Reviews tagging 'War'

Viuda de hierro by Xiran Jay Zhao

797 reviews

katischr's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was such a good female rage read, and I loved that the FMC was straight up evil and made the worst possible choices at every turn, but damn did she do a lot of internal monologuing. I thought that the Iron Triangle was sweet and the world building was fun, and I can’t wait to see Wu Zetian be an even worse person in the next book!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, and War

Minor: Sexual content and Sexual violence

vatodd's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Finally a feminist lead book that delivers. So many are drowned by the romance plot the strong woman premise completely crumbs as it become clear the author or more likely their editor believed a female lead book would not be strong enough without a male as a large part of the story. This book knew how to strike a proper balance. A dynamic male love interest without it overshadowing the female lead or her non-male centered goals. It was exciting, emotional and powerful. A lot of books disappoint with a lack luster end. This on the other hand had a shining last chapter and epilogue. Looking forward to the rest of the series. Only reason it is not a 5 is there were points or unnecessary repetition in view points. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Violence, and War

lindseyhall44's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I’m not exactly sure how I feel about Iron Widow, so this review is subject to change. 

What I enjoyed:
-the ending was absolutely phenomenal, and it made me interested in continuing the series, despite my earlier hesitations 
-the combination of history(loose) in a sci-fi landscape 
-the polyamorous relationship( though I hope it’s expanded more in future books

What I felt was lacking 
- the character walks the fine line between powerful and difficult, which I thought was crossed a few times
-the plot felt a bit convulsed at times, with many things going on
-there was a bit of a lull in the middle before the final battle

All In all I do think this would appeal to fantasy lovers, and I would recommend picking it up if you are interested!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail

blandrew's review against another edition

Story did not catch my attention 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

noahhh_'s review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War

dreadspawn's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

im_basil's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

Darling and The Franxx meets The Hunger Games meets Ender’s Game meets historical Chinese Empress Wu, this story is Feminine Rage and Cultural Complications and ROBOT ALIENS, there is so much to unpack

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Murder, and War

Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts

pandact's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

There's a song called FEMININE RAGE by PEGGY that is especially fitting because Iron Widow alludes to the historical

Wu Zetian

(hidden because it was more fun for me to realize it at the end). It's darker and less predictable than most YA, but you should read it just because it spawned more memes than r/cremposting 😂

I hope the butterfly with gynanrdromorphism is a hint that we'll see lots more alien biology!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Torture, and War

Moderate: Genocide, Xenophobia, and Murder

mantnam's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The main character  is relateably imperfect, headstrong, and angry about the horrendous injustices of her society. Anyone who likes Evangelion or Gundam should give this a try. I never got into wither show but I thought this book was great.

The book was inspired by a lot of real Chinese history and I loved feeling like I was learning while I read this amazing story. It inspired me to learn some more about real history in that region.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Murder, and War

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

quotingmachine's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault