Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Iron Widow

Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

1122 reviews

katie0528's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous dark emotional 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: No

I couldn't put this book down! A blending of Chinese history/mythology with Voltron and Hunger Games style sci-fi elements led to a really unique story that still felt familiar to Western sci-fi fans. In a futuristic world bombarded by aliens known as Hundens, male/female pairs pilot giant mechs called Chrisalises. However, the females are concubines to their male counterparts in every sense, including using their life force to power the mechs. After Zetian's sister died as a pilot's concubine, she volunteers to become one as well to enact her revenge. She quickly becomes a powerful pilot in her own right, as an Iron Widow, and decides to enact revenge on the system that sees women as nothing more than objects.

Content Warnings

mcmolls's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

lulaabees's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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: Complicated

one of the best things i've read this year. was not bored or disappointed by a single chapter in there (though the first chapter could've been better because it felt a little contrived). wish that yizhi got more developed because he still feels like a mystery in comparison to the two other leads, but i'm sure that xjz will address this in heavenly tyrant, which i'm eagerly anticipating.
zetian is the main draw of the book to me. she is such a cool character. she feels alive. i also love while, even though she sets herself apart, it's clearly said in the book that she is far from the only woman with a thirst for rebellion and vengeance. she's not "special" like that (would've been kind of the potential pitfall of having a mc like this), but she's amazing.
my only criticism of this book is really that the feminist commentary felt a little too on the nose sometimes, but since the barbie movie seemed revolutionary to a lot of people, that's probably just me.

Content Warnings

hello_lovely13's review against another edition

3.25

adventurous dark 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

The content of this is adult, but the writing style is YA for a majority of the book. The premise was completed within 100 pages, and I was never clear on Zetian's end goal after that (it was either short-term or vague). The pacing was too fast for me, and I wished we could ahve lingered on specific topics and experiences (i.e.: exploring gender identity). Because it was so fast, I wasn't fully attached to the relationships. However, I was angry when

Li Shimin "died" (thankfully it was a fake out)

. The last quarter of the book was strong because I finally believed in the brutality of Zetian (I kept comparing it to She Who Became the Sun and was disappointed). I was not expecting the twist at the end, and am not sure if I like it or not (it was WILD). Next book will tell me.

Content Warnings

evann140's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

gondorgirl's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

cavernism's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

What a wild ride! I think it could have benefitted with a little time spent on setting up the war/foe. Some of the writing felt rushed/confusing. However, the emotional beats hit wonderfully. The main emotion? R A G E.

I thought they were setting up a love triangle but got hopeful when

it veered in another direction, and then DELIVERED on an actual throuple dynamic! I was so bummed that it was so short-lived though. But maybe there's a hope for the future?

This book has a lot going for it, and I'm very eager for the sequel!

Content Warnings

kdegroote905's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional 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

Content Warnings

ixris's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark funny 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

What if pac rim met the hunger games and starship troopers in a back parking lot and had a gender fist fight.

Very fun. Top tier writing. I have one complaint and it's about how short-lived the best shape got to be.

Content Warnings

r3ader's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-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

This was... an experience. A book that is filled with pure female rage and feminism. A book that shocks you, that makes you angry, sad and happy. An ending making you wish to be able to read the next book INSTANTLY. Still, something was missing for me to give it the full 5 stars.
I'm looking forward to part 2 and seeing how it will all play out.

Content Warnings

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