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ionarachel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Alcohol, Violence, Addiction, Medical content, Body shaming, Torture, Sexual violence, Rape, Misogyny, Mental illness, Grief, Gore, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexism, Death, Death of parent, Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Blood
thisonecassie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I lean close to the Tortoise almost touching it with the dragons extended snout and long golden whiskers, my words pour a silver white glaze over its black surface. "please you already killed my real family"
I squish a slaw through the tortoise's head, tearing it clean off its neck. I crush and grind it, streams of blood, so thin they're nearly invisible, trickle down the claw. The thought of Shimin going through the same thing flashes through my head, and i clench even tighter, gritting the dragon's teeth"
I love the build up of the relationships (both romantic and otherwise) as well as the deterioration of some of the relationships, so many books go straight from characters working well together to just saying "they are no longer good" but Iron Widow explore how they deteriorate, and I loved the focus and exploration of chosen family.
The romantic relationships, are handled beautifully, at no point did i think "why??? are THEY in a relationship??"
The book wrapped itself up well, I felt satisfied by the ending, and yes it does set up a sequel that I am eagerly awaiting entitled Heavenly Tyrant.
I hope Xiran can come to an agreement with their publisher that does not force them to compromise their morals (a few days ago, as I was mid-read, Xiran announced that in addition to being sketchily excluded from this years Hugo Awards [likely due to their open position against the Uygur genocide] that Heavenly Tyrant is being delayed from its original april 30th 2024 release date to an unknown date in 2025, due to internal conflict with the publisher over the Palestinian genocide.
Graphic: Murder, Addiction, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, War, Death, and Trafficking
kukazashi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Murder, War, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Physical abuse, Addiction, Death, and Alcoholism
Minor: Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
xx_salem's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, War, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gaslighting, Sexism, Alcohol, Classism, Murder, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Confinement, Addiction, Ableism, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
mari1532's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Confinement, Grief, Gaslighting, War, Death, Addiction, Blood, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Violence, Alcohol, and Forced institutionalization
jenny_d's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Addiction, Misogyny, Confinement, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Death
kennyhamann1312's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
i have NEVER read a book that has represented so much lgbt diversity while still being set in traditional ancient Chinese culture. NEVER before have I seen not one but TWO MALE BISEXUAL CHARACTERS. This book is the best writing I've ever read. It dives deep into gender stereotype and sexism hidden in modern culture, while melding together the thrills of Chinese myths and culture. I never read books a second time! but I certainly would read this book again while I wait for the next in the series.
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, and Torture
micah_mac's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Sexism, Torture, Misogyny, and Child abuse
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death, Suicidal thoughts, War, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Addiction, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Minor: Confinement
runefiction's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Misogyny, Alcoholism, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Minor: Rape
krystaldelusion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Violence, War, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Misogyny, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual assault and Body shaming