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kristynpittman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
As far as representation goes Zhao excels on two fronts. She was able to blend so many beautiful Chinese elements into this brand new sci-fi world. Also, I don't want to spoil anything but this is how you do a love triangle. A triangle is the strongest shape after all...
Graphic: Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, War, Confinement, Sexism, Alcoholism, Medical trauma, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Torture
thedisabledreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, War, Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Alcohol, and Sexism
klara42's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: War, Violence, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Alcoholism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Classism, Colonisation, Death, Gore, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing
purplelake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Body horror, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, War, Alcohol, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Torture, Death, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Classism, and Trafficking
Minor: Medical content, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Animal death, and Body shaming
idiomie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Confinement, Murder, Racial slurs, Ableism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Racism, Toxic friendship, Xenophobia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Violence, and War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Eating disorder, Gore, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Blood
fraxisle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Murder, Violence, Alcoholism, War, Sexism, Addiction, Xenophobia, Misogyny, and Confinement
Moderate: Alcohol, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Classism, Child abuse, and Body shaming
Minor: Body horror, Chronic illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Colonisation, Child death, and Bullying
starship_olympus's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, War, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Violence, Torture, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Genocide
Moderate: Blood, Body shaming, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, and Drug use
Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Rape
nebulasaurus's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Ableism, Classism, Cursing, Grief, Gore, War, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Violence, Sexism, Murder, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Police brutality, Misogyny, Blood, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting
ghostie_reads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A quick rundown: In Huxia's society, the boys dream of pairing up with a female concubine to pilot giant Chrysalises (transforming robots) to battle the Hunduns ("mecha aliens") that live beyond the Great Wall and threaten their way of life. The girls of Huxia… well they consider themselves lucky if they don't die in battle from the mental strain. With the battles broadcast to every tablet in Huxian society, it is considered an honor to the families for their daughters to sacrifice themselves. 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up to the role, stunning her family. Little do they know that her only plan is to enter the army and kill the pilot responsible for her sister's death only months before. Surprising everyone, she kills him through the psychic link that pilots and concubines share in battle and emerges completely unscathed. The rumors begin flying as the cameras hurry to shut off, but not before they see Zetian in all her glory. They whisper that she is to be feared, that she only exists to power up Chrysalises, and that she is dangerous. Quickly labeled the "Iron Widow," Zetian's next partner is the infamous Li Shimin. His controversial stint as a Huxian pilot has left him with the moniker, "Iron Demon,” known for his violent outbursts and ruthlessness on the battlefield. As the two begin their partnership, Zetian experiences real power for the first time. Throw in aid from her longtime friend and almost-lover Yizhi, and Zetian feels safe for the first time since her Big Sister's death. She begins to actively question the pilot system the world has grown accustomed to and passive to, and wonders if she and Li Shimin have the power to change it, all while preventing more needless deaths.
My thoughts: I had seen this book pop up a few times on Twitter and was intrigued, but it wasn't until I saw Xiran Jay Zhao describe it as "400 pages of female rage conducted through giant mechas designed after East Asian myth creatures, inspired by China's only female emperor" that I knew it was a must-read. When I saw NetGalley had it as an ARC, I knew it was a sign to read it. Very rarely do I find myself speechless at the end of
books. Most of the time I've either processed all my feelings while reading or I've not come to terms with how much I love the story yet. This book took me for a ride and didn't let me go. As soon as I saw the sentence "Welcome to your nightmare," I knew I was done for, and I very well ran the risk of slipping into a reading slump after this. As I got further into the book, I wanted to know more, and I'm hoping for either a prequel or some time in Book 2 explaining how the world got to this point. I don't mind waiting to see the full truth because all the other aspects created such an interesting narrative. The Hunduns and the Nomads seem like super interesting groups that I would love to know the history of, and seeing how Zhao presented Li Shimin's backstory to Zetian, I know it would be done excellently. Zetian's character is compelling, from beginning to end you want to see her succeed. Even if I didn't agree with the choices she made, I understood exactly why she made them. Li Shimin broke my heart and healed it again, and Yizhi made me feel all the emotions (and curiosity about his tattoos). Can I also take a moment while talking about my love for these characters to appreciate the polyamory representation? Zhao mentions that they have received a lot of pushback for including this element, but I think it was done excellently! I would have loved some more time in the book devoted to the trio's dynamic, but I am content to wait for Book 2 to have that dream filled because this book was So. Damn. Good. Zhao did the world a service by choosing polyamory over the tired love triangle trope. It is so important to have representation that doesn't feature monogamy as the default.
Speaking of representation… this book features more than just relationship rep, there's also a Chinese cast of characters (from multiple areas of China), Chinese representation in locations and settings, and bisexual representation in Li Shimin and Yizhi. For a debut novel, this is utterly impressive and breath taking work. I ultimately found myself completely entranced by every page. I can see how much potential Book 2 and (hopefully) a series could have.
Zhao has said that many of their characters were inspired by famous historical figures from different eras of Chinese history, and it provides a super compelling set of "Easter eggs" to try and find.
Do yourself a favor and order this book ASAP. I know that's what I'll be doing as soon as I click "Publish.”
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Rape
norwegianforestreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Child death, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, War, Genocide, Gore, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence, Ableism, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Classism, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, and Gaslighting