the stars incline us, they do not bind us (a playlist) - these violent delights

Featuring selections of chinese and western orchestral music, this bookish playlist will take you to the world of These Violent Delights, a Romeo and Juliet retelling set in 1920’s Shanghai.

About the Book: These Violent Delights Duology by Chloe Gong

The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery.

A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. At the heart of it all is eighteen-year-old Juliette Cai, a former flapper who has returned to assume her role as the proud heir of the Scarlet Gang—a network of criminals far above the law. Their only rivals in power are the White Flowers, who have fought the Scarlets for generations. And behind every move is their heir, Roma Montagov, Juliette’s first love…and first betrayal.

But when gangsters on both sides show signs of instability culminating in clawing their own throats out, the people start to whisper. Of a contagion, a madness. Of a monster in the shadows. As the deaths stack up, Juliette and Roma must set their guns—and grudges—aside and work together, for if they can’t stop this mayhem, then there will be no city left for either to rule.

Books in the Series
↳ These Violent Delights (Book #1)
↳ Our Violent Ends (Book #2)

A note from me: A lot of people are familiar with European composers when it comes to orchestral pieces, but the Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto by Chen Gang and He Zhanhao, one of the most famous Chinese works of orchestral music, has long been one of my favorites. I thought it fit well with the story and world of These Violent Delights, and have included a few movements from the concerto in this classical playlist - hope you enjoy!

“Astra inclinant, sed non obligant: The stars incline us, they do not bind us.”

Timestamps can be found in the comments section.

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Disclaimer: This playlist includes a selection of edited tracks. It is for the purpose of entertainment and is not monetized. No copyright infringement intended. All rights belong to their respective owners.

Genre: these violent delights, our violent ends, chloe gong, ya fantasy, booktok, booktube, chinese classical playlist, reading playlist, bookish music