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celeris's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Sexual assault, Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexism, and Violence
adalinemccormick's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Colonisation, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, War, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, and Blood
Moderate: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Domestic abuse, Torture, Rape, and Murder
amanda_reads13's review
- 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
I really love this book. It has fantastic world building, dynamic characters, and a plot that sucks you in. I love how she brings in historical figures and facts while manipulating them to be relevant to this story and world. Feminism/patriarchy is obviously the main theme tackled here, but she also tackles addiction, abuse, government corruption and oppression, and gender and sexuality.
Throughout the story we learn about how Huaxia is a country fighting against alien invaders called Hunduns, these giant round metallic creatures. For centuries they have been battling them using Chrysalises (giant magical robots crafted out of the spirit metal of Hundun corpses) which uses a two-pilot system in which one girl and one boy pilot a single vehicle.
Huaxia is rules over by the Heavenly Council, a group of "Gods" who orbit the planet. The people of Huaxia must offer up Hunduns corpses in return for the gift of technological schematics. We discover that
This world is a patriarchal hell-hole for women. Women have two choices in life: become a wife or sacrifice yourself as a pilot's concubine. Women rarely survive as a concubine as they are scaeificed to ensure the man survives.
Throughout the story we meet Zetian (the iron widow), Li Shimin (the iron demon) and Yizhi (the cinnamon roll rich boy). Zetian comes into the story roaring. There is no build up to her rage, she just wakes up and chooses violence. I love it. She is a very compelling and fascinating character. Through her we learn about the misogyny blanketing this world, suppressing women to sexual play things and property. She is determined to make the world a better place and stands up when all others cower. As she learns about the truth behind the army, she seeks to destroy it from the inside out, willing to sacrifice herself for a better future.
I really appreciate the approach she took with the love triangle that could have been. Zetian is in love with Yizhi, yet develops feelings for Shimin as well.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Murder, Genocide, Blood, Abandonment, Death, Grief, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexism, War, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicidal thoughts
ax_sebas'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: Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Confinement, and Torture
Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts
snapeygan'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
4.75
My only complaints would be that I had a bit of difficulties to understand all the terms relatives to the universe of the books, and that the main character was a bit the stereotypical girlboss that saves the universe (not saying I don’t like it, but it could’ve been less stereotypical and the other women could have been portrayed in a better light).
I loved how inclusive this book was, and how the characters were nuanced and gray (all were bad and good at the same time). The worldbuilding was really good, as was the way it was written.
I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel!!
Graphic: Misogyny, Alcoholism, Grief, Murder, War, Colonisation, Sexism, Death, Blood, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
denee16's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
10/10 would recommend because Holly shit!
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Classism, Hate crime, Murder, War, Death of parent, Blood, Death, Medical trauma, Addiction, Alcoholism, Grief, Physical abuse, Violence, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Sexism
Moderate: Kidnapping, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
vael'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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Police brutality, Abandonment, Grief, Colonisation, Classism, Confinement, Misogyny, Slavery, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Body shaming, War, Genocide, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Self harm, and Fire/Fire injury
turrean'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
Listening to the audiobook added an extra depth to the story, since the names were pronounced correctly. I did find that some of the most violent scenes were really hard to get through.
Graphic: Body shaming, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Alcoholism, Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Misogyny, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Emotional abuse, Classism, Violence, War, Xenophobia, Sexism, Trafficking, and Death
lemonwrlds'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: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Vomit, War, Body shaming, Child abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, Torture, Bullying, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Police brutality, Alcoholism, Genocide, Gore, Body horror, Death, Medical content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Confinement, Death of parent, Ableism, Blood, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
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