Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Social unrest drives compelling fantasy/romance sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
OUR VIOLENT ENDS finds Roma and Juliette, heirs to rival gangs in 1920s Shanghai, forced to work together once again to save their city from plague-bringing monsters. But this time Roma can barely contain his fury at Juliette for the murder of his close friend Marshall. While the two try to find, and figure out how to destroy, the green-skinned monsters that cause so much death and destruction, the city of Shanghai is simmering with social and political unrest. Workers are striking, and Communists are vying with the Nationalists for control of the government. As civil war becomes more and more likely, the ruling gangs each try to ally themselves with the winning side. With real and drastic change looming on the horizon, will Roma and Juliette find a way to live and love in peace?
Is It Any Good?
This continuation of an epic love story set amid social upheaval in 1920s Shanghai is a compelling, page-turning revamp of the classic Romeo-and-Juliet romance. The monsters are definitely still out there, but Our Violent Ends focuses more on the chaos, double crosses, secrets, and lies that surround the rival gangs and the two political factions fighting for control of the city. Reading the two volumes in order is a must, since it's one story told in two parts with a large cast of well-developed characters. Teens who like a variety of genres will enjoy this effective blend of romance, fantasy, and historical fiction, whether they've read Romeo and Juliet or not.
Action, excitement, and intrigue share the pages with sweeping and epic change in the politics and society of Shanghai at the time, as well as with the inner workings of the two rival criminal gangs. Teens will relate to Roma and Juliette's frustration with the unending cycle of violence, and with having no voice in decisions that affect their lives. Some events are predictable, especially for readers familiar with the Shakespeare original, but they'll also have to keep guessing who's really working for whom. Some of the dialog is awkward and doesn't seem like how people really talk to each other, and the author's powers of description aren't as strong as in the first volume. But the ending does not disappoint.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Our Violent Ends. How much is too much? Is reading about it different from seeing it in movies, videos, or games?
A lot of students get introduced to Shakespeare via Romeo and Juliet. What makes it so timeless? Have you read or seen the play, or a movie adaptation? Which did you like the best?
Did you like the way the story blends different elements like romance, fantasy, and historical fiction? Why, or why not?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Margaret K. McElderry
- Publication date : November 16, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 512
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate