Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

635 reviews

dark hopeful tense medium-paced
Strong character development: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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adventurous dark emotional 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

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adventurous challenging 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: Complicated

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adventurous dark tense fast-paced

I started and finished reading this book in less than three hours, which points out how incredibly fast-paced and interesting the plot is. While I enjoyed the structure of the story, several aspects are holding me back from loving it. 

1. The main character, Zetian, is annoying. There, I said it. I didn't like her in the beginning and I certainly didn't like her in the end BUT I did like what she stood for...I just didn't like how she went about it. Unhinged is fine, revenge is great. However, the story is framed to say that Zetian is not like other girls. 

2. The relationship that was promised happened, but for no more than a few chapters before it was cruelly taken away from us. It bothered me to no end and I just spent twenty minutes ranting to my friends about it because what the heck.

3. The lack of female friendships was...nauseating. Every other girl we met during this run was either too weak, too stuck up, or too something. The only female companionships that Zetian had was wasted and poor representation of how women can be strong in other ways. I do have faith that if the series is to continue, then we might see some strong friendships build but oh maaan I was rooting for something a little more concrete right from the start. 

4. The ending. I could scream. I saw the "twist" coming but it still felt like a slapped-on bandaid to the creative world-building rather than enriching the history a bit more. It was like turning to the final page and seeing "and then I woke up" before throwing the book across the room. 

Oh, and some of the dialogue is truly cringey. 

I forget where I was going with this review but...yeah...

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adventurous dark funny fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful 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

Honestly FUCK every other YA book, Xiran I fuck wit YOU

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challenging dark tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Very engaging read. The force of the main characters' anger is very powerful. Beautiful fantasy universe based on Chinese history. Strong challenge to a society built on gender assumptions. One of my favorite books of the year! 

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adventurous 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

Main character was a baddie.
I was so excited when I suspected the love triangle could be an actual love triangle instead of the childhood best friend and the angsty guy both liking the main character. I think it was a poly relationship done well.

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adventurous dark mysterious sad 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: Complicated

Love feral woman, love this book, I had emotions I was conflicted but I ate it up like ice cream. Can’t wait for the sequels. You get a bravo from me Ziran Jay Zhao. Li Shimin my beloved. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark 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: Complicated

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