These Violent Delights

By Chloe Gong

Hardback

Owlcrate

439 pages

YA 

Retelling/Re-envisioning 

A different take on Romeo and Juliet. In 1920's Shanghai. With monsters. 

The families are gangster families. 

It took me a long time to read this. I'm not entirely sure why - it was good. I think I've just been super busy. 

author info

Owlcrate edition was signed. 

The book is so pretty, and there is inside cover art. 

I love the notes from authors. 

There is a sequel planned. 

Fred the mermaid trilogy

Sleeping with the Fishes (268 pages)

Swimming Without a Net (271 pages)

Fish out of Water (270 pages)

All: 

By MaryJanice Davidson

paperback

Fiction (romance)

This was a fun little trilogy and a very quick read. I've read other books by the same author - she has a particular campy, humorous style that I enjoy. 

Book 1

Wherein we meet Fred, the hybrid mermaid working at an aquarium. Her best friend has the hits for her boss, and two attractive men come into her life at the same time, drawn by the same problem: water pollution in the bay. 

All that gets resolved, more or less. 

Book 2 

Wherein Fred meets other Undersea Folk (many if whom don't like her, because reasons involving her father) as they debate whether to reveal themselves to the world. 

That mostly gets resolved. 

Book 3

Wherein Fred is dealing with the repercussions of the Undersea Folk revealing themselves to the world, her dad swims back into town, and her best friend is planning a wedding. 

This whole series was a pleasant brain candy - a few deaths/murders, a couple of sex scenes. Mostly just some good fun and amusing storytelling.