These Violent Delights is genuinely good YA fantasy—Chloe Gong can write, the premise is creative, and the 1920s Shanghai setting is lush and atmospheric. It's earned its bestseller status.
But let's be clear: this is not for 12-year-olds. The violence is graphic (throat-tearing, blood feuds, body counts), the language is rough, and the emotional landscape is dark. Common Sense Media, Plugged In, and actual teen reviewers all agree: 13-14 minimum, and honestly, 14+ is safer.
For high schoolers who love dark romance, Shakespeare adaptations, or historical fantasy? This is a win. It's got literary value, cultural depth, and the kind of star-crossed angst that teens eat up. Just make sure your reader is ready for the intensity—this isn't Twilight-level violence, it's closer to Hunger Games territory with a Romeo and Juliet twist.






