Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Wow, this series cranks to 100 with every addition. An interesting remaining of a sci-fi flavored history. These characters are flawed and some i love and some I love to hate. Excited for the next addition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
dark
reflective
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
Ok the beginning and end of this book are fantastic but the middle is way too fucking long. We spend what feels like an eternity only spending time with Zetian & Qin Zheng, navigating the relationship between the two of them and them learning how to govern. We could’ve spent half as much time on this and it would’ve been way better. Seeing the fallout from the end of the last book and how that transitioned into learning how to govern and navigate a new nation and culture I liked but we spend so much time with all the ins and outs of that and a lot of useless detail that I really did not enjoy. I also found Qin Zheng to be insufferable. He is a well written character, that’s not the problem. The problem is that he’s just very hateable and it took way too long for him to get (what I saw as an inevitable conclusion) which was Zetian betraying him and her going back to Yizhi and Shimin. I also didn’t like how they were basically only entirely new characters except for Zetian. I didn’t like how Yizhi and Shimin (for overly contrived plot related reasons) were relegated to minor/entirely absent characters when I thought they were the best part of the first book. The beginning and ending fourths of the book I really like but that middle half was ROUGH. I would recommend if you liked iron widow to read this one as well but be warned: this one might test your patience and resolve to keep reading (as it did mine)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, War, Classism
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Child death, Confinement, Hate crime, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Classism
Moderate: Eating disorder
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book! Great cast of characters who all suck in their unique ways.
It's definitely a slower read than the first book, because it's much more concerned with politics, but I once I started to get antsy the plot always kicked in.
It's definitely a slower read than the first book, because it's much more concerned with politics, but I once I started to get antsy the plot always kicked in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Murder, War
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Classism
Minor: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Transphobia, Vomit, Lesbophobia
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Def not as incredible as the first but I’ll still read the next one (wasn’t this supposed to be a duology tho?)
Listen I love political fantasy (or sci-fi) but there was just too much political plot in this one. And I missed a certain someone from book 1 (iykyk)
3.75⭐️1💕1.5🌶️4🎧
Listen I love political fantasy (or sci-fi) but there was just too much political plot in this one. And I missed a certain someone from book 1 (iykyk)
3.75⭐️1💕1.5🌶️4🎧
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, War
Minor: Confinement, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical trauma, Murder, War, Classism
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Xiran Jay Zhao rapidly became one of my favorite authors. I am also Chinese American and I have learned so much about my heritage and culture from them. I'm a fan of their writing and social media presence. They are vocally Pro-Palestine and speak out on other global issues.
We've waited so long for the sequel (the author talks about why that was on their social media) and it's finally here! It's filled with action, mechas, complex power struggles, political action, revolution, destroying the patriarchy, and eating the rich.
The exposition was great and engaging. I was immediately sucked in. Even in parts where it got heavily political, I was still into it because I agree with the author's stance on politics and our need for a revolution. Qin Zheng was a great addition to the cast. He's a formidable opponent/ally to Zetian and the power struggle between them is interesting. In the times that it read as a manifesto, it took me out of the story a bit. I wanted it to be more integrated in the story and I think readers who kind of get these concepts and ideas would have an easier time absorbing and thinking about them. I think a lot of the scenes were necessary and interesting, likegoing to Shimin's old home . However, I also felt like this book was too long. While I don't read books longer than 350 pages often, I think the book could've been shorter without sacrificing the plot or message.
They kind of lost me in the last 75 pages. I was honestly a little confused about the setting and the things they encounter. While it is a sci-fi, I felt like it broke my mind a bit and challenged what I thought, but that was happening to Zetian so I experienced what she did. I don't mind the ending, I wasn't sure how it was going to wrap up anyways. BUT we got a lovely "To be continued" so Zetian story continues!!!
I like the first book more, but this was still a strong sequel! I'm still waiting and hoping for a screen adaptation because seeing this story visually come to life would be incredible.
Make sure you check the author's social media and website to make the author's amendment to page 434. Right after the line,"It's YOUR turn," the author would like to change the next lines to, "We can sculpt anything out of spirit metal. I could even FEEL through it. We can make this work." The author wants to make it crystal clear that Qin Zheng is getting pegged. We stan. You can download and print the amendment from their website.
