Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Iron Widow

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Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

1125 reviews

nicoleisalwaysreading's review against another edition

4.0

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

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

Content Warnings

julessssss's review against another edition

3.25

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

honestly sad about this one, especially as I pre-ordered it back when it came out. I read most of it pretty quickly, but did not find myself enjoying it all that much and that got worse as I got further into the book.

I think it is fine and will I read the second book? maybe

the fantasy / sci-fi parts were great in my opinion, and I liked how complicated the world building, history, and such seemed to be.

I did not like any of the main characters that much though, and I do not think the relationship between Zetian and Shimin was developed enough for how they were acting, idk. I did not feel any compatibility for them, even when they were supposedly in a relationship. The polyam part though, I want to see more books with relationship dynamics like that.

also the "feminism" was overwhelming and a lot of what I have seen in other books before. I did not see much new or innovative in that respect and it got annoying very quickly.

I don't think it was badly written though and the plot seemed at least well thought-through.

idk overall it was fine, but not my favorite

Content Warnings

corvid_archivist's review against another edition

5.0

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: Yes

Content Warnings

p1gu1's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional funny sad 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 fact that the iron triangle shared only one moment of domesticity and it was between a torture session and the war

Content Warnings

dreamer626's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-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

If you want a fantasy book with a strong, cunning female lead, read this book!

Content Warnings

iszys's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I support women's rights and women's wrongs!

Content Warnings

fragrant_stars's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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.

Content Warnings

gibs144's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous dark fast-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: Complicated

The action in this book was exciting, and the plot twists were intriguing, but the magic system - while interesting - was a little video gamey. The book also lacked a lot of emotional depth and reflection.
The love triangle was resolved in a reasonable way

by polyamory

and the relationships were mature, but the main character

went a little crazy and power hungry at the end, particularly with the torture which I did not enjoy.

Content Warnings

amalyndb's review against another edition

4.5

I think it took me until around a quarter of the way in for this novel to really grab me. I also recognize that I've been running a low-grade fever and that might be part of why it took me a while.

Misogynistic society, reinforced by family members. Young women being sold into marriage or near-certain death as batteries for male mecha operators, to support the success of sons.

And yet, this grabbed me and I had a hard time putting it down.

Mechs / mechas haven't really been of interest to me in the past. Partially that generally I've encountered them in endless war contexts, and that just hasn't felt appealing to me.

This feels for me similar to brain/brawn ships, and other conjoined minds working together in various sci-fi.

Am curious where other works will go, as the twist at the end was something.

Content Warnings

ara02's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-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

Content Warnings

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