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Lives up to the excellence of the book before.
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Gaslighting, War, Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Torture, Vomit, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Violence, Colonisation, War, Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape
Minor: Trafficking
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
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, Classism
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, War
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Colonisation, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Confinement, Physical abuse, Sexism, Police brutality, Murder, Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault
Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Sexual violence
Zetian is the perfect encapsulation of the sentiment "I support women's wrongs". I think that the way this book explores the complex emotions that Zetian has about her rise to the heights of power is incredibly interesting. Zhao's writing emphasizes Zetian's internal struggle for independence versus her feelings of belonging within a group. This inner battle is explored in even greater detail as the story progresses and Zetian develops her political alliance and fosters the integration of women into greater places of power.
Also, Zhao's finessed writing of the side characters made me feel the same way about them that Zetian does throughout the story. They each served to highlight the war occurring within and outside the court demonstrating authoritarian and patriarchal approaches to conflict. As Zetian is often swept to the side during important political decisions for a man's opinion the plot continues to highlight the rage that builds inside Zetian throughout the first book. Furthermore, it helps to improve the reader's understanding as Zetian begins to make her political calculations.
Layered on top of exploring the characters, Zhao also articulates the political intrigues of the imperial court. This subplot has a strong sense of authenticity, due to the book's roots in the biography of the real Wu Zetian. The nuanced discussion of the problems encountered by the revolutionary government was also approached in such an interesting way that allowed Zetian to show growth in her political understanding as well as demonstrate her humanity to the people of Huaxia. Zhao was also able to highlight that having a seat at the table is not the same thing as having equality within a society.
The ending of this book was wild. I know that there is some source material used for the basis of this book that I am not aware of, but I did feel that the final portion of the book was a bit rushed. I am also confused about where the battle lines are now drawn between the different factions of the book. Maybe a reread or the next book will provide some clarity, but I'm not entirely sure what to make of these events. Also, I'm not sure what Zetian gained through her actions.
Overall, an enthralling read. If you love morally grey characters, battles, and political intrigue I would highly recommend it.
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism