Reviews tagging 'Death'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

705 reviews

afloodofbooks's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

Zetian lives in a world where massive transforming robots called Chrysalises, are powered by pairs of boys and girls - but the girls often die from the mental strain. After the death of her sister, Zetian offers herself as a concubine-pilot in order to avenge her sister's death. Only Zetian's vengeance goes unexpectedly when she kills the pilot through their psychic link and emerges unscathed. Her status as an Iron Widow thrusts Zetian into a completely different understanding of the Chrysalises and how they work as she seeks to find a more even footing between boy and girl pilots, while preventing the deaths of other concubine-pilots. Through her journey, Zetian gets a taste of power that she won't give up until she's upended the misogynistic system she's been born and thrust into. 

Zetian's rage was so palpable throughout Iron Widow and it was SO cathartic. I honestly loved being angry with her. Iron Widow twisted and turned and the political and social intrigue gave a whole additional layer to the intrigue of the story. I really loved Zetian's awareness and her desire to save herself and other girls from being sacrificed. Looking forward to where the story goes from the surprise of the ending. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, and War

clouded_chaos's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: War

sarahasperger's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Grief, War, and Classism

Moderate: Confinement and Torture

sissizc's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, and War

Moderate: Sexual harassment

tiddlerrr's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring tense fast-paced

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

5.0

If you are neurospicy there is something about the way Xiran Jay Zhao writes that clicks in your brain. I opened this up one evening thinking I was going to read max two chapters, and then proceeded to not be able to put the book down until I finished it at 6am. I literally read this while eating dinner.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and War

Moderate: Ableism, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Classism

fkshg8465's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-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

3.5

This book was a lot of fun and validating for me. Is like The Iron Widow was able to say how I feel about the patriarchy in the ways I wish I could. She’s the best hero! Looking forward to reading the sequel when it comes out.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

angelfireeast24's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense 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

5.0

 A disabled queer feminist hero who took no shit and served endless power despite deep discrimination and injustice told within a sci-fi world of robots vs aliens. 5 stars Highly recommend reading 

It is an epic story of a world shaped by discrimination and sexism. A woman dares to change the world by refusing the horrible role society has assigned her. The world seems like one thing and quickly stands out as something altogether different. Nothing is as it appears. I was rooted in the story of Wu Zetian even as I sometimes had to look away and take a break from all the angst. Wu Zetian never stops fighting patriarchy and injustice. As the story develops, so do Wu Zetian's views on feminism and the characters around her. It goes hand in hand as her worldview changes throughout the book. I was supposed to be shocked and perhaps conflicted about a few things that happened by finding I was 100% behind our heroes. Near the end, twist after twist leaves me desperate for more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Alcohol

lady_of_the_labyrinth's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Torture and War

pj99's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

Bloody spectacular, like inspecting an artwork the size of a soccer field with a magnifying glass!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Misogyny, Violence, Grief, Murder, War, and Classism

Minor: Death, Physical abuse, and Sexual content

ailiscr32's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I loved this book. All three main characters were great, but I wish we had a little more time with them as a triad. The world-building I thought was a little sparse, but in context of the story it ultimately makes sense (and I like to think the author meant that, instead of it just working out that way.)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, and War

Moderate: Colonisation

Minor: Ableism