Reinterpreting classic William Shakespeare plays within vivid historical and fantasy settings has become a defining hallmark of contemporary speculative fiction. New Zealand novelist Chloe Gong made a significant impact on young adult literature with her 2020 debut novel These Violent Delights, a 1920s Shanghai adaptation of Romeo and Juliet that reached the top of the New York Times bestseller list. Her expanding body of work spans young adult historical fantasy, adult romantic fantasy, and science fiction published in over twenty countries.
Career & Background
Born in Shanghai, China, in 1998, Chloe Gong relocated to Auckland, New Zealand, with her family at two years old. She began writing fiction during her teenage years and drafted her debut novel at age nineteen while attending the University of Pennsylvania. She graduated in 2021 with a double major in English and International Relations, academic disciplines that directly informed her focus on political intrigue, rival factions, and complex worldbuilding.
Following her breakout debut, Gong achieved critical and commercial success, winning New Zealand's Sir Julius Vogel Award in 2021 and being named to Forbes's 30 Under 30 list for 2024. Her novels have been featured in major outlets including The New York Times, PEOPLE, and Cosmopolitan. Now based in New York City, Gong continues to write across speculative genres, expanding from her Secret Shanghai novels into her Flesh and False Gods trilogy and science fiction projects.
Writing Style & Themes
Gong's narrative style blends fast-paced action, political tension, and high-stakes romantic conflict. Drawing inspiration from classical drama—most notably Shakespearean tragedies like Romeo and Juliet and Antony and Cleopatra—she reimagines iconic stories within high-concept fantasy settings marked by gang rivalries, urban intrigue, and dangerous magic. Her writing frequently explores themes of duty, power dynamics, moral ambiguity, and the personal sacrifices required when personal loyalties collide with political agendas.
Major Works
- These Violent Delights — Set in 1920s Shanghai, this 2020 debut novel reimagines Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet amid blood feuds, rival gangs, and a deadly monster threatening the city.
- Immortal Longings — Gong's adult fantasy debut and the first book in the Flesh and False Gods trilogy, drawing inspiration from Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra for a story centered on a ruthless, high-stakes competition.
- A RomaJuliette Christmas Special — A holiday release set within the Secret Shanghai universe, offering readers an extra scene featuring fan-favorite characters Roma and Juliette.
