Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

619 reviews

nightstitch96's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Violence

Moderate: Death, Racism, and Sexual assault

Minor: Torture

heather_harrison's review against another edition

adventurous challenging fast-paced

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

3.25

Read for: 
- if you like Pacific Rim 
- Alt-history 
- Asian, poly & bisexual rep 
- alt-world with little background

Skip for: 
-YA dystopia cliches 
- under developed main character
- a book about patriarchy that barely passes the Bechdel Test & has a 2D female MC who is “not like other other girls” and is blatantly misogynistic 
- expositional and tactless conversations 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Sexual harassment, Addiction, War, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexism, and Torture

sydneykaye's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.75

sci-fi/fantasy reimagining of the first female emperor of China. very feminist and deals a lot with the patriarchy and violence against women

pretty good representation for a HEALTHY polyamorous relationship

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Blood, Chronic illness, Sexism, Sexual assault, War, Death, Biphobia, Misogyny, Murder, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Physical abuse and Rape

SPOILER for why Li Shimin was imprisoned and explains the mentions of rape

Li Shimin murdered his brothers because they raped a girl

totallyunemployed's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring 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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Alcoholism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Biphobia, Torture, and Medical trauma

Minor: Sexual assault

mossgoblins's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Classism, Grief, Confinement, Death, Murder, Torture, Addiction, Alcohol, Misogyny, Violence, War, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, and Sexism

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Body horror, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Rape

neko_reads's review against another edition

adventurous 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual assault, Torture, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Rape

kemrick19's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Blood, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Confinement, Violence, Addiction, Murder, Racism, Sexism, and Sexual assault

the_readingfox's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Torture, Violence, and Misogyny

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual assault

Minor: Rape and Domestic abuse

spookylettuce's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

5.0

I read Iron Widow in ~4h several years ago instead of writing a very important paper and loved it. I plan to re-read it as soon as I finish all the holds I have at my local library.
The pacing was some of the best I’ve ever had the fortune to read. The author has mentioned via social media that they’re audhd like me, and I think that’s makes Iron Widow so readable and well-paced. I also thoroughly enjoyed the world building, and I think its efficacy is related. After all, are some styles of effective world building not just well-timed and plot-relevant mini info dumps?
Content-wise, I knew going in I would love Iron Widow. I love Pacific Rim, and really enjoy reading fantasy books inspired by Chinese culture and history. I was also excited about the disability rep and

romance being  bi-polyamory instead of the very tired love triangle trope

. My expectations were high, which I always try to avoid since I feel like it can make my reading experience less enjoyable. I couldn’t help it with this book, but it was fine because it actually exceeded my expectations anyways.
I love the characters and that they are not paragons of morality. If you’ve also been waiting for a fmc to unapologetically snap at the people/society that’s been treating her awfully, get ready for some catharsis.
I say all of this with the understanding that not all readers are homogeneous and while I LOVE Iron Widow, not everyone will. But if you’re like me and enjoy fantasy/sci-fi informed by Chinese culture and/or are an audhd reader, definitely give this book a shot!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Sexism, Classism, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism

Minor: Genocide and Sexual assault

bibliorama's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.0

Iron widow
Enjoyment - 3
Start - 4
Characters - 2.5
Atmosphere - 3
Plot - 2.5
Ending - 2.5
Style - 2.5 
The first half was good. The second had way more telling to speed through the many plot points.

Overall - 3

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Body horror, Physical abuse, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Chronic illness, Torture, War, Addiction, and Murder

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Sexual assault

It's hard for me to say how someone else would handle these triggers as books don't typically get to me with triggering content. For what Iron Widow covers, it didn't feel overly graphic to me but that is very subjective. I would say this is better suited towards older young adults (16ish and above but that’s just my opinion)