Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Iron Widow

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Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

1122 reviews

oiwb's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I found myself wanting more of most things - more world building, more character building. The major plot points were there but getting from point a to point b was a bit awkward. Plot twist at the end was predictable, but it was a fun read

Content Warnings

thebooksanctum's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Just incredible, once again! The conversations around patriarchal societies and extreme sexism, the Pacific Rim vibes, it's all incredible and perfect to me!

Content Warnings

lovethypanda's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense 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: Complicated

5/5 ⭐️
Worldbuilding: 4.5/5 🌎
Characters: 5/5 👥
Plot: 4.5/5 🧠
Writing: 4/5 ✍️
Spice is closed door 👄
Romance Quality: 4.5/5 ♥️
Romance Quantity: 1.5/5💗

Wow. Just wow.

At first, I was completely thrown—what in the Chinese history meets Pokémon is going on here? But then came the rage. The love. The feminism. And then even more guttural rage.

I never thought a queer throuple set against the backdrop of futuristic Chinese lore would captivate me, but here we are. The story defies expectations at every turn, blending history, sci-fi, and raw emotion into something truly unforgettable. It’s fierce, it’s bold, and it will make you feel everything!

Content Warnings

cmsreads's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

ella_rose31's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

So good I had to read it twice to prepare for the next book! Amazing story and such a great read to get out of a slump for sci-fi lovers!

Content Warnings

keen's review against another edition

4.75

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

Content Warnings

rjbedell's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

“A primal scream of a book” is a very apt tagline, for better and for worse. Zhao’s great achievement in Iron Widow is a raw, ferocious current of feminist rage, sustained by shocking plot twists and vivid action sequences. Genuinely tender moments thread a surprising love arc through otherwise dark scenes.

However, for me the book was weighed down by excessive brutality, surprisingly immature dialogue, and at-times clumsy plot advancements. The cruelty of the novel’s world makes it impossible not to root for the title character, yet the conclusion Zetian reaches as her revenge fantasy reaches its fever pitch — “the world does not deserve my respect… kindness or compassion” — abandons speculative fiction’s potential to inspire. From a serious standpoint, the story paints a grim portrait of a woman consumed by her own rage in a seemingly endless fight against injustice. For readers able to take the book less seriously, it may provide a cathartic release valve in the form of a sensational, unpredictable bloodbath.

Reminded me strongly of The Hunger Games and Ender’s Game.

Content Warnings

sammyb's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

dalek_caan's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional reflective 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

If I could give this book more than five stars I would. What an incredible read. Not a moment was wasted in telling this story, I was absolutely hanging onto every moment. It touches on so many different themes of struggle and trauma and identity and love in a beautifully woven together and explored story. I can't wait for the next book.

Content Warnings

lauralia's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is my second time reading this book, as I’m preparing to read the sequel, and I loved it just as much as the first time. The intrigue and the different revelations throughout make sense, I love seeing the way the main characters shed the weight of what society told them is the right. I hope Heavenly Tyrant will be as good, because Iron Widow still hasn’t let me down!

Content Warnings

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