We've waited so long for the sequel (the author talks about why that was on their social media) and it's finally here! It's filled with action, mechas, complex power struggles, political action, revolution, destroying the patriarchy, and eating the rich.
The exposition was great and engaging. I was immediately sucked in. Even in parts where it got heavily political, I was still into it because I agree with the author's stance on politics and our need for a revolution. Qin Zheng was a great addition to the cast. He's a formidable opponent/ally to Zetian and the power struggle between them is interesting. In the times that it read as a manifesto, it took me out of the story a bit. I wanted it to be more integrated in the story and I think readers who kind of get these concepts and ideas would have an easier time absorbing and thinking about them. I think a lot of the scenes were necessary and interesting, like
They kind of lost me in the last 75 pages. I was honestly a little confused about the setting and the things they encounter. While it is a sci-fi, I felt like it broke my mind a bit and challenged what I thought, but that was happening to Zetian so I experienced what she did. I don't mind the ending, I wasn't sure how it was going to wrap up anyways. BUT we got a lovely "To be continued" so Zetian story continues!!!
I like the first book more, but this was still a strong sequel! I'm still waiting and hoping for a screen adaptation because seeing this story visually come to life would be incredible.
Make sure you check the author's social media and website to make the author's amendment to page 434. Right after the line,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Sexual content, Torture, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Minor: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual assault
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh my gosh. I cried physically twice when listening to this book, but many more times within my head. Beautiful read. Reading about systematic change occurring, even in a fictional world, is still inspiring. I loved reading a book that talked about dismantling laws, how it's messy and that progress can be made-while still also being wrong and harmful. There is a difference between less pain and actually healing, and this book demonstrates that. I loved that queer side characters were included, and the story briefly talked about queer peoples importance. Oh it was also cool to read about safe sex. I also loved that there was a breakdown of complex topics. I really loved reading this book!
The way that Wu Zetian is written is ah idk how to explain it. She is incredibly selfish and uneducated. However, she has a lot of character growth in learning how politics, economics, and laws have been created. She also finally recognizes that other women exist, even though I don't think she ever gets to the point where she doesn't believe she's not the center of the world. I think this is pretty accurate of the average person though. Most of us are so wrapped up in our own thoughts and experiences, we forget that we exist in communities with others.
I believe it's important to critically think, so I do have a couple critques. Despite Zhao's AMAZING writting exploring the dismantling of gender, class, and capitalistic systems (and slightly ablism)-there is no exploration of dismantling powers that support race. Throughout the book, there is about two or three mentions of people with different skin colors, but there isn't a discussion about it at all. Now, I do get that American racism is different from other parts of the world's racism/colorism, but I geninuely doubt that a fictional world that has capitalism and sexism remains without racism/colorism. If this aspect was included, this book would have been a 5 star for me. It's also important to recognize the violence throughout both books. I don't believe that true governmental changes can occur without some violence, but I do believe real change has more love and more community in it. I think this series should have been a duology though. I'll 100% still read the third book, but I'll agree with other reviews that this story should have ended here. Also the end lmao, wild.
I loved that there was a call to action at the end of this book. Zhao starts and ends their book very beautifully. It's warmth to read trigger warnings, clarifications about the origins that are tied but not directly reflective of history, and clarifications about systematic change.
"It is not human nature to accept subjugation."
The way that Wu Zetian is written is ah idk how to explain it. She is incredibly selfish and uneducated. However, she has a lot of character growth in learning how politics, economics, and laws have been created. She also finally recognizes that other women exist, even though I don't think she ever gets to the point where she doesn't believe she's not the center of the world. I think this is pretty accurate of the average person though. Most of us are so wrapped up in our own thoughts and experiences, we forget that we exist in communities with others.
