You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Graphic: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Torture
Minor: Sexual assault
The book was excellently paced and had a sense of appropriate urgency given the setting and the dangers the characters were facing. As for the characters themselves, I loved Zetian, Yizhi, Li Shimin and their relationships with each other. My only want with them was to be able to see them interact more.
As for the allegory of the concubine-pilots and Chrysalises, I’m sure that everyone has their own options that range widely, but personally, I liked that it was more nuanced than just “women are just as strong as men”. To be fair, I am writing this review long after I have read this book, and therefore my memory of it isn’t very strong, but if I’m recalling correctly, there was also critique on toxic masculinity and how strict gender norms affect everyone negatively.
The ending left me wanting more, and I’m beyond eager to explore more of this world should this turn into a series. In the meantime, I’m definitely rereading Iron Widow a few times over.
Also, I know that Zhao is an avid Yugioh fan, as am I, and it only felt fitting to use a yugioh card as a bookmark. For those who are curious, it was Virtual World Phoenix - Fanfan.
Minor: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture
Minor: Rape
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, Gaslighting
Graphic: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Racism, Vomit, Colonisation
Good scifi is a mirror through which we can examine our society, and the symbolism here is so obvious it's basically just another text. The society depicted is, unequivocally, horrific. It's depicted in an unflinching style that almost dares you to look away. Nobody in the setting is obviously the "good guys," and everyone is utterly corrupted by the rotten society they've built.
There's some cute moments too, a spoonful of sugar to help the extremely bitter medicine go down. And some really incredible action scenes. But if you're looking for something <i>light</i>, this isn't it.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking
Graphic: Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, War
Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Rape, Terminal illness, Medical content
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Murder
Moderate: Racism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Xenophobia, Police brutality
Minor: Confinement, Rape
Also, for a book that's supposedly about female empowerment, there are barely any fleshed out female characters besides the MC.
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Sexual harassment