Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Iron Widow - Seele in Ketten

Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

Iron Widow - Seele in Ketten by Xiran Jay Zhao

163 reviews

sheyri's review against another edition

4.0

challenging inspiring reflective 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

Content Warnings

zeros_and_ones's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

violetends's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional 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: Yes

This was certainly a wild ride. A bit more heavy-handed than the first and definitely way more political. I thoroughly enjoyed the exploration of the revolutionary efforts and once again felt like the characters aren't idealistic images to strive for but rather contemplations about these specific characters' behaviour within the conditions the plot confronts them with. And thus also explorations of specific types of theoretic PoVs if their proponents were to end up in this situation. (Looking at you, purely theory-driven type of masc communist who'd throw an angry tantrum if anyone suggests the inclusion of intersectional perspectives.)

I was definitely taken aback by the not-romance subplot and I still don't know how to feel about it. Even though I have to say,

communism-adjacent revolutionary leader Qin Zheng suggesting "private property" as sexual safe word had me laughing out loud.

Unfortunately, the big revelation at the end felt quite predictable as with the first novel. Nevertheless, so much tension and high-paced fun! I really really hope there's going to be a third book!

Content Warnings

kmart_ceo's review against another edition

4.5

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: Yes

I don’t think the sequel is as good as the first book. Maybe that’s just because there’s WAYYYY more going on and

there was no Shimin (for the most part)

. The plot twists had my jaw dropping, and I started having a hard time keeping track of who I am supposed to hate.

Content Warnings

kal517's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous 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: Yes

Content Warnings

blackknight4449's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

A modern retelling that combines mecha-anime and historical China in a thrilling manner. I did not put this down after I passed page 200. I have never identified more with the protagonist and the antagonist at the same time for WILDLY different reasons. I have too much to say and too little time to say it. Suffice to say that this book goes above and beyond other similar science fiction of its type. It should have won the Hugo Award.

Content Warnings

juniperbranches's review against another edition

4.0

dark informative reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I LOVE that Zeitian maintained So much of her feminine rage. Loved how hateable but reasonable Qin Zheng was. I’m a big fan of sneaking conversations about power wealth and consent into a YA novel but comes off a little dry and educational in some spots. I can’t decide if I like where the author seems to be directing the series, but I like that scope they’ve given the story.

Content Warnings

orion_allthoughts's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

wendylcallahan's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark reflective tense medium-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

What a wild ride for book 2! Looking forward to book 3 and where the story goes next.

Content Warnings

chanlo1994's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Rated it a step lower because the pace was slow for my personal liking. I think this is going to be a very important book for 2025, especially with the new polical cycle we will be facing. Honestly. My first thought was "this is what happens when we let children be in control of a government" 😂 I am absolutely looking forward to book 3. It's also important to note that bodily consent is not limited to sexual acts. It's includes anything done to your body with or without your knowledge and this is violated several times in the book.

Content Warnings

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