Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

71 reviews

lucystolethesky's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Confinement, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, War, Xenophobia, Violence, Torture, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence

Moderate: Colonisation, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Cursing, Chronic illness, Bullying, and Body shaming

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Medical content, and Homophobia

ichewonpushpins's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.75

This is a very, very angry book. I was concerned at first that it would stay too neatly in the field of "divine female rage", a trope I often find harmful since it's often used to excuse horrific behavior on the part of the woman. But this book does not fall into that trap. This book wants to tell a bigger story than just an angry woman, a wronged woman, a vengeful woman. Revenge isn't the end goal for Zeitan; its the beginning. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and War

Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

Minor: Colonisation

There is a somewhat graphic description of the practice of foot-binding early in the book. The lifelong effects of this are mentioned multiple times throughout the rest of the novel.

missindyrose's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Violence, and War

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape

hiddenstaircase's review against another edition

dark emotional tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Misogyny

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, War, Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence

Minor: Racism, Rape, and Torture

leedolee's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark 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? It's complicated

5.0

BRUH. THIS BOOK. 

First of all, the premise of this book did not, at all, prepare me for what was truly about to happen. I imagined it as Pacific Rim with a stunning Chinese backdrop and a strong main character with a polyamorous relationship. 

I did not at all imagine the discussion of gender roles, sexualities, relationships, and the full on eff you to the patriarchy. I also was not prepared for the drama, the violence, the dialogue, and the plot twists. 

Needless to say, I enjoyed every second of it. A morally grey character? Villainous intentions? Or just what I needed? 

Honestly, I was tired of reading about strong characters who were scared to enter into the dark side and fearful about how the world would view them. This book's leads completely did not care about that one bit. And I was here for it. 

Read this book! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and War

ruby_kitsune's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

This is one of the best books I have ever read! Fast paced and incredibly entertaining, which really helps my short attention span to stay focused. The characters are incredible, and Wu Zetian is an amazing rage filled protagonist.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexism

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, and Murder

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

rocketships's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

• 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

THIS BOOK IS BRILLIANT i don’t think i’ve ever felt so strongly about the end of a book in YEARS - the character development is flawless, the plot is flawless, THE PLOT TWIST AT THE END IS FLAWLESS - i could go on. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Genocide, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts

fictionfixer's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.75

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao is a feminist wildfire of a book that rages against the toxicity of patriarchal oppression. It shows how difficult it is to navigate the world as a woman–not just physically but emotionally and mentally too. It shows how patriarchal oppression is systemic and how men (and women) can unwillingly (or willingly) play a part in perpetuating patriarchal views, and how we can challenge said views.

It demands attention with its remarkable, daring characters, and shows a relationship that is complex, nuanced, balanced, and shows why these characters are compelling.

It dares its readers to think bigger with its fantastical, mecha-inspired world, and immerses them in prose so vivid that I could paint a clear picture of each mecha described.

Overall, Iron Widow is fascinating, fiery debut full of feminist fury that left a twist ending so mind-boggling that I’m already scrambling to get ready for book 2.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, War, and Vomit

snowydaze's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

I really enjoyed the characters and plot of this book. The morally grey characters and polyamorous representation was amazing to see. Additionally the world building was unique and discussed the differences between the cultures well. The discussions of gender norms, addiction, relationships, grief and misogyny among other topics throughout the novel are necessary to the plot and sadly related to issues currently faced by many. The author handles these plot points in a delicate manner and through her writing many different perspectives can be gleamed from the passages.  The battle sequences were also very detailed and exciting to read. 

However, on a different note I found the ending to be rushed and the epilogue partially confusing. Particularly because of how short it is, the information presented in it does not have enough explanation to really hit home. Additionally she discusses the importance of found family and family obligations in a strange way that works at some points but is muddled in other parts of the story. At times it seems like she excuses their behavior and diminishes her families toxicity as a whole but during other scenes it is explained well. This comes across as muddled and it is harder to fully understand her dilemmas later in the book because of it. 

Other than that Iron Widow was a refreshing read with unique plot and although I found the last bit rushed overall it was a great read that I've already pre-ordered and plan on recommending! I can't wait for the next volume to see what happens next! 

Disclaimer ~ I got an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Violence

foreverinastory's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

What the fuck. I want the next one immediately. Reading the Author's Note now, it gave me chills. Truly this work is incredible.

Rep: Chinese polyamorous female MC with bound feet & uses a wheelchair, bisexual Chinese male love interest, alcoholic bisexual Chinese male love interest, supporting cast of all Chinese characters. While the world heavily relies on the gender binary, there are discussions that gender and sex are not binary.

CWs: Acephobia/Acemisia, alcohol/alcoholism--forced development of alcoholism, internalized biphobia/bimisia, blood, body horror (bound feet), body shaming/fatphobia, colonisation, confinement to chrysalis vehicles and prison cells, death/death of parents, emotional abuse, fire/fire injury, forced enlistment of women as concubines, gaslighting, mental illness (PTSD/panic attacks), misogyny, murder, racial slurs, attempted rape/mentions of past rape/sexual violence, sexism, sexual content, suicidal thoughts, torture, war, violence. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, War, and Violence