Language: R (32 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (several innuendos, nothing on page); Violence: R (bloody, descriptive violence, including gun use)
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Shanghai in 1926 may look like all pleasure and glam but just below the surface it is a city divided by the blood feud between the Scarlet Gang and the White Flowers not to mention the strange sickness that has tainted the land. The Scarlet Gang- led by the Cai family has been in control over the city for generations and their heiress, Juliette Cai intends to keep it that way. Meanwhile the White Flowers have been slowly gaining traction- and have taken over at least half of the city and Roma Monatov- the heir of the White Flowers is willing to do whatever it takes for the greater good. With the strange sickness or Madness infecting the city Roma and Juliette must come together and investigate its cure before everyone they've ever loved succumbs to it.
I adore Romeo and Juliet as a classic and I love when authors twist this classic love tale but this specific retelling I found hard to grow fond of. I thought the characters had realism and life- it was nice to see a flawed main character and watch her grow. Alas, the plot was not as driven or inspired as I was hoping. I often found myself in ruts where I just had to push through this one chapter because nothing really happened. Also the world building was slightly confusing and I found myself wondering what time period/historical context the author wanted me to be in.
Kenzie Hoehne, Grade 11, Student Reviewer
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