Thank you Hachette for this book in exchange for an honest review
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
Review:
As someone who isn’t a fan or Romeo and Juliet at all (ewww romance) I am soooo glad that I read this book!!
Can we chat about the bad ass character that 2020 needed? Why yessss. Juliette Cai! Cai is the heiress of the Scarlet Gang, who speaks multiple languages, doesn’t give a shit what anyone things and is a strong female that I really needed. Cai has just returned from New York city where she completed her education to find that her cousin Tyler, has tried to prove himself a worthy heir of the Scarlet Gang.
We meet the Romeo of the story, Roma, who is the heir to The White Flowers, a rival Russian gang but also Juliette’s first love. Roma seems to fit that tough guy requirements of a gang but on the inside, he is a marshmallow and is trying to deal with the drama that is his family life.
Not only was this book brilliant because it had minimal romance, MINIMAL ROMANCE!!! It was a well written tale with two bold characters that break down the old stereotypes that were Romeo and Juliette! Trust me if this book isn’t on your tbr, then it damn well should be!
Rating: 5/5
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
ISBN: 9781534457690