I believe it's important to critically think, so I do have a couple critques. Despite Zhao's AMAZING writting exploring the dismantling of gender, class, and capitalistic systems (and slightly ablism)-there is no exploration of dismantling powers that support race. Throughout the book, there is about two or three mentions of people with different skin colors, but there isn't a discussion about it at all. Now, I do get that American racism is different from other parts of the world's racism/colorism, but I geninuely doubt that a fictional world that has capitalism and sexism remains without racism/colorism. If this aspect was included, this book would have been a 5 star for me. It's also important to recognize the violence throughout both books. I don't believe that true governmental changes can occur without some violence, but I do believe real change has more love and more community in it. I think this series should have been a duology though. I'll 100% still read the third book, but I'll agree with other reviews that this story should have ended here. Also the end lmao, wild.
I loved that there was a call to action at the end of this book. Zhao starts and ends their book very beautifully. It's warmth to read trigger warnings, clarifications about the origins that are tied but not directly reflective of history, and clarifications about systematic change.
"It is not human nature to accept subjugation."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Classism
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
For about 350 of the ~500 pages of this novel, I felt like I was being spoon-fed The Communist Manifesto for 6th Graders.
My biggest issue with the Iron Widow was that Zeitan's railing against the patriarchy (fair!) was always rehashed in full every time it came up in the novel. This happened again in Heavenly Tyrant, but in addition to pages and pages of rehashed explanations about the patriarchy, there were now also pages and pages (each time) of explanations against end stage capitalism and for communism. There were, admittedly, lines about the cruelties being enacted in the name of the New Order. But for a character famous for questioning authority in Iron Widow, Zeitan just kind of...accepted the atrocities of the New Order without question.
A lot of the events of the novel were also just summarized after the fact by one or two sentences. Instead of detailing, for example, the formation and day to day running of the Phoenix Alliance, we're just told that it happened. There's a council! But who's on it? How did the other organizations feel about being absorbed? Was it without discussion? I don't know, because despite Zeitan telling me how important this is to her and how involved she is with it, Zhao doesn't prove it in their writing.
There is also very little dialogue in the book, despite there being plenty of opportunity for discussions. Meetings between characters are summarized. Zeitan and Qielou apparently spend many evenings dream sharing. What was that like? How did it make them feel about each other? It's said it's a very intimate experience. But I would not be able to point to a single passage demonstrating that, other than the one sentence where it's told to me without backup. What dialogue there is, is often exclamations by both characters that sound frighteningly like a TikTok skit script where a single TikToker is the single actor playing multiple parts - uniformly staccato.
I had a lot of hopes for this book, and I did enjoy some parts of it (notably, the first 50 pages and last 100). It was a quick read, if not an engaging or satisfying one. I'll definitely read the third and final book when it arrives, but I'm not sure I would recommend the series as a whole as it stands now.
My biggest issue with the Iron Widow was that Zeitan's railing against the patriarchy (fair!) was always rehashed in full every time it came up in the novel. This happened again in Heavenly Tyrant, but in addition to pages and pages of rehashed explanations about the patriarchy, there were now also pages and pages (each time) of explanations against end stage capitalism and for communism. There were, admittedly, lines about the cruelties being enacted in the name of the New Order. But for a character famous for questioning authority in Iron Widow, Zeitan just kind of...accepted the atrocities of the New Order without question.
A lot of the events of the novel were also just summarized after the fact by one or two sentences. Instead of detailing, for example, the formation and day to day running of the Phoenix Alliance, we're just told that it happened. There's a council! But who's on it? How did the other organizations feel about being absorbed? Was it without discussion? I don't know, because despite Zeitan telling me how important this is to her and how involved she is with it, Zhao doesn't prove it in their writing.
There is also very little dialogue in the book, despite there being plenty of opportunity for discussions. Meetings between characters are summarized. Zeitan and Qielou apparently spend many evenings dream sharing. What was that like? How did it make them feel about each other? It's said it's a very intimate experience. But I would not be able to point to a single passage demonstrating that, other than the one sentence where it's told to me without backup. What dialogue there is, is often exclamations by both characters that sound frighteningly like a TikTok skit script where a single TikToker is the single actor playing multiple parts - uniformly staccato.
I had a lot of hopes for this book, and I did enjoy some parts of it (notably, the first 50 pages and last 100). It was a quick read, if not an engaging or satisfying one. I'll definitely read the third and final book when it arrives, but I'm not sure I would recommend the series as a whole as it stands now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Pregnancy