These Violent Delights Audiobook - Violent Ends, Book 1

Summary

Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey through the pages of this captivating audiobook. Whether you’re an avid reader or a newcomer to the world of audiobooks, this unique listening experience is sure to leave a lasting impression. With a perfect blend of engaging storytelling and skilled narration, this audiobook transports you into a realm where the boundaries between reality and fantasy seamlessly blur.

Audiobook Info

Author: Chloe Gong
Narrator: Cindy Kay
Duration: 11 hours and 13 minutes
Publisher: Listening Library
Release Date: January 5, 2021

Review

From its very first chapter, These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong sweeps listeners into a lush, volatile Shanghai – where jazz-age glamour collides with deadly gang rivalries and supernatural intrigue. What makes this audiobook truly unforgettable is Cindy Kay’s masterful narration; her emotive performance becomes the golden thread weaving together every facet of this tumultuous tale.

Kay’s approach to voicing Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov – the fierce heirs to warring gangs – is nothing short of captivating. She instills each character with distinct vocal nuances: Juliette’s steely resolve pulses beneath her words, while Roma’s conflicted vulnerability lingers in every line. Even secondary characters are given unique timbres and personalities, making the underbelly of Gong’s Shanghai feel teeming and real. Kay’s pacing mirrors the story’s tension perfectly – slowing during moments heavy with forbidden longing or family loyalty, then quickening as danger closes in.

Chloe Gong reimagines Shakespeare’s classic tragedy with dazzling originality. The vibrant setting isn’t just background; it breathes alongside the protagonists – a city divided not only by blood but also by modernity versus tradition. The vivid descriptions of opulent ballrooms and shadowed alleys create an immersive atmosphere that shines in audio format. Listeners will find themselves pulled into smoky opium dens one moment, then swept onto glistening dance floors the next – all rendered viscerally through Gong’s prose and Kay’s voice.

The plot itself brims with suspense thanks to a mysterious illness haunting Shanghai – a supernatural twist that adds urgency and dread to already high-stakes drama. Gong’s skillful blend of historical fiction and dark fantasy keeps listeners guessing while exploring themes like identity, loyalty, and the painful beauty of love amid chaos. Juliette and Roma aren’t mere echoes of Romeo and Juliet; they are complex individuals wrestling with personal desires against collective duty.

While some may find the pacing deliberate at times or the social commentary intense, these elements serve to enrich rather than detract from the narrative depth. Instead of shying away from difficult questions about power or belonging, These Violent Delights embraces them fully – making for a deeply rewarding listen.

In sum, this audiobook is both a fresh homage to Shakespearean tragedy and an enthralling tale in its own right. It stands out for its atmospheric world-building, multifaceted characters, and above all Cindy Kay’s evocative performance – which transforms Gong’s words into living history.

Download & Listen

If you’re craving an immersive escape into roaring twenties Shanghai – with unforgettable characters caught between love, loyalty, and monstrous threats – These Violent Delights will deliver in spades. Experience Cindy Kay’s mesmerizing narration as she brings Chloe Gong’s cinematic vision vividly to life. Don’t miss your chance: download These Violent Delights today from KTAudiobooks.com and let yourself be swept away by this electrifying tale of passion and peril!

Status: Completed Version: Unabridged Genre: Teen & Young Adult Author: Chloe Gong Narrator: Cindy Kay Updated: 21/11/2025 Series: Violent Ends Listening Time: 14 hrs and 14 mins