book Nerd ~

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April 2021 Reading Wrap Up

Hey, it's May!

April was a fairly good reading month for me. I enjoyed the majority of what I read and it really feels like I'm getting back to myself again. Expect more frequent posts and activity on my bookstagram! 

This month, I read 8 books and DNFd one book. I also discovered a new favorite author, bought way too many books, and I got closer with more people. I'm also so much closer to getting married in September! Time is flying!

What did you read this month?

 A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

3.5 stars

I picked this book up on a whim when my audio hold became available through my library and Libby. I quite enjoyed this book, but there were a few issues that I had with it. My full review is officially live though, so please give it a read. 

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

5 stars

This has to be my favorite of the month and probably a new favorite book of all time. This book was absolutely charming and everything I could have hoped for. I'm so obsessed. Definitely check out my full review! 

Only When Its Us by Chloe Liese

3 stars

This romance novel was recommended to me by my friend Jill. She actually gifted me the ebook via Kindle. Once I got the book, she set me on a reading deadline so that I would finish it before we got together with some friends. This book was really fun, but it wasn't my favorite romance of all time. I really liked the idea of the characters, but the voices of the characters just didn't seem differentiated enough and it took me out of the story as I tried to read it. Overall, I really liked this book and I plan on continuing on with the series this year. I really like the premises of the next few books in the Bergman series. 

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

4.25 stars

Another new book that I adored! This book was the perfect amount of spooky, feminist, speculative, fantastical, and terrifying. The radical religious aspects combined with the witchy fantasy were just so much fun. I'm very excited to see what Alexis Henderson does next. My review will be going up very soon!

Seance Tea Party by Reimena Yee

5 stars

This middle-grade graphic novel made me absolutely bawl like a baby. It focuses on grief, closure, and moving on from hardships, and growing from the feelings it can cause. I am so glad that I bought this graphic novel this month because it was something I absolutely needed to read. Grief has been a big part of my life for the past two years and moving on from losing someone is such a hard thing to process. It can take the rest of your life to move past losing someone to death. Books like this one really help the process. I cannot recommend it enough. 

Pilu of the Woods by Mai K. Nguyen

4 stars

Another delightful read! The end of April and the beginning of May have been shaping into a marathon of graphic novels and manga volumes. I'm not mad about it either. 

Pilu of the Woods is a delightful story that centers on personal demons, negative emotions, and positive growth. With its focus on nature and the natural processes of growth in the natural world, this book is full of beautiful artwork that helps its readers learn more about personal demons and troubles that can cause them to act out or against those who are trying to help you through your trials of growth.  This graphic novel is shorter and is intended for middle-grade audiences, but I think anyone would enjoy the story it has to tell. It beautifully touches on themes that all children would benefit from learning about (grief, mental illness, anger management, friendship, family). It was absolutely precious. Please read it. 

The Black Bull of Norroway (Norroway #1) by Cat and Kit Seaton

3 stars & a reread

Back in 2018 I read this graphic novel and I fell in love with the art style, the story, and I was so interested in what would come from the story. However, upon rereading this month, I'm not sure what I thought I was reading because this story was a mess. The writing was messy, the plot was so strangely knitted together, and I really lost interest. I was really hopeful for book 2 too.

The Queen of the High Mountain (Norroway #2) by Cat and Kit Seaton

2 stars

This was a major letdown. It was just as messy and the plot just didn't make sense. I know that this book tends to delve into the psychological trauma that each character has faced because of the events of book 1, but I really felt like the actual story was all over the place. The plot lines weren't fully fleshed out and there was just so much missing for me. I think that there is going to be a book three, but I really wish the story had just been wrapped up and finished. Lots of people loved it online, though, so maybe I just wasn't the right audience. 

((DNF)) These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

DNF'd at 33% -- I'll be posting my full review up on here soon, but if you're interested in reading my thoughts now, it's prematurely posted on Goodreads.

Reading Statistics: 

Pages read: 2,520

Average page length: 280

 My Average Rating: 3.3 stars

Favorite: The House in the Cerulean Sea

What did you read this month? Let's discuss in the comments! Happy reading!

Olivia

~ Liv the Book Nerd ~ 

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