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Graphic: Gore, Toxic relationship, War, Classism
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Trafficking, Pregnancy
Graphic: Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Colonisation
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Medical trauma, War
Moderate: Chronic illness, Infertility, Sexual content, Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage, Gaslighting
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, War
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Transphobia
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual content, Medical content, Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual assault
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Violence, Colonisation, War, Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape
Minor: Trafficking
The main character Zetian is an obviously flawed character who has risen from commoner prisoner to empress and now has to deal with balancing the politics of her new position as well as her relationship with the new emperor, while trying to protect the two men she loves (a polyamourous relationship).
I would have been interested to see Zetian fighting against true gods but I am curious to see where the third book will go in terms of introducing an intergalactic landscape and the challenges that come with it.
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Murder, War, Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Colonisation
Minor: Mental illness, Rape, Medical trauma
It is set up to be at least a trilogy by the ending. I hope that the third book can regain the drive of Iron Widow while carrying any loose strings from Heavenly Tyrant. This IS a political intrigue novel- with exactly zero characters being wholly innocent. This is something some readers will find tiring.
I wish we had been able to spend more time with The Iron Widows, because the men were so ugh, ya know? But in a realistic 'yeah this is how a man grabbing for power is' way.
I read this a chapter at a time over a long span and I recommend that or perhaps an audiobook edition.
Graphic: Body horror, Toxic relationship, Violence, War
Moderate: Sexual content, Medical content, Pregnancy, Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual assault
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, War
Moderate: Sexual content, Medical content, Pregnancy
Minor: Child abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual assault
I am enthralled with the character advancement and changes in detail as Zetian becomes more informed on deeper layers of her main struggles with gender politics, societal constructs, and power dynamics around personal vs community freedom. Its great watching her work with what she has and try to make the most of her situation.
Moderate: Ableism, Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, War