Picture a Shanghai-born, New Zealand-raised storyteller who reimagined Romeo and Juliet as a gangster saga in 1920s Shanghai—meet Chloe Gong! At just 23, this literary phenom skyrocketed to fame with her New York Times bestselling debut, These Violent Delights, blending romance, rivalry, and revolution in a dazzling historical fantasy that’s captivated readers worldwide.
Gong’s tales pulse with vibrant settings and star-crossed lovers, drawing from her multicultural roots and love for Shakespeare. Her ability to weave political intrigue, cultural identity, and heart-pounding drama has made her a standout voice in young adult fiction, proving age is no barrier to storytelling greatness.
The Making of Chloe Gong
Born on December 16, 1998, in Shanghai, Chloe Gong moved to Auckland, New Zealand, at age two. Raised on the North Shore, she grew up immersed in Chinese culture at home—speaking Shanghainese, cooking traditional dishes, and celebrating holidays—while embracing Kiwi life. By 13, Gong was scribbling novels on her iPad’s Notes app, devouring YA fantasy like The Mortal Instruments and dreaming up her own worlds. She later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2021, double-majoring in English and International Relations, fields that shaped her nuanced storytelling.
Chloe Gong’s Unforgettable Stories
Gong’s debut, These Violent Delights (2020), is a lush retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in a chaotic 1920s Shanghai torn by gang wars and colonialism. Juliette Cai, heir to the Scarlet Gang, and Roma Montagov, her rival and first love, battle a mysterious plague and their own fraught history. Its sequel, Our Violent Ends (2021), sealed the duology’s status as a global hit, landing at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.
Expanding her Secret Shanghai universe, Gong penned Foul Lady Fortune (2022), a spy thriller following immortal assassin Rosalind Lang in 1930s China, inspired by As You Like It. Her adult debut, Immortal Longings (2023), kicks off the Flesh and False Gods trilogy, reimagining Antony and Cleopatra in a gritty fantasy world. Gong’s style—vivid, cinematic, and layered with themes of identity and power—blends historical accuracy with fantastical twists, earning praise for its emotional depth and cultural resonance.
Her upcoming dystopian cyberpunk trilogy, starting with Coldwire, promises to explore modern politics in a futuristic setting, showcasing Gong’s genre-hopping versatility. Each work reflects her knack for crafting complex characters and immersive worlds that linger long after the final page.
Why Chloe Gong Matters
Chloe Gong has redefined young adult fiction by centering diverse, intersectional characters in epic narratives. Her stories resonate with readers navigating their own identities, especially in the diaspora, as she tackles themes like colonialism and inherited trauma with nuance. Named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in 2024, Gong’s influence extends beyond books—her TikTok presence (over 200,000 followers) fueled the BookTok craze, boosting These Violent Delights’ sales. By blending Shakespearean drama with Asian history, she’s carved a unique niche, inspiring a new generation of writers and readers.
- Born: December 16, 1998, Shanghai, China
- Key Works: These Violent Delights, Our Violent Ends, Foul Lady Fortune, Immortal Longings
- Awards: Best Youth Novel, 2021 Sir Julius Vogel Awards
- Fun Fact: Gong wrote nine manuscripts before her debut!
Ready to get swept away? Snag These Violent Delights and dive into Chloe Gong’s thrilling world of gangsters, romance, and revolution!