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ramiel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Torture, Violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault, Classism, Dysphoria, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Rape, and Sexual violence
Minor: Confinement, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Bullying, Death of parent, Racism, Body shaming, Classism, Sexual content, and Racial slurs
ioanna_orf'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
4.25
Graphic: Genocide, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Sexism, and War
Moderate: Torture, Xenophobia, Colonisation, and Sexual assault
Minor: Vomit
reader_in_the_meadow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The book contains the novel in three parts and 42 chapters and acknowledgements.
The plot of this novel is rather fast paced. We are thrown into the story on a whim and experience it through the eyes of Wu Zetian, the main character, as it unfolds.
I loved the way Zhao told the Story and mixed elements of science-fiction and fantasy to form a truly unique story. The inspiration they took from chinese mythology and history was worked into the story perfectly and forms a very special kind of world.
The characters in this novel were great! The all asian cast with representation of non-heterosexual, polyamorous and disabled characters was very diverse.
Although not all of them were particularly loveable or morally white I really took a liking to them. I think that the inclusion of many morally gray characters really played into the story and is therefore really important.
Zhao's writing style is very beautiful. Being not that complicated it was easy to read and therefore immerse yourself into the story. It was a very beautiful and easy style to read. The use of chinese words played into the likability of it all and made the story pictured in the writing.
I liked many things in this story especially the use of well-liked book tropes like enemies to lovers or the morally gray protagonist.
Over all, I can say that this book is very unique and an awesome read for people who love Science-fiction, Fantasy and stories inspired by mythology and history.
However, if you are planning on reading this please take a note of the content warnings.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Sexual assault, Vomit, and War
bibliophilecrocodile'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
I was a bit slow at picking up this book because I expected it to be more high sci fi or like much more complex? But this was just really easy to read and just perfect? It's my kind of book, with a strong powerful mc who's just undeniably badass. Xiran Jay Zhao, you're now one of my favorite authors, can't fricking wait for the sequel😫
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
emmaowens'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
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Blood, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Grief, Sexual assault, and War
Minor: Body horror and Vomit
feverdreamhigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Violence, Murder, Torture, War, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Colonisation, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Rape
Minor: Cannibalism
inferiorwit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, War, Vomit, Violence, Torture, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Pregnancy, Homophobia, and Eating disorder
potatogrr'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: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Violence, War, Rape, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Xenophobia and Vomit
maricasement's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Edit (2021/11/01): I'm not sure I processed that very well... I am now in a bit of a reading slump because I feel that there is no meaning in life and no other book will manage to do what this did. It may seem dramatic, but nothing I've attempted to read since has appealed to me... Hopefully I'll get in the vibe of reading again and finally review this properly lol.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
zombiezami'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: Murder, Death, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, Medical content, and Body horror
Moderate: War, Death, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Cursing, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, and Confinement
Minor: Homophobia, Gun violence, Vomit, Sexual assault, Rape, and Domestic abuse
Incarceration, death of a sibling, classism