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pengintoppa's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Torture, Trafficking, and Colonisation
recurring mention/description of the long-term crippling effects of footbinding. the racism/xenophobia is directed at non-han chinese ethnic groups. sexism/misogyny is a lot of the driving force of most of the plot.betanine's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is an emotional book that hits a number of cultural points throughout the book. I like books that make me think and illustrate a concept or make a point and this book does just that. This one wasn’t really for me due to the amount of anger experienced by the main character and the abuse that the main characters go through throughout the story. A number of times I thought about not finishing the book, but I was hoping for redemption after such darkness.
This is the first of at least two and it ends with a cliffhanger ready to sitting right into the next installment. Perhaps the redemption I’m looking for will be in the next book. I don’t know that I will read it. While I am sympathetic to the perspectives, it leaves me emotionally worn out.
Moderate: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, and Torture
neko_reads'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
Minor: Rape
kemrick19'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
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
the_readingfox's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Domestic abuse and Rape
spookylettuce's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
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
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!
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Genocide and Sexual assault
cfitz13's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Minor: Rape and Alcohol
discowing87'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Sexism, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
bibliorama's review against another edition
- 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
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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Murder, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
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)charliesshit'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Grief, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault