Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

124 reviews

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

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

nicoleisalwaysreading'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? Yes

4.0

ARE YOU KIDDING????? I NEED HEAVENLY TYRANT NOW!!!!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Sexism, Murder, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Violence, War, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Xenophobia

fragrant_stars's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Honestly I loved this book. I didn't love it.. as much as I wanted  to love it, if that makes sense. It did come off as a little "preachy" at some points-- like when the characters talk about how men aren't just animals who can't control their sexual urges-- but the book as a whole, I loved, and I also loved, loved, loved the ployamoury in it, and the characters, and the ending. I'd definitely recommend this to any and all my friends.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Domestic abuse, Death, Addiction, War, Xenophobia, Sexism, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Torture, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Confinement, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Body horror

Moderate: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Classism, Kidnapping, Terminal illness, Vomit, Ableism, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Murder, Rape, and Child death

kouya's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

I can't believe there were plot twists even on the last but one page

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Torture

Moderate: Xenophobia and Death

Minor: Rape and War

i_amaacarr's review against another edition

adventurous funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Having studied some ancient Chinese history, I was hoping for a fun, adventurous fiction novel inspired by Empress Wu Zetian, and Xiran Jay Zhao does not disappoint! I felt gripped by the story and was often on the edge of my seat, hoping for these characters we were learning more about. I definitely enjoyed the way characters were all flawed, showing how no one could be guilt-free when attempting to move through the world of war, politics, and the public eye. 

While I tend to want my character development not to be too rushed, there weren't many times I felt as though that was happening while I was reading. Considering how fast the plot moves and how much is covered (literally an entire rise to power starting from the very beginning), I was pleasantly surprised to see how much of the story was dedicated to learning about the characters and developing their relationships. 

I love the way this book tackles the many stigmas in society. While it may appear over-the-top at first, it truly shows just how damaging it can be (for women, in particular) to be faced with constantly being underestimated and expected to conform to a strict expectation keeping you tethered down and subservient. I also liked how the book touched on class inequality, war propaganda, corrupt government, functioning with a physical disability, and queer identity within a society where gender roles are heavily enforced. 

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book, and will definitely recommend it to others. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: War, Addiction, Alcohol, and Alcoholism

Minor: Rape, Torture, Xenophobia, Body shaming, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault

mothkit's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I grabbed this book on a whim because of the cool cover and thought it was a stand-alone novel. When I learned it was part of a series I was disappointed because I wanted something quick and "unattached" to read, but I already bought it, so might as well still go for it and just let the rest of the series remain a mystery. It would be a quick read, anyway, I thought. I was sure in my choice too until litterally the last chapter. The author pulled the rug out from under me and left me in shock. It made think over the entire story with new understanding. So, now I'm probably gonna buy the sequel. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Body shaming, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Violence, Sexism, Grief, Blood, Gore, Xenophobia, War, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Murder, and Death

squinnittowinit's review

adventurous challenging dark funny tense fast-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? Yes

4.75

A delightful book in every way. Full of drama and emotion, action and intrigue, with powerful characters who will fight tooth and nail to get what they want.

I thought this book did a very good job of immersing the reader in the very real misogyny that Wu Zetian experiences at every turn, but also not wallowing in those feelings. Instead, Zetian fights against the system at every turn and the reader can celebrate with her when she succeeds. Gao Yizhi and Li Shimin are great supporting characters as well, full of their own depth, but without taking away from Zetian's character in any way.

I especially loved how unapologetically bloodthirsty Wu Zetian was, so often the "dangerous woman" main character ends up just being misunderstood, or becomes tamed by love or something, which is just weak character development. Wu Zetian is a dangerous woman, and that never changes.

4.75 stars because some of the most dramatic dialogue moments were just a little too silly for my liking.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Murder, Confinement, Violence, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Misogyny, Death, Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Alcohol

Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Classism, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Racism, Rape, War, Gun violence, and Ableism

Minor: Homophobia, Gaslighting, Vomit, Transphobia, Pedophilia, and Pregnancy

iane_reads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad 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? No

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Physical abuse, Ableism, Death, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Child death, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Gun violence, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Torture, Murder, War, and Hate crime

Moderate: Classism, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Xenophobia, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Cursing, and Trafficking

Minor: Biphobia, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Infidelity, Death of parent, Deportation, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content

bookishchef's review against another edition

dark 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Death, Violence, Torture, Xenophobia, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Alcohol

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Murder, Physical abuse, Ableism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Genocide, and War

Minor: Classism, Toxic friendship, Biphobia, Blood, and Medical content

tbd24's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

1.0

shockingly bad. this book was so bad. terrible pacing, cheesy metaphors, i can’t count how many times the phrase “a scream suffocated in my throat” was said. like, what? only redeeming quality was the

love triangle into poly couple

and even that is so clunky. literally every time there was a “plot twist” my first thought was “hmmm was i supposed to think this was an impossible task??? i just learned about its existence soooo???”. also maybe if the author wanted to write about sexism/misogyny they should have done a little research into the actual systems of oppression and power and the way they function in society instead of just making a laughably evil world where women are murdered wholesale for ostensibly no good reason and with no repercussions. idk it just kinda delegitimizes  the whole argument, i felt like this was a book written by a trad fem to satirize feminism, especially when it got to the weirdly gendered relationship roles the main character happily puts herself into. anyway I wasn’t planning on dunking on this book for that long but seriously this was so bad. also i still can’t get over

when the main characters waterboarded and murdered that guy and felt literally nothing about it lmaoooo like i’m all for morally grey characters but that shit was kinda hilariously evil

. anywayyyy i wish i never read this book, though it did give me something fun to complain about with my friends 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Xenophobia, Violence, Classism, Sexual assault, Death, Gaslighting, Sexism, Misogyny, Confinement, Torture, Murder, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and War